Retail

Portland entrepreneur expands gift vending business

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August 16, 2021

Portland entrepreneur Taylor Valdés has created a business stocking vending machines in bars, boutiques and other retail outlets offering locally produced art and other gift items, according to an oregonlive.com report.

Since launching The Venderia in 2013, Valdés crafts a third of the items in her home garage studio, such as animal figurines in brown baggies with a "Find your inner animal" note by Valdés about the energy related to the animal.

She gets a third of the items at a Goodwill outlet store where she finds used books and CDs that fit into the machines.

Another third of the items come from local artists Valdés partners with.

In response to inquiries, Valdés has created a six-part online course for operating a non-traditional vending business, covering where to buy machines, how to manage inventory and how to find locations and more.