Meet Marissa Yarbrough | Owner of The Crafty Box

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Yarbrough and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been familiar with unique vending machines concepts but had really only seen them in posts online throughout the years. When I visited Asheville last year, I came across an art vending machine at a location downtown and was SO excited to see one in-person for the first time. There were mystery bags, locally-made goods, and fun stickers that you could scan to get a playlist. I eventually settled on a mystery bag and a Role-playing book. It was such a fun experience, and I took note of the name of the company – @thecuriomachine so I could check them out online. Nearly a year later, as I was thinking of an idea for a business, I thought about that art vending machine and how much I enjoyed doing it. After looking them up again, I found @thevenderia and she offered an art vending machine course. I did some research and realized no one in Atlanta had an art vending machine, decided to take the course and get started on creating The Crafty Box.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Crafty Box is a creative vending machine that offers an experience in the form of handmade goods, mystery bags, and creative products. Our goal is to give people a unique, interactive experience they can’t get online while shopping. I’m so excited to share some of the local artists in Decatur/Atlanta in this format. Many of the artists in the machine have created products specifically for the vending machine.

I’ve never started a business before and there are so many new things I am learning – like how to operate a vending machine. I spent a lot of time just learning how to use all the various buttons and had to laugh at myself because of how long it took to figure out how to close the machine the first time I used it. From things like packaging specifically for a vending machine to machinery itself to banking related things that I had never done before; I’m giving my brain a good work-out!

Olivia Gehrke of @runredfox is painting the machine and I am really excited to see that get completed and finally ready for folks to shop from!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m biased as I work there but @homegrowndecatur is the coolest shop with goods made by artists and small businesses located in Georgia and the Southeast. The perfect place to get gifts and we gift wrap for FREE year-round.

Sweet Auburn BBQ has a special place in my heart as it was the first BBQ I tried when I moved to Atlanta in 2014. Get their home-made strawberry lemonade!

I’m obsessed with the Hotel Clermont. I’ve had multiple staycations there. The cutest rooms, with an adorable gift shop and I just love all the wallpaper throughout the hotel. The rooftop is a great place to have a date too!

As someone without a car, the Beltine and Freedom Paths, while definitely touristy, are still a great way to get around town.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Facebook group Creative Vending Revolution has been such a help to me – it’s an online community of folks who have creative vending machines located all over the country – from Oregon to Florida! I also want to give a shout-out to Lori Ronca, the owner of Homegrown Decatur. She is an amazing, awesome business owner and has been an amazing mentor to me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyboxvending/

Image Credits
Poorly Drawn Pokemon Art is created by @casspaintsart Surprise Beaded Bracelet is by @karlabenitezart Mystery Cat Keychain is by @mussyhead