27: Meet Matt Miller, Founder of School Spirit Vending

Matt is a proud graduate of the Air Force Academy,
and spent nearly a decade as a pilot for the Air Force.
As much as he loved flying and the work he was doing,
he was sick of being a pen pal with his wife,
and decided to leave the military, and enter the private sector.
Matt's early career, and the jobs he took after leaving the service,
are not the standard background for the successful business owner he's become.
But there's one really important trait he shares with
the most successful people in the world:
Humility.
After graduating from one of the most prestigious universities in the country, flying some of the military's largest aircraft,
and financial success in the corporate world, Matt found himself in a tough spot.
His finances were not keeping up with the cost of raising three children.
Sound familiar?
Well, Matt didn't sit around and moan, or blame anyone else for his predicament.
On the contrary.
And the example he set for his wife and children, is one that all of us can learn from.
He collected aluminum cans and sold them back. He sold used books on Amazon.
He delivered pizza for 18 months.
He did anything he could to feed his family.
All the while, he was inspired by the book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki,
and was determined to find enough passive income to allow him to leave his J.O.B.
It all started with a gumball machine.
He started with a used machine he bought for $36, and used the quarters from that machine to buy the next one, and the next one...
Eventually, he had 130 machines around the Houston area.
Things were going great, until the recession hit, and sales began to tank.
But, fortune shines on those of us who are paying attention.
And Matt is always paying attention.
After a couple neighborhood kids came to his door raising money for a school fundraiser,
Matt came up with an idea for schools to raise money
without having to send kids out in to neighborhoods...
Vending machines selling stickers in schools.
And the rest is history.
Matt is a conservative guy, and didn't quit his job until he was making
four times as much money from the vending machine business,
as he was making at his "real job."
As the demand for his machines grew, Matt didn't rest on his laurels. Not hardly.
He now has over 70 franchisees in states across the country.
And a comic book with super hero characters that is about to go nationwide.
Matt also offered an excellent reminder that
financial success is not necessarily the end of the journey.
His success lead him to get kinda lazy.
Fortunately for him, and for the many families he has impacted,
Matt ran into a coach that changed his life.
Aaron Walker.
Aaron's coaching continues to mentor and guide Matt as he continues to grow his business, and not settle for less than he is capable of achieving.
Matt is an excellent reminder that we can all benefit from the wisdom of a mentor...
If we remain humble enough to accept that we don't know it all.
And just in case you think there can't be much money in vending machines,
Matt's machines have raised over $4 million for education in only ten years.
Fifty cents at a time.
Think about that. Those quarters really do add up!
Matt's book suggestions are:
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
Tom added another book, by Matt's coach, View From the Top, by Aaron Walker
Check out School Spirit Vending at ssvbusiness.com
You can find Matt's ebook at ssvbusiness.com/360