Join us on The DMV Business Show with Otto Sevilla as we feature Nick Grillo, Founder of Elevate Vending, to discuss his journey from growing up in an immigrant Sicilian family in Syracuse, New York, to building a fast-growing, innovative vending business in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area.
Nick shares his family’s close-knit dynamic and their collective migration to the DMV during the pandemic—a move motivated by a desire for better weather and new opportunities. He reminisces about his unique upbringing, cultural experiences, and how being first-generation influenced his perspective, particularly when it came to food, family, and tradition.
After high school and a stint working in his uncle’s roofing shop, Nick chose to enlist in the Air Force, inspired by his brother-in-law’s path. He spent 12 years in the military, working in aircraft mechanics and later transitioning into training management and strategic operations. It was during his service that he met his wife and experienced some defining moments of leadership and personal growth.
Post-military, Nick embraced entrepreneurship—first launching a handyman and smart home security business during the pandemic. What started with a single Nextdoor post quickly blossomed into a thriving venture, thanks to community demand and his technical skills. After exiting that business, a consulting opportunity introduced him to the vending industry.
Noticing how traditional and outdated the vending space was, Nick founded Elevate Vending in 2023 with the goal of bringing fresh, tech-forward solutions and a focus on customer experience to workplaces, residential, automotive, and public locations around the DMV. Nick emphasizes the importance of branding, locally sourced products, and partnerships, sharing how Elevate differentiates itself with AI-powered vending machines, open-market concepts, local snacks and meals, and a passion for community engagement.
The conversation covers the challenges and lessons of rapid growth, the importance of relationships and partnerships, learning from setbacks such as funding issues and contract negotiations, and how Nick balances business with family life—including fun details like his automated home hockey room for his family and friends.
Nick offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: focus on passion over money, build genuine relationships, learn to pivot quickly, and don’t be afraid to start small—even if it means driving around in a VW Jetta by yourself at first. Elevate Vending is now poised for major growth, aiming to expand its footprint and positive community impact throughout the DMV and beyond.
It’s a rich episode full of practical entrepreneurial insights, personal stories, and inspiration for anyone looking to innovate in a traditional industry!
This episode is brought to you by: SEVI - The first commercial real estate company committed to the four C’s: Commercial Real Estate, Community, Content, and Culture
https://seviproperties.com/
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