We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alex Miller. Check out our conversation below.
Alex, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
Oftentimes, people like to start a business to grow money for themselves, to make themselves proud, or to even make their family proud; and while some might say these things aren’t exactly wrong, especially with their family and many other paths/ motivations that are similar as well. However, the greatest businesses are the ones that give back, not just to their family or themselves but back to the community, back to the ones who have helped them and those who have never heard.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Thank you for the gift of your time, dear beloved reader and clients.
I am Alex Miller
I own and manage AmericanTradeRoutes: a Service based machine company. All together, We (me and my employees) install machines such as Vending machines, ATM’S, Claw machines, Toy dispensing machines, Candy machines, and many more machines that are of use & service to the public & community.
What makes us unique? As the owner of a business dealing with food, drinks & and many more products for consumption; I personally have my Servsafe managers license & require anybody else managing the machines to have one also, we take food products & health very seriously. We also give out plenty of snacks, drinks, and candy personally to the homeless here in Lake City, FL. Something a little unorthodox we do as well is give back to the employees of the shops we rent on and give them food and snacks for free as well, we also make sure if they have a customer who is hungry or thirsty but has no money that they will receive a drink/snack for free.
Growing up in Poverty stricken West Virginia, I know what it’s like being hungry, being without a home for short and long too, having to scrounge around in Wishing wells for change to afford expired snacks at the convenience store down the street is something I would never wish or pray for upon anybody. That’s why we give and give honestly, so that even if a machine or place loses profit; we still have the community we love and care about.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Born in 2007 In Poverty Stricken, Opioid addicted Beckley, West Virginia. My father was a coal miner who worked all day across the state at weeks to months at a time to supply for us. My mother was a stay at home mom who tried with what we had until the crisis came. Poverty grew more rapidly, coal mines shut down, the pills & opioids moved in and soon my mom & more in my family were hooked. With dad working across the state at the time and money coming in less and not being spent on food; me and my siblings did what we had to survive. We scrounged around for food, we scrounged around for change, for begged people on the streets for money and for food, until one day me, my brother, and my friend had gathered enough and decided to start vending waters on the streets for money. We were highly unsuccessful then but it became a starting point.
Later on, when I was nearly 14 we moved to Lake City, FL as dad had gotten a new job at the mines nearby. I worked through job after job; mistreated, worked for penny’s on the dollar, walked sometimes 5+ miles in a day to work and back; I had realized every job I go to, I am just another number, just another prisoner meant to fill the spots. I wanted change, I had tried building businesses before but each time failed and went back to working; but this time I would spend all I have on my dreams, not just for myself but for others. Every payday or other payday I bought new machines, I bought something new for the business, I slowly built up my wealth and the business, week after week I designed new business cards, websites, social medias; but in the end I still knew I had to give back. I gave back to the community what I had, snacks, drinks, & love. To the homeless camps I went and gave out, I prayed for them, and gave them drinks; to all who asked me on my trips would receive as well. I made sure to always give back 10% of my business to God through the Church as well. I wanted & I made sure I do my part in helping kids, somebody’s son, or somebody’s daughter make sure they don’t have to go hungry or unloved & that truly is the greatest business I could have.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Many times, between facing financial problems with not being able to buy machines, with my truck (which I haul machines with) breaking down and not being able to afford it being fixed, to machines making 2 or 3 dollars a week, rude or rowdy shop owners buying their own machines or wanting mine out. There are always struggles in a business, as there are in life and a job. The struggles are always there; You have to choose though what is worth more to you, the struggles of dealing with your job and your bosses or owning your own business?
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
As a Christian man, I hold the values & teachings of Christ true to my heart. I have heard John D. Rockefeller tithed 10% of his pay always to the lord for growing his business & wealth, I also tithe 10% of my wealth to the Lord as well. Robert T. Kiyosake in “Rich dad Poor dad” also taught to have 3 investment banks/ portfolios. Of one of those was being to give back to charity, I do not believe you have to be a Christian to run a successful business, but I do wholeheartedly believe you must give back; even when you look around you and see corporations who steal or do not give back; they will be gone after a lifetime, but the one who gives back has a community who loves them & many communities for many lifetimes that shall know their name. Many corporations also get into legal fights when one owner dies, but to the small business that gives back the whole community is on their side when the owner dies and transfers it to the son.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
Taking the chances I had, I will never regret not being a coward or non courageous. When first starting out I was scared to ask businesses or places to place my machines there since I was new and had no experience; I then seen shortly after, many times these businesses would take on somebody else’s machines from a farther distance or buy their own all together. To the one who never asks, they will never receive; the worst is truly never the worst I’ve learned and to take responses & life at full face.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Americantraderoutes
- Facebook: Americantraderoutes
- Other: https://myitap.com/profile/americantraderoutes
