Heart Throb Vending – Building A Legacy In Bay County

LYNN HAVEN, FL – When you talk to the founder of Heart Throb Vending, it doesn’t take long to see that this new Bay County business is about more than snacks and sodas. It’s about freedom, family, and building a legacy.

After nearly a decade on active duty in the Air Force, he sat down with a financial counselor to map out his next chapter. The biggest takeaway? Vending machines - his path forward. Soon after, he packed up his family in Minot, North Dakota, transitioned into the reserves, and set his sights on turning that idea into reality. Henry “Henrose” Rivas emphasizes the freedom of owning your own business: “When you’re your own boss, the sky is the limit.”

That vision is now becoming reality. Heart Throb Vending is closing on its first location in Lynn Haven, the first of many planned in Bay County. The long-term goal is steady growth, adding about five machines a year until the business can stand as a proper family operation.

The inspiration came from reflecting on his own upbringing. His parents worked full-time jobs to keep the family afloat, which meant less time together. He wanted something different for his wife and four kids, an idea that could generate income without taking him away from home. “I wanted to make money in my sleep and not just on my feet,” he explains. Vending machines offered that path, giving him the chance to set his own hours, be present with his family, and create an opportunity his children could one day step into if they choose.

Heart Throb Vending isn’t just about providing convenient snacks; it’s about creating stability and options for the next generation. “This is something my kids can take over if they want to,” he says. “That offer will always be on the table.”

For Bay County, that means a fresh local business built on dedication, discipline, and heart. From the military to Main Street, Heart Throb Vending is bringing more than machines; it’s bringing a story of determination and the promise of growth.