About

About EM Smart Vending — A Family-Led Smart Vending Company

We’re Andrea and Marcus Akoto, the husband-and-wife team behind EM Smart Vending. We provide free, fully managed smart vending machines to workplaces, gyms, residential buildings and care homes across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire.

This is a family business in the truest sense — built on trust, run with care, and focused on doing things properly.

Our Story

Hi, I’m Andrea, founder of Essential Minis.

I launched this business after stepping away from busy careers in mediation and events planning to focus on raising our two daughters. Now that both girls are in school and a bit more independent, I’ve had the chance to reconnect with the world of work — and I wanted to come back with something that genuinely excited me.

With strong ties still in the hospitality and service space, I couldn’t ignore how quickly technology is reshaping the way we shop, eat and interact. In vending, the shift is clear — traditional machines with their clunky coils and coin slots are giving way to smarter, more intuitive technology. And I wanted to be part of that change.

That’s how Essential Minis was born. We started with a simple question: what if vending could be better? Better for the people using the machines, better for the businesses hosting them, and better for the communities we serve. The answer was smart fridge vending — AI-powered, contactless, modern and fully managed.

My husband Marcus came on board as co-founder and runs the operations side of the business. He’s the one making sure installations run smoothly, stock levels are managed, and every client gets the personal attention they deserve. Between us, we bring a mix of strategic thinking, hands-on reliability and a genuine commitment to doing things well.

We’re not a faceless corporation. We’re a family. When you work with us, you deal with us directly. That matters to us, and we think it matters to our clients too.

Our Mission

At EM Smart Vending, we believe access to quality refreshments shouldn’t be complicated, overpriced or stuck in the past.

Our mission is to bring modern, AI-powered smart vending to businesses and communities across the Home Counties — making it easy, affordable and hassle-free for any organisation to offer a premium refreshment service.

  • Modern technology. Our smart fridge vending machines represent the future of unattended retail. Contactless payments, real-time remote monitoring, and AI-powered stock management.
  • Personal service. We’re a family business and we operate like one. Every client gets direct access to us, tailored product selections, and attentive service.
  • Trust and reliability. We care more about doing things well than doing things fast. When we say we’ll handle everything, we mean it.

Meet the Team

Andrea Akoto — Founder

Andrea brings a background in mediation and events planning, with deep roots in the hospitality and service sectors. She founded Essential Minis with a clear vision: to bring smart, modern vending technology to businesses and communities across the Home Counties. Andrea leads on client relationships, brand direction and business development.

Marcus Akoto — Co-Founder & Operations

Marcus runs the operational side of the business. From coordinating installations and managing stock logistics to ensuring every machine is running smoothly, he’s the person making sure the day-to-day runs like clockwork. With a sharp eye for detail and a hands-on approach, Marcus ensures every client receives a consistent, reliable service.

Why We’re Different

  • Free installation, genuinely. No rental fees, no upfront charges, no hidden extras. We cover everything.
  • Smart technology, not old-school vending. AI-powered smart fridges with contactless payment, not coil-and-coin machines.
  • Tailored to your site. We curate product selections based on your people, your environment and your preferences.
  • A family business that answers the phone. You deal with Andrea and Marcus directly.

Let’s Talk

If you’re looking for a smart vending machine company that actually cares about getting things right, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re based in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Watford, Northampton or anywhere in between — get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat.

Get a Free Quote

Call us: 07795 957 418
Email: info@emsmartvending.com