02 Oct Making the Rounds with RJ
Feeling hangry and it’s only first period? Not to worry! 12th grader Robert (RJ!) Lewis has you covered with a stocked vending machine right on campus. We caught up with this young entrepreneur between restocking and his active involvement at SET High, a tuition-free 9th-12th high school in San Diego.
Why did you choose to enroll at SET High?
I chose to enroll at SET because when going into high school I specifically wanted the same small school experience as my middle school and the best recommendation from my teachers was SET. I wanted a smaller school with a closer and more cohesive community rather than an expansive and large one and SET was the perfect choice for me.
Are you involved in activities or events (clubs, Arts, tutoring, sports, etc) at SET?
In terms of activities or events I am involved in:
- ASB: Senior Vice President
- SET Senate: Secretary/Scribe
- Cross Country: Co-Captain
- Clubs: Lettering Club
- Other: Vending Machine owner
Can you tell us about your vending machine business? What was the inspiration to update the vending machine?
The inspiration came from a desire to look for a passion project but have something enticing that I could work with. More inspiration came when the previous vending machine owner was selling the machine as they were moving away and I was interested in it. I was not fully certain at the time but the moment that convinced me was a late-night call with my friend and now business partner who convinced me to purchase the vending machine and truly make it work.
What has been the feedback from students about the items you’re selling?
The feedback from students has varied over time but particularly it is their voice that guides what I have to sell and offer. Sometimes it is something as simple as a different variation of a snack, such as strawberry Pop-Tarts instead of cinnamon or watermelon gum instead of mint, to full suggestions for drinks and other more exotic candies.
The most popular snacks are Takis by far and generally speaking simple things like Chex Mix, gum and strangely, cinnamon rolls.
Are you making a profit off the items or is this just for fun?
Admittedly I do make a profit off of the items that I sell through the vending machine, but this is after giving a part of my revenue to the school as a donation, as per my contract with Dr. McCurdy. On top of that, I would like to consider all the times I waived or reduced people’s debts to me as a part of giving back to the school in exchange for the money that I do make off of this.
Is a second vending machine in the works?
Though I sincerely wanted to expand the business, a few reasons stopped it from happening.
Given I am a student in high school, I will have to graduate at some point, meaning I don’t have infinite time to build up capital to expand and get another machine, which costs considerable amounts of money which has to be saved.
Additionally, while SET is a wonderful environment to grow a new business, it doesn’t work great for expansion as there are only so many students.
Lastly, the agreement that I made with Dr. McCurdy was specifically written to create more variety and requires by contract that the second vending machine be a drink vending machine. Due to the added cost of refrigeration and the lower margins on drinks, the success of a feasible -let alone profitable- drinks vending machine was off the table.
What are your current plans for after high school? Do they involve vending machines or other business ideas?
My personal plans look like attempting to go to the Air Force Academy and receive flight training, but a backup plan and secondary idea that I would be fully content with would go into business. My time operating the vending machine showed that I am not only happy with bookkeeping and business management but that I am capable and can do it, making me want to look into business as a potential future opportunity thanks to what I could do at SET with the vending machine.
What is your best memory of your time at SET so far?
My best memories at SET are the dances, being with my friends, and the pep rallies as these were some of the most unique and best times that I truly enjoyed while at SET. While varied they all are unforgettable moments of my high school experience.
Please name three to five fun / interesting facts about you.
- I wore a Disney Racoon Hat around for easily an entire month of my first year of high school. I did this with a friend of mine and it is one of those funny moments that I look back on when I did things like that.
- I move around with a large bag full of additional ramen and other foodstuffs that I sell during the school day. It aids in the revenue of the vending machine but makes me move around like a slow merchant ship.
- I have one dog, three cats and about four fish that are all my lovely pets.
- I am notorious for eating a truly impressive amount of In-N-Out burgers.
Thanks RJ, for sharing more about your vending machine business and your time at SET High!
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About SET High
SET High offers each student individual attention from multi-talented, highly qualified teachers. Students at our California Distinguished School (twice awarded!) build a healthy camaraderie with classmates inside an intellectually rigorous environment that brings out their talents and personality, helping them develop their individual character and direction in life. With a wide variety of electives, flexible scheduling, dual enrollment college classes and more — our students regularly exceed their academic and personal expectations. Enroll now. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Find us at www.sethigh.org.