From Frat Hustle to $80K Months: Ethan’s Vending Machine Journey

Young Boss with Isabelle Guarino

What do illegal sportsbooks, frat house vending machines, and Pokémon mystery bags have in common? If you guessed “absolutely nothing,” you’re wrong—because they’ve all played a role in Ethan Kohan’s wild rise as founder of PodPlug, the nightlife vending machine company shaking up bars, clubs, and casinos across the country.

On this week’s episode of Young Boss, we sit down with Ethan who proves that sometimes the fastest path forward is… not always the most traditional one. Ethan’s story starts with a $15K sports betting debt and a big question: How do I make it back? From running an underground sportsbook to selling Juul pods across college campuses, he learned early on that convenience sells—and sells big.

That hustle evolved into PodPlug: cashless, customized vending machines stocked with everything from vapes and Zyns to disposable cameras, hangover gummies, and 90s-themed mystery packs. One viral video sent the brand into overdrive, leading to investor backing, a college ambassador program, and now a booming franchise model attracting hundreds of applicants.

We talk about scaling without sacrificing quality, the operational chaos of rapid growth, and why location (and sometimes Pokémon) can make or break your sales. Ethan also shares how he’s using social media, not just for marketing, but as a tool to qualify franchisees and build business relationships.

If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a crazy idea into a cash-flowing business, this episode is your permission slip. Ethan’s proof that you can start scrappy, think big, and still have a blast doing it.

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