28-07-2025
His vending machine side hustle pulls in $6,000 a month. How a ‘boring' business can add thousands to your income
Stephen Ferritto bought his first vending machine when he was just 16. At the time, he was in culinary school and wanted to start his own money-making venture. Now, he owns and operates 25 machines in different locations across Toronto that pull in a combined $6,000 monthly (that's $72,000 a year). 'It gave me a passion that culinary didn't,' Ferritto says. 'It gave me the ability to choose what I do.'
Ferritto is one of many Canadians running a 'boring' business. These jobs (think junk removal, car washes, laundromats) are known to offer stability and consistent demand for services with attractive long-term returns. They're not flashy startups, 'but that's exactly what makes them attractive,' says Sean Wise, professor of entrepreneurship at Toronto Metropolitan University. 'They solve everyday problems, have recurring customers, and aren't subject to the hype cycles that tank trendier ventures.'
