Learn about who we are, what we do, and the clients we’ve helped.

Our Story

In the words of founder/CEO, “I saw a need in the industry for better customer service. People had questions, [that] I had found the answers to (through my own trial and errors) as well as questions I had not yet encountered. I was eager to learn and share. I wanted them to know, “We’ve been there. We get it. We care.” I knew that if I helped other businesses get bigger and better, I would as well.”

Optimal Station saw the need for customization in the automatic retail world. Having come from both manufacturer and operator worlds, we heard the same issues and complaints repeatedly. Owners were trying (often unsuccessfully) to piece together the necessary components to create functional, efficient, and profitable automated retail systems. We saw companies go out of business unnecessarily when they couldn’t put all the pieces together effectively. So we decided to create a company where we would bring quality hardware and software together to give our clients the best of everything, always paying attention to every detail. We knew that it was imperative to constantly be innovative so we could consistently offer our clients the latest and greatest.

“We knew that it was imperative to constantly be innovative so we could consistently offer our clients the latest and greatest.”

In the process of providing outstanding service to our automated retail clients, we became aware of similar needs in the world of event marketing. Taking our well-honed best practices; hardware and software know-how; and commitment to the highest product and service quality, we looked at how we could help clients optimize their brand reach and loyalty. We consulted with some of the best in the experiential marketing industry and learned that brands want their activations to be fun and exciting while delivering the ROI that propels the company forward. That information, in the hands of our existing passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated team led us to the creation of our experiential marketing division. Our creative team designed and constructed all-in-one communication Stations, built around our already state-of-the-art vending machines and custom software. We developed a suite of ancillary products and services to complement the Stations. We trained Optimizers to use these Stations as tools to attract and engage attendees, while gathering vital data which we then deliver post-event, providing the client with all the metrics and analytics they could possibly need to make good business decisions, sales funnels, etc.

At the core of it all, Optimal Station strives to do more, be more, care more. All the while we want to grow, help others grow, give back, and have fun!

Our Story

“We knew that it was imperative to constantly be innovative so we could consistently offer our clients the latest and greatest.”

In the words of founder/CEO, “I saw a need in the industry for better customer service. People had questions, [that] I had found the answers to (through my own trial and errors) as well as questions I had not yet encountered. I was eager to learn and share. I wanted them to know, “We’ve been there. We get it. We care.” I knew that if I helped other businesses get bigger and better, I would as well.”

Optimal Station saw the need for customization in the automatic retail world. Having come from both manufacturer and operator worlds, we heard the same issues and complaints repeatedly. Owners were trying (often unsuccessfully) to piece together the necessary components to create functional, efficient, and profitable automated retail systems. We saw companies go out of business unnecessarily when they couldn’t put all the pieces together effectively. So we decided to create a company where we would bring quality hardware and software together to give our clients the best of everything, always paying attention to every detail. We knew that it was imperative to constantly be innovative so we could consistently offer our clients the latest and greatest.

In the process of providing outstanding service to our automated retail clients, we became aware of similar needs in the world of event marketing. Taking our well-honed best practices; hardware and software know-how; and commitment to the highest product and service quality, we looked at how we could help clients optimize their brand reach and loyalty. We consulted with some of the best in the experiential marketing industry and learned that brands want their activations to be fun and exciting while delivering the ROI that propels the company forward. That information, in the hands of our existing passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated team led us to the creation of our experiential marketing division. Our creative team designed and constructed all-in-one communication Stations, built around our already state-of-the-art vending machines and custom software. We developed a suite of ancillary products and services to complement the Stations. We trained Optimizers to use these Stations as tools to attract and engage attendees, while gathering vital data which we then deliver post-event, providing the client with all the metrics and analytics they could possibly need to make good business decisions, sales funnels, etc.

At the core of it all, Optimal Station strives to do more, be more, care more. All the while we want to grow, help others grow, give back, and have fun!

Meet The Optimal Team Members

Reach • Engage • Experience • Connect

Vision

By encouraging innovation and creativity, we help businesses grow and reach their Optimal potential. We find the resulting growth of our employees and clients to be so rewarding that, in turn, we’re motivated to become even more innovative and creative, producing even more growth. We see it as a self-perpetuating cycle.

Mission

To help entrepreneurs, businesses, and brands be successful by providing innovative custom solutions backed by optimal customer service and support. Yes, Optimal Station’s products are the best in the industry, because we source and supply only the best. But our service is what truly sets us apart from the rest and is the cornerstone of our business plan.

Position Statement

Our company has the primary goal of providing customized quality vending machines to the automatic retail and inventing creative marketing experiences centered around our Stations. We have distinctive solutions for businesses to improve profit margins, increase brand awareness, attract new customers and build loyalty with existing customers. What makes Optimal Station unique is its ability to seam

Values

First and foremost, Optimal Station values integrity. Other qualities of paramount importance to our corporate culture are fairness, balance, empowerment of individuals, exceeding expectations, innovation, constant improvement, creativity, fun, and philanthropy.

Brands We’ve Been Optimal With

Recent Blog Articles

CO FOUNDER & CEO

Michele Lee

Michele Lee is an experienced entrepreneur who has owned a variety of businesses including real estate, fitness centers, and vending routes. In her vending business, she figured out how to optimize the routes and then taught others to do the same, realizing how rewarding and invigorating it was to teach and help others. Michele’s strong business acumen was soon recognized by a major international vending machine manufacturer which asked her to consult for them on a bigger scale. While in that role, she recognized the need to take the vending world to another level. In 2017, she partnered with Co-Founder, Teddy Sanchez, to bring Optimal Vending Systems (subsequently rebranded to “Optimal Station”) to life. The successes (and occasional failures) of her previous businesses, along with the example set by her restaurateur parents, taught Michele the lessons she needed in order to make Optimal Station the success that it is today. As the CEO, Michele is impassioned to build another strong and prosperous business, but more importantly, to make a difference in the lives of her employees, partners, and clients as well as her community and beyond.

CO-FOUNDER & CTO

Teddy Sanchez

Teddy Sanchez earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from a top vocational school in the year 2000 and afterward started his career in the boating manufacturing industry. With over a decade of boating manufacturing experience, Teddy ventured over to project management where he led construction teams specializing in custom railings throughout the Caribbean islands. After two years in the railing manufacturing and project management industry, he recognized the need and several uses for vending machines. In 2010, he was hired by the Jofemar Corp (a vending machine manufacturer headquartered in Peralta, Spain) to work with the United States division, where he was eventually promoted to Director of Operations. What makes Teddy unique is that he has worked in all departments in the vending industry, from manufacturing to shipping to sales and support. He has helped operators, manufacturers, suppliers, and entrepreneurs start projects and see them through to completion. In 2017, Teddy ventured with Co-Founder Michele Lee to establish Optimal Vending Systems (later rebranded, Optimal Station). At Optimal he enjoys the unique challenges that he faces, executing special projects and custom machines with custom training and deployment solutions. He also relishes in using his creativity when designing Optimal Station’s innovative experiential marketing solutions.

DIRECTOR OF QA & ACCOUNTS

Pam Patterson

Pam Patterson spent many years with a company that has been on the Fortune 500 list for over 25 years. Her experience with that company ranged from customer service to account manager to senior analyst. She joined Optimal Station in its early years, initially providing occasional advice and input but ultimately committing to a full-time role in assisting in Optimal’s explosive growth. She brings a history of attention to detail, controlled-growth management, and a customer-first perspective. Quality is her number one priority for Optimal Station and for its customers. Her education in accounting and business management has been instrumental in ensuring that Optimal Station continues to make smart business decisions that are effective in both the short and long term. But first and foremost, Pam has the kind of integrity that’s congruent with OptimalStation’s mission and purpose.

MARKETING OPTIMIZER

Moriah Ferguson

Moriah is comfortable wearing many hats in the Administrative and Marketing departments. From 2017 to 2021, Moriah worked on developing and implementing administrative processes at a local start-up business, creating print and digital marketing materials, and developing social media strategies and content. Moriah also has experience creating content for presentations on behalf of her employer that successfully communicated the benefits to the brand of collaborating with Moriah’s company.

Upon graduating from James Rumsey Technical Institute Moriah was presented the Governor’s Workforce Credential in West Virginia. Moriah went on to earn a Board of Governors Associates, as well as a Computer Application Specialist Associates degree from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. Moriah is currently in her last year at West Virginia University, in their Multidisciplinary Degree program. In this program, she is currently majoring in Communication Studies, Advertising, and Strategic Social Media.

MARKETING OPTIMIZER

Sarah Warner

Sarah brings a fresh perspective on social media marketing and branding. Her skills and experience range from designing a complete branding package for a start-up business (everything from logo work, brand guide, and digital and print assets); creating audio-visual content for a theatre company; and developing a winning strategic campaign for a study-abroad program. Her imagination and thirst for learning help Optimal Station stay fresh and innovative.

Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Strategic Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations (and also minored in English) at West Virginia University. She will be completing her Master’s degree in Marketing Communications (with an emphasis on Creative Strategy) in 2021.

PROJECT MANAGER

Alex Garnier

After having graduated with a degree in computer engineering, Alex worked as an IT Manager for more than 15 years at his family’s freight forwarding and customs brokerage company. Subsequently, he moved to Miami to open a new branch for his company, which is where he met Optimal Station’s founders, Michele and Teddy. After realizing they had similar integrity, aspirations, and goals, Optimal Station presented Alex with the opportunity to join the team as a Project Manager, which he gladly accepted, entrusting control of his own company to his wife, Chrit. Alex dove into Optimal operations headfirst, quickly becoming an integral part of the organization.

TECHNICIAN

Josh Parker

Our newest Technician in the Production Department, Josh Parker, a Gainesville, FL native, comes with years of experience in the electrical field. He is a quick learner with a natural knack for trouble-shooting and quickly fixing and improving things from electrical to mechanical. He jumped into the Optimal production department with both feet and has been a valuable asset right from the start. Josh enjoys learning about history and economics as well, so he’s a very well-rounded individual. He was highly recommended to Optimal through a mutual friend and we will be forever grateful!
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