ATMs & Kiosks

At the Watercooler with Eduardo De Azevedo of Amerikiosks and Pharmabox

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Photo: Networld Media Group

June 24, 2025 by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group

Describe your current role.

I am currently the CFO and Co-Founder of both Pharmabox and Amerikiosks. My role blends strategic finance with innovation and business development, and I oversee the full spectrum of financial operations, corporate growth, and technology integration. At Pharmabox, we've redefined the concept of vending by merging automated retail with healthcare and convenience. Through Amerikiosks, I lead projects that bring brands such as Fan Stand, Carlos Bakery, and iStore into the automated retail space, developing scalable models that thrive in high-traffic environments like airports, cruise lines, and amusement parks.

What was your first-ever career role and what is one important lesson you learned from it?

I started my professional journey in Venezuela as a Certified Public Accountant, managing financial operations across industries as diverse as food distribution, design, and entertainment. That early exposure taught me the importance of adaptability how to tailor financial strategy not just to numbers but to people, markets, and momentum. It's a lesson that's served me well as I transitioned from auditor to entrepreneur.

What inspired you to work in your industry?

I've always believed that automation is the future of retail. After moving to the United States and witnessing how underserved communities and high-traffic locations struggled with product accessibility, I saw an opportunity to make retail smarter, faster, and more equitable. That vision gave birth to Pharmabox and later Amerikiosks. My background in logistics, accounting, and systems allowed me to create businesses where technology meets convenience and where strategy meets service.

What do you enjoy most about your current role?

I love being at the center of business strategy and innovation. Whether I'm negotiating a nationwide rollout with a Fortune 500 company or helping a niche brand scale through automation, I get to build pathways for growth. There's something deeply satisfying about watching a prototype machine evolve into a network of operations that reaches millions.

What's a common misconception people have about what you do?

People often assume that in a vending machine business all you have to do is place a machine, stock it, and wait. What they don't see is the complex infrastructure behind each unit: product strategy, licensing, AI integration, logistics, and compliance. Each machine is a tailored solution. We're not just putting snacks in a box; we're redefining retail footprints.

What is one career achievement you're most proud of?

Securing a strategic partnership with CVS to integrate their private label into automated systems was a defining moment. It validated the Pharmabox model on a national scale and helped us deliver essential goods where they're most needed at airports, universities, and beyond. That collaboration not only expanded CVS's brand reach but also reduced our product costs by 30%, proving that innovation and financial prudence can go hand in hand.

What do you do to have fun outside of work?

Outside my workplace, I'm passionate about collecting antiquities and sports cards. I also enjoy tennis and basketball. These hobbies keep me grounded, challenge my focus in different ways, and often inspire creativity in my professional life.

Where did you grow up and how did your upbringing impact the person you are today?

I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, in a household where resilience and responsibility were daily lessons. That foundation instilled in me a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial mindset. Every challenge we faced growing up helped shape my approach to leadership, valuing integrity, vision, and adaptability.

Is there anything else you would like to tell people about yourself or your company/organization?

Pharmabox and Amerikiosks are more than vending companies: We're platforms for brand evolution. Whether it's expanding access to healthcare products or enabling companies to reach supporters nationwide, we are proving that automation can be deeply human, personal, and impactful. Our mission is clear: make retail smarter and more accessible, one machine at a time.

About Sandra Carpenter

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Sandra is the editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times. She has been working in editorial and research roles for over a decade and has experience in print, blog, social media and peer-reviewed publications.

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