We had the good fortune of connecting with Rene Riley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rene, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m sure my story begins as most entrepreneurs do; we typically have a passion for new beginnings. I am an Army veteran who transitioned into insurance auto claims, the collections industry and civil service. I had a yearning to be in control of my own universe. My thought process was to find a business that would be profitable, enjoyable, simplistic and self-sustaining. Plain and simple, I wanted to be my own boss and have 100% command of my destiny.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I proudly own and operate several snack/sodas vending machines. The majority of these machines are located at the Broadmoor Hotel which has been named Forbes’ longest running five-star hotel in the world. I purchased the business via Facebook marketplace in 2021. The business is debt free, as it was a cash purchase.

I created an LLC, hence, Snack Attach Vending by Rene LLC, was born. I truly had zero experience in vending machine ownership, operations and maintenance. I feverishly searched for a local mentor, but to no avail. I began my search for knowledge through the internet. This was an extremely frustrating and exhausting process.

Here’s a little of what I’ve learned:

-My best chance for success was, good old-fashioned, on the job training.
-With the help of my brothers, I was able to move machines from one location to a more profitable location.
-With the help of vending technical support, I was able to remedy known glitches in my machine.
-I am still teachable and can declare proudly that I still have the ability to learn and grow.

Running my own business has not been easy, per se. Rain, shine or snow I am restocking my machines at least 3 times a week. I shop at Sam’s club weekly, fill my tank bi-weekly and am in constant need of coin rolls.  As a one (wo)man show, I truly have no real complaints.

I’ve also learned that I must always keep my eye on the pulse of pricing and popular products. I’m consistently reviewing the competition’s pricing and product selections.

What would I want the world to know? I know it’s an absolute cliche’, however, the truth is; if I can do it, anyone can do it!  I am an over 55 African American woman who works for herself in a male dominated field.  I lift, drag, price, purchase and make countless decision that can possibly “make or break” me financially.  I am extremely proud of how far I’ve come and look forward to further improvements in the 2024!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take her to Garden of the Gods and COATI

The Garden of the Gods is peaceful and majestic landmark, located here in Colorado Springs. We would drive slowly through the scenic red rocks while breathing the refreshing mountain air.  It’s not uncommon to see hikers or rock climbers, enjoying this beautiful national landmark.  I’m continuously reminding my friends and family members to drink plenty of water and to move slowly, as Garden of the Gods has an elevation 6,400 feet above sea level.  We never leave the area without posing next to the balancing rocks or the kissing camels.

Next, I would take her to COATI!
COATI (pronounced: coo-what-tee) is described as event space/food hall.
The atmosphere is electric! There are numerous food and drink specialty restaurants and bars. COATI features 2 spaces for bands or performers, outdoor firepits and plenty of seating. This place is a total vibe. I never head home without snatching up my favorite cuisine, Kimchi over fries!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to extend a much-deserved shout-out to my daughter, Jazmin!  After decades of working for corporate America, I was ready for my self-development.  As a result, I stepped out of my comfort-zone to find my own success.  I sold a rental property, and on faith, I planned to invest the equity into a start-up business.  I had several friends and family members that were not supportive of my self-employment. These naysayers provided me with many reasons as to how I could fail.  Not my daughter, Jazmin! She supported me in every way possible. I considered purchasing a night club, a car wash, a dry cleaner, a laundromat even a childcare center.  My daughter, Jaz, was a pride passenger on my journey from day one.  I had considered vending machines previously, however, when she suggested vending machines again, I took notice.  I researched the pros and cons and decided to make a purchase.  Jazmin was and continues to be my most enthusiastic supporter. She deserves praise for being the daughter all parents dream of. Jazmin, you are worthy of my praise and adoration, and I thank you for your support!

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.