Mycha Chicago & LA LLC

Story Time - Small Business & Competition I recently shared my experience of?launching a boba vending machine and how thrilled I was to?run a business where I had control over my successes and failures. Well last year, a competition?tried to shut us down. I received?a call from the Health Department and received a tip that a complaint came from a competitor. The problem was that this unknown competitor was trying to start a boba vending machine business and got stuck when trying to obtain?NAMA or NSF equivalent validation. These organizations exist to ensure that the machines dealing with perishable food are under standards of food safety. It also meant investing thousands of dollars in yearly renewal fees, research, and obtaining necessary certifications and documents - ultimately requiring even more financial investment. We were given a deadline to obtain a separate vending permit certification. We handled it, got it done, and kept moving forward. But at that moment, seeing a business I had poured so much time and effort into almost come to a halt was a wake-up call. I understand that competition is simply part of running a business. However, it can also be seen as a form of collaboration. Competitors in a similar category have reached out to us. I like making more friends in an industry that has traditionally been older and less tech-driven although in recent years this has been slowly?changing for the US market. With new vending specialty concepts emerging, there are more opportunities than ever to innovate how food is presented and packaged. I welcome the chance to connect with others in this space to exchange ideas and make a new friend or two.?We are also looking for a Vending Machine Technician with an engineering background which would be a huge plus! #nationalvendingday?Mycha Chicago & LA LLC

We're #hiring a new Vending Machine Technician in Greater Los Angeles, California. Apply today or share this post with your network.

It's been two years since the Mycha boba vending machine launched in Los Angeles. As I reflect on my experiences managing international shipments with a logistics company and selling software in the food and tech industries, I'm grateful for how these roles have shaped me both personally and professionally. My mom once told me that making money for others isn't easy, particularly when it involves cold-calling businesses with strong emotional ties to specific brands. There were times when it felt nearly impossible and disheartening, especially with all the repeated rejections. But then you get used to rejection. Don't take it personally. You just keep going. A couple of years ago, I told a C-level executive that I didn't want to be working in an office by the time I reached my 40s. I wanted freedom, time, and less pressure. Many people claim that running your own business simply replaces the 9-5 with a 9-9, and they're not wrong. There were days I found myself making and delivering boba drinks until after 3 a.m., followed by early mornings with international client demos at 5 a.m. For the record, I'm not trying to highlight how difficult my life was because it wasn't after reflecting on the days that were both physically and mentally demanding. Working on Mycha I still have long hours here and there. Our team?had all-nighters to?obtain NAMA (National Automatic Merchandising Association) last year. We still have late 2-3 am nights driving around and "re-configuring" our machines and checking that it is clean. I don't mind it one bit. I'm incredibly proud of our team producing nearly 1,000 drinks a day from our small, humble kitchen in Vernon, CA. What makes it even more rewarding is that this business is self-funded, employs over four dedicated team members, and continues to hit record-breaking sales year after year. I couldn't have done it alone and I credit hard work, resilience, smart people around me, and supportive family and friends. Thank you for reading this far! I was a Communication major with a Literature Writing minor so I'm putting my degree to good use ??. Mycha Chicago & LA LLC #vending #smallbusiness #losangeles

It's been a year since we launched in the Los Angeles Market (since 2023!) ?? and five years in Chicagoland! We are thankful for the popularity and demand of Mycha's boba vending. We have 10 locations so far and there's more to come this year.