Tag Archive for: Start an ATM business

How to Start an ATM Business with No Money

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If we said we could tell you how to start an ATM business with no money, would you believe us? It’s no secret that an ATM business has low startup costs compared to other business models. That’s one reason why it’s the ultimate side hustle.

Of course, starting an ATM business will require some startup money. But what if you could find other ways to come up with the money? What if you could start an ATM business today without thousands of dollars already saved up? Here, we’ll share some tips that can allow you to get creative with funding your business. Then, you’ll be left with absolutely no excuses keeping you from getting started.

How to Purchase Equipment

The biggest startup cost will be the ATM machine or equipment itself. You can expect this to cost around $2,000-$3,000 for just one machine. That is considerably low compared to what it costs to start a brick and mortar or other business. But not everybody has that kind of money available. So, if you want to know how to start an ATM business with no money, you have a few options.

Use a Credit Card

If you have a credit card or can open one, you can purchase an ATM machine on credit. The cost of a machine is usually within the range of credit limits. Plus, you can find a good deal where you are offered little or no interest for a certain period of time. This allows you to start generating revenue before interest accrues. This can speed up your return on investment (ROI). You even have the chance to pay off the balance with your ATM revenue before the interest kicks in!

Lease

Another option is ATM leasing, but it is much less common these days. The price of ATM equipment is not as high as it used to be. So, it often makes more sense to purchase a machine on credit than to lease. Unless you’re considering purchasing several ATM machines, it might be more profitable to borrow instead of lease due to the rates on bank financing.

If you have great credit and only want to lease the actual ATM equipment, you can get a lease for as low as $55/mo. Benefits of leasing include a fixed payment, tax deduction, and recuperation of your monthly payment by your business revenue. 

However, an out-right purchase has an ROI of between 3 and 18 months depending on the situation. The national average of all our ATM operators have an ROI of 8.5 months based on a $2 surcharge. Thereby, you avoid the necessity of a long-term ATM machine lease.

Apply for a Loan

You might not have friends and family willing and able to lend you some money to start your ATM business. But you may be able to get a line of credit (LOC) from your bank or other commercial lender. Since $5,000 is a very small loan (microloan), you could consider increasing the line to help cover other expenses if you choose to go this route. 

It’s a bit of a hassle to get a loan. So it might not be worth it to get a loan for less than $25,000 when you could purchase the equipment with a credit card. But some banks will open an LOC for $5,000-$15,000 if you have a good track record with them and decent credit. 

To apply for an LOC, simply visit your bank or other institution where you have money in an account. Interest on a regular loan starts immediately. But on an LOC it only starts once you take the cash, and you only pay interest on the outstanding balance. So prepare yourself before you start using it. Keep in mind, too, that most traditional business start-up loans will require a decent credit score.

Qualify for a Financing Program

Third party business funding is a great way to get cash if you have locations waiting for ATMs and simply need to find the money to purchase the equipment. You can see if you qualify to get financing to start your ATM business. There is no charge to check, and no inquiry will go on your credit report.

All you do is fill out the quick pre-qualification application. Then, a financing representative will give you a call to collect the rest of your information. A soft inquiry will follow. Lastly, the financing rep will let you know what you’ve been approved for in your area based on your credit.

You will know within minutes whether or not you have been approved. If you proceed with the loan, the third party loan provider will work on your behalf to secure multiple revolving credit cards (up to ten) with varying amounts of credit. The total available line of credit could be between $25,000 and $100,000 based on your creditworthiness. So this is really only an option if you are looking to purchase multiple machines. 

The third party will work to secure all of your credit cards to include up to 18 months of no interest. You complete the online form. They qualify you for free and do all of the work to secure your loans without inquiries on your credit report. There is no upfront fee; you don’t pay anything out of pocket. 

However, upon approval and when you receive your first revolving line of credit, a flat fee of $2,997 charges to the first credit card you receive. This way, you’re not out of pocket and have up to 18 months to pay the fee and any other charges you incur on the cards received.

How to Provide Vault Cash

Another ATM business expense is the vault cash. This is the money you will load into the machine for your customers to withdraw. Now, at the end of the day this money is yours, but it will be tied up in your business. And you need it immediately. So how can you easily get $2,000 cash to stock your ATM machine?

Other People’s Money

One option is what we like to call other people’s money, or OPM. Technically, OPM is a slang term used in finance to refer to financial leverage in the form of borrowed capital that is used to increase the potential returns as well as the risks of an investment. However, in the case of an ATM business, it simply means you can fund your venture with help from family, friends, or a business partner in return for an agreed upon share of your business revenue.

Financing

If you decide to finance your business, you might be able to cover your cash needs from this same source. However, keep in mind that normally the credit cards aren’t used for obtaining vault cash. But, if you speak with the loan provider, you may be able to pay an additional small fee to pull cash off the cards.

Location Funding

This is probably the most common option for cash vaulting when an ATM operator is short on funds. You can make this service part of the agreement with the location owner. When you negotiate the placement of your ATM machine in someone else’s business, you will need to discuss the need for the location to provide the vault cash as part of the agreement. 

Obviously, this is only an option if the location owner agrees to this arrangement. In this scenario, you will need to be willing to offer a larger share of your surcharge revenue. This will compensate the location owner for the extra work and responsibility. You will also end up reliant upon him or her for the seamless operation of your business. 

For example, if something happens where the location owner fails to restock the machine, you are out of business until you have cash to offer customers. If you are able to handle the vaulting yourself, on the other hand, you have more control over your business and assume less risk of down time.

What Can Wait

Finally, when planning how to start an ATM business with no money, you want to make sure you stick to the bare necessities to start. Purchase just enough to get going. Then, as you begin to generate revenue with your machine, you can budget for other add-ons and services to enhance your business as you go. 

You will have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to purchasing equipment. You will have to consider screen size, lighting, cassettes, locks, cameras, etc. But many of these upgrades can be added later; they aren’t completely necessary to get started.

Be strategic as you weigh “need to have” against “nice to have”. Bells and whistles can always be added. But you also want to make your ROI as soon as possible. You can only do that with a competitive machine. So if you need help making these decisions, talk to someone with experience in the industry or a trusted ATM vendor. 

How to Start an ATM Business with No Money

The cost to start an ATM business is so low that you technically now know how to start an ATM business with no money. Keep your initial budget limited to equipment that is need to have versus nice to have. Borrow from friends and family when you can, or enter into a business partnership. Seek financing when it makes sense for your business model. Work with a reputable financier who will offer you a fair deal based on the revenue you anticipate and the rate at which you will reasonably be able to make your ROI.

If you still have questions about how to start an ATM business with no money, don’t hesitate to contact us today! You can also check out our comprehensive list of FAQs about how to get into the ATM business. These answers provide more information about what you can expect when getting started.

The Truth About Owning ATMs as a Business “Gurus” Aren’t Telling You

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Owning ATMs as a business can be a reality for anyone. With the right information, resources, and support, you could be making semi-passive income with ATM machines if that’s something you are interested in. But just because anyone can do it doesn’t mean that everyone should.

ATM business gurus often provide valuable insights and strategies. But they can sometimes overlook or downplay certain harsh realities of the ATM business world. There are some truths they might not emphasize but that you should be aware of before getting started. Making sure you properly manage your expectations and know exactly what’s ahead is your first step to success owning ATMs as a business.

There Is No Guaranteed Formula

You will often see ATM business gurus touting the wealth and success they’ve experienced owning ATMs as a business. They want you to know exactly what worked for them so that you can follow in their footsteps. 

But what this strategy fails to consider is the fact that each person has different business goals, obstacles, strengths, and weaknesses. What works for one person might not work for the next. And what each person wants out of an ATM business will vary as well. 

There are many ways to make money in the ATM industry. And there are many ways to run an ATM business. No two business models look exactly the same. So to be successful, don’t force yourself into someone else’s formula if it isn’t working for you, regardless of the promises.

Failures Are To Be Expected

Everyone makes mistakes. Successful entrepreneurs often have multiple failures behind them. The path to success is rarely linear and is often paved with setbacks. Fortunately, by following the guidance of gurus and ATM industry experts, you can avoid a lot of major failures and setbacks by learning from the mistakes of others. 

But if you are new to owning ATMs as a business, you will have to learn from your own mistakes as you go. Simply adjust and move forward with your new knowledge. There is really no mistake you can make that can’t be remedied. And the closer you adhere to ATM industry best practices, the fewer and smaller your mistakes will be.

One of the biggest misconceptions many gurus will promote is that owning ATMs as a business will be easy. Compared to other businesses, an ATM business is quite simple. But at the end of the day, it will still require effort to get up and running smoothly. If you can’t power through the challenges, you can’t expect success.

Do Not Expect to Get Rich Quick

Really, don’t expect to get rich at all. Owning ATMs as a business is a great, low-stakes way to generate some extra semi-passive income and maybe even replace your 9-5. But don’t expect to become a millionaire….

Don’t pressure yourself to grow quickly. Prioritize sustainability over rapid growth. Rapid growth is frequently glorified, but sustainable, steady growth is often more beneficial and less risky in the long run. Take your time, study your metrics, and adjust accordingly. If you focus on the business as a whole rather than simply generating more and more revenue, your service will be better and your business will succeed in turn.

Beware of Market Saturation and Competition

Entering a saturated market or facing intense competition can make it exceedingly difficult to gain traction. Not all cities have the same need for ATM service. So success owning ATMs as a business might be dependent on where you are located and the opportunities available. 

However, just because a location has an ATM in place already does not mean that it’s off the table. If the equipment is old, run-down, or frequently out-of-order, that could be an opportunity for you to offer a shiny new ATM. If a business owns its own ATM machine but is tired of maintaining it, that could be an opportunity. Or maybe you find a business that is unhappy with their current service and is eager to work with someone new.

High traffic, high demand locations, like casinos and clubs, are difficult to break into. This is where networking comes in handy. If you already know someone who is a decision-maker at a profitable location, then your chances of operating an ATM machine there improve.

Whatever the situation, it is your job to identify a gap in the market. If you see opportunities for ATM placement in your area, you can be successful owning ATMs as a business.

Be Open to Continuous Learning and Adaptation

Owning ATMs as a business will require a certain degree of flexibility. The business environment is constantly changing. Continuous learning, adaptability, and willingness to pivot are crucial for long-term success. 

Don’t expect to learn everything. Because as soon as you do, something will change. And if you don’t keep up with the changes and dedicate yourself to learning and improving, your business will suffer.

Learning the business is not something you do once. It is an ongoing part of being a business owner and entrepreneur. Don’t neglect this work in your business.

Influencers vs. Gurus vs. Mentors vs. Experts

ATM industry gurus are not all wrong or bad. However, be warned that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of influencers, gurus, and mentors online who are just after clout, views, and likes without really explaining how ATM business works. If you really want to know how a successful ATM business works from start to finish, take it from an expert whose success is tied to yours. 

How to Get Started Owning ATMs as a Business

Now, owning ATMs as a business is the ultimate side hustle because of its comparative simplicity, low overhead, and semi-passive revenue. But, like any business, it will come with its fair share of challenges. To be successful, you have to know your strengths and weaknesses and be able to move on from mistakes.

If you want to learn the ins and outs of owning ATMs as a business from someone who’s been in the industry for over thirty years, check out the ATM Business Road Map. What sets this training system apart from others is that it is risk-free and you don’t have to complete it before getting started!

You can use the ATM Business Road Map modules as reference material as you progress through your business journey. You have lifetime access to all training materials, so you can refer back to them any time you have a question about a particular situation.

If you are unhappy with the course or discover that owning ATMs as a business is not for you, just email us within 30 days of purchase or before you start Module 4.2 for a full refund.

Additionally, you can purchase equipment and receive processing from ATMDepot.com—everything all in one place. With this kind of information and support from experts dedicated to your success, you can confidently take the next step in owning ATMs as a business.

Get started today!

Still have questions? Contact us here.

15 Questions to Ask When Starting a Business

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There are a number of questions to ask when starting a business to make sure you have a plan and clear expectations. You don’t want to go into business blind, so asking yourself the right questions can help you prepare for success.

Here, we have 15 questions to ask when starting a business. While these questions usually apply to conventional small businesses, they apply to ATM businesses too. 

An ATM business is unconventional in the sense that you aren’t selling a product, you don’t work directly with the public, and you don’t own your own location. But an ATM business owner has many of the same responsibilities as any other business owner. 

There are certain universal considerations, decisions, and liabilities that go into starting a business. We’ve tried to summarize them here so that you can go into business for yourself as an ATM owner with a clear direction and no surprises along the way.

1. What is my business idea and expectations?

The first of many questions to ask when starting a business is what your idea and expectations are. There are many ways to start a business in the ATM industry. So what aspects appeal to you the most? 

Do you want to own and place your own machine? Do you want to start a route of many machines? Would you rather sell machines to locations that want to operate the ATM themselves? Would you like to negotiate placements for other ATM owners? Do you just want to sell a service to other ATM owners like vaulting or technical support? Are you interested in getting into Bitcoin ATMs? 

Once you have a clear idea of your business goal, you can start taking the appropriate steps in the right direction. Managing your expectations early on can save you time and money you’d spend changing your mind mid-way through the start-up process.

2. Is there a market for my service?

Your business idea might (and should) depend on the market. Consider where you live and what opportunities are available to you. If you live in a small town, you might have better success operating your own machine than trying to manage others as there might not be many other independent ATM deployers (IADs) in your area.

You also want to consider the placement of an ATM machine. Are you able to identify a gap in the market? Is there an area with a clear need for ATM service? Are there ATMs in your area that are often out-of-order, outdated, or poorly managed? 

These are questions to ask when starting a business in the ATM industry so that once you have your machine, you know where to put it and how well you expect it to perform. An ATM machine with no transactions won’t make you any money.

3. What are the initial startup costs?

You want to think about the initial startup costs of starting your business so that you know how to budget for and fund your business. As an IAD, you’ll want to plan for the costs of ATM equipment, installation and programming, and vault cash.

4. What are the ongoing expenses?

After the startup costs, how much should you expect to deduct from your revenue in operational costs? This might include ongoing maintenance, wireless service, insurance, and any revenue you share with other parties like the location owner. 

Not every ATM business has the same ongoing expenses. Some you will want to budget for right away; others you can add once you start making money. You may or may not have a revenue share, but you’ll figure that out when you negotiate the placement. But it’s good to have some money set aside for maintenance costs like technical support, tampering or vandalism, and cleaning supplies. 

5. How will I fund my business?

Once you have a good idea of the initial costs of starting an ATM business, you’ll need to figure out how to fund it. If you already have a few thousand dollars saved up, you can fund the business yourself. Fortunately, ATM business startup costs are relatively low, so you should be able to fund the business with your own money, via credit card, or through a loan from a friend or family member.

You might need to decide whether to register as a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, corporation, etc., based on legal and tax implications. You will want to set up your business bank account under this entity. A simple route for IADs is to create a sole proprietorship or an LLC and get a fictitious business name, a “doing business as” (DBA), to avoid conducting business under your own name.

7. What technology and tools do I need?

Operating your ATM machine will require some technology and tools. Some are nice-to-have and others are need-to-have. For example, the installation will require certain drills and bits. But you don’t have to handle the installation yourself. If you hire this part out, you don’t have to worry about procuring the installation tools.

Technology that is nice-to-have might include cameras for surveillance or a wireless router to avoid relying on a location’s unpredictable internet service provider. 

Technology that is need-to-have is remote online monitoring. You will want to be able to track your ATM activity from anywhere 24/7. This will help you keep your assets safe as well as keep your machine up and running without any lapses in service.

8. How will I handle day-to-day operations?

Just like you can choose what role you want to play in the ATM industry (IAD, vaulter, technician, etc.), you can choose which aspects of your business to handle and which to hire out. It depends on your level of comfort, how much time you have/want to invest in your business, and how much profit you want to make. 

For example, you can hire someone to vault your machine for you, or you can do it yourself. Just weigh the costs of hiring someone else against the amount you are willing to “pay yourself” for taking the time to handle that aspect of the business.

9. What is my unique value proposition?

This question requires you to identify what sets your business apart from competitors and why customers should choose you. Now, as an ATM owner, there are two ways to look at this:

First, you want to consider the value you offer to the location where you will place your machine. Will your ATM bring in new business? Will it add a much needed service to existing customers? How will the location financially benefit from having an ATM on the premises? These are questions to ask when starting a business so that you know how to approach location owners with a proposal to place an ATM machine on-site.

Second, you want to consider the ATM users. Why should passersby use your machine rather than one a couple of blocks down or at the bank? Can you offer better security? A competitive surcharge fee? Coupons? Superior customer service? Ask yourself these questions, and then do it.

10. How will I handle customer service?

Again, you have two angles to consider here:

How will you ensure that the location owner does not have any problems working with your or your machine? Will you be available to handle any unexpected issues? Do you have a partner or someone you trust to act in your stead if you have to be away? How quickly will you be able to address any problems?

Do you have a process in place for handling customer complaints? What happens if there is a discrepancy with a withdrawal? What if there is a security concern? Is it clear who users should contact and how? Answering these questions early on will save time and money later.

11. What is my pricing strategy?

Really, as an IAD, the only pricing you need to worry about is the surcharge fee. You want your surcharge fee to be low enough to encourage transactions but high enough that you make a decent ROI and profit. There are a number of factors to consider when setting your surcharge fee including any preferences of the location owner and revenue share. 

Remember that your surcharge fee can change, too. You might start low to encourage traffic and then raise it once it’s steady. Or you might start high to reach your ROI quicker. Monitor the activity and trends and adjust the surcharge fee accordingly to find the “sweet spot” that satisfies both the customers and your own business goals.

12. What is my marketing strategy?

When you have your ATM installed and ready to go, you’ll want to think about advertising it. People can’t use your ATM if they don’t know it exists. So how will you encourage transactions? Thinking about this early can help you get a head start and budget extra features into your startup costs. 

For example, you might want to invest in a topper for your ATM machine, custom graphics, and/or a light-up ATM sign for the location window. Speak with the location owner as well to see about offering coupons to encourage transactions and increase in-store sales.

13. What is my growth strategy?

Depending on your business goals, you may or may not plan to grow your business. However, if you do, you will want to think about your growth strategy early to better manage your expectations and work toward that goal purposefully.

You could grow your business by offering additional services (vaulting, placement, technical support, etc.) or by adding more machines to your route. There is nothing wrong with managing just one machine. But the more machines you operate, the more profit you will earn.

14. How will I measure success?

It’s important to set goals for yourself in any endeavor, especially in business. Otherwise, how will you be motivated to keep going? Make a list of SMART goals so that you always know what success looks like, how to achieve it, and how to measure it. Then, you can make adjustments along the way as your business improves, you learn more, and your financial and other goals evolve.

15. What are the potential risks and how will I mitigate them?

Finally, one of the most important questions to ask when starting a business is how to mitigate potential risks. Predicting and planning for risks early not only helps to minimize disasters but also helps overcome obstacles that might be standing in your way of taking the next step. 

Having a plan for the worst case scenario can help put your mind at ease knowing that there’s nothing you can’t handle. Whether it’s a technical problem, a security issue, or a breach of contract, document a procedure you can use to address it. There’s a good chance you’ll never have to, but it’ll be worth it for peace of mind.   

Conclusion

Hopefully this extensive list of questions to ask yourself when starting a business makes the journey smoother for you. We’ve tried to think of everything so that you don’t have to. You don’t have to have any specialized knowledge or training to start an ATM business. But we know that not knowing what to expect can keep many people from taking that first step. And encountering unexpected barriers along the way can keep them from taking the next step.

If you work with ATMDepot, you will receive all of the support you need from choosing the right equipment to negotiating placements to ongoing technical support and business advice. What are you waiting for? Get your ATM business start-up kit today!

How to Write an ATM Business Plan

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So, you’re going to start an ATM business? That’s great! But, you need to have an ATM business plan before you dive in.

As businesses go, an ATM business is relatively simple. There’s not a lot of equipment to maintain. You don’t have to stock any physical inventory. And, you can run the business yourself, if you want.

However, an ATM business plan is still very important, despite that simplicity.

Writing an ATM business plan helps you map out the first years of running your business. And, your ATM business plan forces you to think about all the aspects of running an ATM business, helps you anticipate costs and problems, and creates a checklist for getting your business off the ground.

Additionally, having a written business plan can help secure loans (if you need them) and bank accounts.

Really, your business plan is the first asset you build for your business.

So, let’s get started.

The anatomy of an ATM business plan

An ATM business has all the same high level considerations of any other business. So, the contents of your business don’t need to be special. Your contents page can look just like this:

  1. Executive summary.
  2. Company summary and funding needs.
  3. Products and services.
  4. Marketing plan and analysis.
  5. Management team.
  6. Financial plan and forecasts.

There will be subsections for each of these sections. But, everything will fall under one of these umbrellas.

Your business plan doesn’t need to be a manifesto. As you add the information for each section, a good tactic is to use short headings followed by bullet points. Use the question as the heading, and list the answers to each question in the bullets. That way you can easily reference your business plan when you need it.

These are the questions you need to answer as you fill out each section.

Executive summary

There are three main subsections for your objective summary:

Objectives

The objectives don’t have to be anything super corporate. It’s your business. What do you want your business to do for you in the first year? The first two years? The first five years?

The purpose of your objectives is to set measurable goal posts, so that you know when your business has achieved what you want and if you’re meeting your timeline.

Mission statement

The mission statement is related to what your business does for your customers. The mission should be a direct line to your objectives. What will you do for your customers that will help your business achieve your objectives?

Keys to success

What are the most important things that you’ll need to do to make your business successful?

Be very honest with yourself here. You’re going to be doing most of the work in your business. So, there may be some personal development that’s critical to making your business successful. Or maybe you must secure some additional funding before you can do anything else.

Your keys to success should be mandatory things, the non-negotiables that make the whole thing work.

Company summary and funding needs

Your company summary and funding needs defines who’s going to do what and how you’re going to cover startup and operating expenses.

Company summary

Obviously, you need to define your own responsibilities. But, also define what responsibilities you’re going to outsource.

  • Are you going to hire a vaulting service for your ATMs?
  • Will you hire someone to perform routine maintenance and cleaning?
  • Are you going to perform every installation yourself or have the installation done for you?
  • Will you pay for accounting and bookkeeping or learn to do it yourself?
  • Which ATM processor will you use? Will you need to pay processing fees?

You don’t have to do everything. But, everything needs to get done. And, you need to plan out who’s going to do it, and how you’re going to pay for it…

Funding needs

Startup costs

The most obvious funding needs are your startup costs. Typically, you can budget about $5000 for each ATM machine. That covers the cost of the ATM itself and the cash you need to stock it.

However, $5000 is just a general guideline. Identify which ATM machines you’re going to purchase and plan out how much cash you’re going to put in them. That way you can calculate specific costs.

ATM machines vary in price. And, you need to fill them with more money if you want to refill them less often. Define these variables, so you can very precisely define your funding needs. You’re less likely to run into surprises this way.

Operating costs

Also, calculate your operating costs. Be very specific in this category, too. Think about the gas and vehicle maintenance, if you’re driving to restock your ATMs. Include the cost of vaulting your ATM machines, if you’re paying a vaulting service. And, remember to include payroll if you’ll be hiring anyone.

Business formation costs

Lastly, consider the costs of starting a company (C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, etc.). You can operate ATM machines as a sole proprietor, without filing any paperwork with the state. But, working as an individual, rather than a business, has some drawbacks.

First, you’ll be personally liable for anything that goes wrong. Raising a corporate veil is outside the scope of this post. But, if you’re operating as an individual, everything you own could be at risk.

Also, it’s very difficult to get a business bank account without a business tax identification number. Actually, it might be impossible (but we’re not bankers or lawyers).

Without getting too far into the legal weeds, suffice to say that owning and operating ATM machines without a corporate entity will be very tricky. It’s better to just start a company.

Corporate startup costs vary from state to state. But, you should figure at least $1000 to cover the filing and state fees. But, again, do some research to get precise numbers.

The purpose of this exercise is to determine exactly how much money you will need to get the business started, and how much it will cost to keep things running. That way you know how much you need to borrow, if you’re borrowing your startup capital. And, you’ll know how much revenue you need to keep the ship above water.

Products and services

This one is pretty straightforward for an ATM business: you provide ATM machines to businesses and events.

But, get more specific than that.

  • How much will your transaction fees be?
  • What will you do as part of your ATM services?
  • Will you provide additional products with your ATM machines (i.e. ATM toppers that advertise for businesses)?

As you negotiate contracts with business owners, you’ll find that each ATM placement has its nuances.

The purpose of clearly defining your products and services is to establish boundaries. You need to know what you will definitely NOT do.

Once you have an agreement and a contract to do something, you have to do it. So, you need to plan out your services. That way you don’t end up bound to a contract that’s not good for you or your business.

Having a clear picture of how your services are structured will also help you with the next step.

Marketing plan and analysis

The target market for ATM businesses is fairly predefined. Or, at least more predefined than many other business markets.

However, it’s still a good idea to narrow your focus and gather some intelligence about the businesses you’ll be targeting. There are a couple of ways that you can select a target market for your ATM business:

    1. Focus on a certain area. If you live in a populated area, you can focus on the businesses near your residence. That way your ATM route will be familiar and maybe even walkable. Or, you can just focus your efforts on an area with a lot of eligible businesses.
    2. Focus on a certain type of business. In reality, an ATM owner can help almost any business by providing ATM services. But, if you narrow your scope to a certain type of business—like casinos or gas stations—you can learn about the business, identify some benefits that are unique to those types of businesses, and position yourself as a specialist in that industry.

 

 

This may seem counterintuitive. If you only focus on one area or type of business, you’re missing a lot of opportunities, right? Not quite.

First, you can always expand in to serving new businesses and new areas as your ATM business grows.

But, narrowing your focus also works as a sales lever. You can build a unique selling proposition (USP)  around being nearby and therefore easy to reach. Or you can use your specialization in helping certain types of businesses as your unique selling proposition.

In short, focusing on a smaller target market makes it easier for you to get your first ATM placements. You can always widen your scope as your ATM business grows.

Management team

The management team might be just you. But, if you have additional team members, define their roles and responsibilities. Don’t leave anyone out.

This is a bit different than defining who you were going to hire. Now, you need to define what parts of the business each person is responsible for and how you’ll measure success.

If you’re the only manager. That’s fine. Define responsibilities and standards for yourself. Starting a business always involves at least a little bit of personal development.

Financial plan and forecasts

The most important part of this section is ensuring that you have a plan to cover all of your expenses and pay off any debts the business has. There are three parts to developing this plan.

Income statement

Your income statement is just a statement that shows your business profits and losses. Before you start a business, there’s obviously not going to be a lot here. But, be sure to prepare one and keep it updated. Most accounting software will run an income statement for you.

Balance sheet

Your balance sheet shows your assets and liabilities. Your ATM machines are assets. If you took out a loan to buy your first ATM, that loan is a liability.

Setting up a balance sheet is pretty straightforward. And, most accounting software will help you construct a balance sheet.

The general rule for balance sheets is that anything which generates revenue is an asset. Anything that does not generate revenue is a liability.

Use a balance sheet template if you want to manually create your balance sheet.

Cash flow statement

Your cash flow statement just shows where money is coming into your business and where money is going out. This enables you to get a high level view of your income and expenses.

Your account software can also help you with this. But, you can use a cash flow statement template to write out your own cash flow statement.

The point of putting together all these reports is first to prepare for tracking your business finances. Things get messy really fast if you have no idea where your money is coming from or where it’s going. And, building these reports once you’ve been operating for several months is a nightmare.

But, as you construct these reports, you’ll be able to estimate your projected revenue and establish a plan for paying off all your debts, coving your operating expenses, and maximizing profits.

As a note, most successful ATM business owners report that they make about $500 per ATM machine each month. Your numbers may be different. But, $500 per ATM per month is a good starting point for estimating your revenue.

It’s just like personal finance. You need to have a plan for what you’re going to do with your money.

One last thing…

That’s it. Your business plan is all done. There’s just one more thing. And, this is the fun part…

Go back to the cover page of your business plan. Think up a name for your business and add it to the cover page. It might seem weird to do this last. But, it’s a lot easier to think up a clever, relevant business name if you know everything about your business.

Now you’re done. And, it’s time to start putting your plan into action.

Copy and paste the following text into an MS Word or Google Doc to create a template for your business plan:

 

[ATM BUSINESS NAME]

  1. Executive summary
    1. Objectives
    2. Mission statement
    3. Keys to success
  2. Company summary and funding needs
    1. Company summary
    2. Funding needs
  3. Products and services
    1. ATM service packages
  4. Marketing plan and analysis
    1. Target areas and business types
  5. Management team
  6. Financial plan and forecasts
    1. Income statement
    2. Balance sheet
    3. Cash flow statement

 

Then fill out each section to write your ATM business plan (remember to add the name LAST). Then, all you have to do is get it done.

If you need help executing your ATM business plan, become an ATMDepot member to get training on how to start and run your ATM business.