Today we’d like to introduce you to Collin Martin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Bingo Markets started as a little seed of a thought. How many times have I walked past this same office vending machine desperately hoping for something different? Alas, it was the same time and time again; off-brand chips and thickly-iced cinnamon rolls that seemed unaffected by the steady march of time. Surely, I thought, someone is doing this better.
Despite my relentless googling, inquiring, and scouting, I couldn’t find anyone who seemed to be filling vending machines with the kind of food I cared about. Stuff like local snacks, or products that fight food waste, or snack brands owned by people of color.
It wasn’t until we were all working from “home” that the second piece of the puzzle clicked for me. Coworking spaces. Endless craft coffee? Check. Local beer on tap? You betcha. Snacks? Not so much. I learned that coworking spaces are often plagued by the same snack-swamp syndrome as traditional office spaces. Community snacks are not always guaranteed and even when they are, the selection is limited and subject to being wiped out by a few ravenously-hungry graphic designers (you know who you are).
The thought occurred to me: what if I could solve a problem for coworking space owners and delight hungry coworkers at the same time? What if I could do the same for other businesses too? Enter: Bingo Markets, a curated vending company focused on providing self-serve snacks to coworking spaces, breweries, and anywhere else folks with good taste hang out. We secured our first location at Wax Space, a coworking space in Oak Cliff in the summer of 2021. In December, we’ll be in our first brewery location (can you think of a better pairing?), and early next year we’ll be in our second coworking space.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Most certainly not. But boy, has it been a fun one! First of all, we’ve had to taste some truly terrible snacks (you’re welcome) on our way to the unimpeachable spread we offer today. Mostly kidding. Figuring out how the heck a vending machine works has been one of the biggest hurdles, honestly. From dangling chips to jammed coin mechanisms, to a fried motherboard, I’ve seen it all. Oh, and just thinking about the time I drove a twenty-foot moving truck (with Bingo #1 in the back) down a bustling Bishop Ave. for our launch at Bastille on Bishop still makes my stomach do flips.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bingo Markets. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bingo Markets is vending updated for a modern audience. Two things set us apart from the competition: thoughtful curation and beautifully-designed machines. The traditional vending operator makes one trip to Sam’s Club and then turns on the autopilot. At Bingo, we are constantly curating our products to make sure that only the most deliciously interesting snacks are making it into our markets. Secondly, in the modern world, good design is everything. Bingo is the only vending machine handsome enough to fit seamlessly into your thoughtfully-designed workspace or taproom. No big black boxes here, just rows and rows of the best snacks and quick meals around.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
So many folks! Chiefly, my business partner, Tommy Blake. Near the beginning, I reached out to him for a quote on some design work for Bingo and he ended up loving the idea so much that he asked to come on board as a partner. Obviously, I said yes, and it has proved to be the best business decision I’ve made to date. Tommy is sharp as a tack and one heck of a dreamer. He is the reason our markets look so slick and our Instagram stays as curated as our snack selection.
We also have to give our deep thanks to Doug and Grant Klembara (co-owners of Wax Space) for their willingness to take a chance on this humble, unproven (at the time) snack business. Their commitment to supporting Oak Cliff entrepreneurs is unparalleled and we love ‘em for it.
As for cheerleaders, there are far too many to name here. To all the family and friends who bought shirts, koozies, and of course, snacks, we are so grateful! We couldn’t be doing this without all of you.
Contact Info:
- Email: howdy@bingomarkets.com
- Website: https://www.bingomarkets.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bingomarkets/
Image Credits
Temi Coker
