In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Scott Brown, founder of Snax Depot and VendingAd.com, to explore a surprising but powerful advertising opportunity hiding in plain sight: vending machines.

Most advertising today competes in speed mode — scrolling, swiping, skipping, and digital fatigue. But what happens when you reach people in a true moment of pause?

Scott shares how modern, AI-powered vending machines equipped with 15-inch HMI screens are transforming everyday snack stops into high-attention marketing moments. With 10-second visual ads placed directly at eye level, local businesses can reach a captive audience in gyms, warehouses, apartment complexes, and office spaces — where repetition, frequency, and exclusivity drive real brand recall.

This isn’t about chasing clicks. It’s about being remembered.

You’ll learn why physical-world visibility still matters in a digital-first era, how QR codes bridge real-world impressions with measurable online results, and why limiting each machine to just 10 advertisers dramatically increases brand impact.

If you serve local customers and want repeated, real-world exposure in places where people actually pause — this conversation may change how you think about marketing.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

• Why “paused attention” is more valuable than endless digital impressions
• The psychology of repetition and frequency in local advertising
• How vending machine screens create credibility in physical spaces
• Why limiting advertisers per screen increases impact
• How QR codes make offline ads measurable and retargetable
• Which types of businesses benefit most from vending machine advertising
• Why exclusivity (no competitors per machine) strengthens brand recall
• How physical and digital marketing can work together seamlessly

Visit VendingAd.com to learn more or schedule a strategy call to see if this opportunity is a fit for your business — especially if you serve customers in the Boston market.

To be a guest on our next podcast, contact us today!

Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or grow? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and set up a free consultation with our team.

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Brian Samson, founder of Plugg Technologies, to break down what nearshoring really is, when it works best, and how founders can use it to unlock growth without overextending their budgets.

Brian has spent more than a decade working across the U.S. and Latin America, building three companies from zero to over $4 million in revenue and helping hundreds of businesses build high-performing global teams. He shares real-world insight into the difference between offshoring and nearshoring, why time zones matter more than ever, and how today’s remote tools and AI have completely changed the game.

If you’ve ever wondered whether nearshoring could work for your business — or had a bad experience years ago and wrote it off — this episode will give you a practical, modern perspective.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The difference between offshoring and nearshoring (and why it matters)
• Which roles and company types benefit most from nearshoring
• How to safely “test the waters” without overcommitting
• The cultural and structural differences between Latin America and Asia
• How remote work infrastructure and AI have made global teams easier than ever
• When to DIY with platforms like Upwork or Fiverr — and when to work with a partner
• How scaling with international talent can increase flexibility and optionality for growing brands

Whether you’re a startup founder, agency owner, or scaling eCommerce brand, this episode offers a clear roadmap for building smarter teams in 2026 and beyond.

To learn more about Brian and Plugg Technologies, visit https://plug.tech

Interested in growing your brand with proven direct response strategies? Visit https://harvestgrowth.com and book a free consultation with our team.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review — and we’ll see you next time on the Harvest Growth Podcast.

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with trade show industry veteran Mike Van Valey, who has spent more than 35 years in the business and over two decades running his own trade show contracting company.

From selling books door-to-door in college to managing trade shows for major consumer brands, Mike shares firsthand insights into how the trade show landscape has evolved — and why so many companies are doing it wrong.

You’ll learn how technology, rising costs, and changing buyer behavior have reshaped the industry. Attendees no longer arrive ready to write orders on the show floor — they come to evaluate, compare, and research. That shift means your strategy needs to change too.

Mike breaks down the biggest mistakes exhibitors make, including overspending on flashy booths while neglecting staffing and follow-up — and explains why the “software” (your people and process) matters more than the “hardware.”

If you’ve ever wondered whether trade shows are still worth the investment, this episode gives you a clear, strategic answer.

In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover:

• How trade shows have changed in the digital era
• Why lighting and booth design can dramatically increase traffic
• The right way to staff your booth (and how many people is too many)
• Why pre-show marketing can make or break your results
• The most common post-show follow-up mistakes
• How to know if a trade show is right for your business
• And so much more

Want to connect with Mike?
Visit tradeshowsolutions.net to learn more or reach out directly for guidance on improving your trade show strategy.

Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale?
Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.