She grew her business during the pandemic — with a vending machine

Andrianna Mitchell had been intrigued by a vending machine selling products other than food.

She’d heard of vending machines in Japan that offered all sorts of products, and when the pandemic hit and the popularity of contactless shopping grew, the 25-year-old decided it was time to take the leap for her Sioux Falls-based cosmetics and clothing business.

Mitchell’s business, Vanity Closet, sells locally made makeup as well as skin care, lash and other beauty supplies. It opened in December 2019 as an online-only retailer, and she ordered a custom vending machine from overseas to expand her business in October 2020.

Now, she sells more from the vending machine than she does in her online store.

“The vending machine has definitely become a huge part of my business,” she said. “They can just get everything they want right there, right when they need it.”

Mitchell started her cosmetics career as a hobby when she was studying science at the University of South Dakota.

“I thought it (science) would be my calling,” she said. “I never expected it to be cosmetic science.”

She creates all the products herself, many of which are vegan, and all of which use natural ingredients.

Vanity Closet also offers clothing, accessories and hair products, including wigs and lash extensions.

After seeing the vending machine’s success, Mitchell plans to add more around town. She also foresees a brick-and-mortar location down the line to better showcase all her clothing and cosmetic products.

Shoppers can find Vanity Closet online at vanitycloset.co, and the vending machine is located across from Foot Locker in The Empire Mall.