The hum of a vending machine is not typically what people relate with entrepreneurship. But in the teachers lounge, a new machine installed by Pleasant Valley’s Future Business Leaders of America is doing more than just dispensing snacks—it is offering students hands-on lessons in business.
Organized and operated by members of FBLA, the vending machine places students in charge of inventory, budgeting and long term planning. While business classes often rely on simulations, this initiative requires students to make real decisions with visible outcomes.
FBLA treasurer Ella Rogers talked about the operation being a place where theory and practice come together. “Hands-on business experience is a great opportunity for students because it makes applying classroom knowledge a lot easier,” said Rogers.
By allowing students to experiment with a legitimate operation, students become prepared for the variability of real business environments. “Experiential learning is especially important for business classes because every situation is different and it makes students a lot more adaptable,” she said.
The project also reflects a broader belief in student capability. Rather than limiting leadership to hypothetical scenarios, the vending machine relies on students to maintain financial responsibility and operational oversight. From selecting products to monitoring profits, members are accountable for the machine’s success.
For Leah Zahn, FBLA’s secretary, who is involved in the initiative, the experience extends beyond profits and product restocking. She emphasizes the value of early exposure to professional expectations. “Getting access to experience early on can help them get a leg up, especially when it comes to business opportunities,” Zahn said.
Running the vending machine has also revealed lessons not found in textbooks. “The one thing that running this vending machine has taught me that a text book could not is how important it is to have a good foundation of a group before starting a business together,” Zahn said. Students must collaborate and communicate to build a strong internal structure before expanding their efforts.
Though small in scale, the vending machine represents a shift in how business education can operate within schools. By giving students meaningful responsibility, programs like FBLA move beyond theory and into practice.
