In 2003, Sean Kelly was studying medical engineering at Columbia University with plans to become a surgeon. Then he had a revelation that changed the course of his career. He’s still working in the health field, but in a very different way—as the co-founder of HUMAN (“helping unite mankind and nutrition”), which provides healthy vending machine alternatives to the standard candy, soda and chips. Kelly, now based in LA, reportedly has seen HUMAN’s revenues increase from $371,000 in 2009 to $9.2 million in 2012. That’s healthy growth. Here, read our Q&A with Kelly.
SKY: What was the inspiration behind HUMAN?
KELLY: At Columbia, I was a personal trainer. One day, I saw someone purchase a 20-ounce soda from a vending machine, the only food and drink dispensary at that health club. She took a swig, put the soda in the cup holder of a treadmill and started to run. That was my aha mo-ment. If affluent, well-educated residents of the Upper West Side don’t have convenient access to the foods and drinks they need to be happy, healthy and high-performing, what’s the prognosis for the rest of the world? Why can’t a vending machine be a mechanism for good, for health?
Where are HUMAN’s vending machines located?
Our most prevalent location has been schools: middle schools, high schools, colleges. We’re also in a lot of YMCAs and health clubs.
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| Chips from the company's Super Human Snacks line. |
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What do they dispense?
You’ll find everything from organic sparkling juices to healthier chip alternatives such as Popchips, pita chips or multigrain crackers, all-natural jerkies, trail mixes and fresh fruit and vegetables. We’re actually vending a lot more fresh meals, such as salads and sandwiches.
What are HUMAN’s plans going forward?
We’re trying to flip corporate food service on its head—not just with vending machines but with micromarkets, which are unattended convenience stores. Employees can grab whatever they want, then use their thumbprint or ID or an employee card, whatever they need, to check out.