How Mike Dowling is Building Across Industries

Some days start with stocking vending machines. Others end on a roof.

In between, there’s paperwork, scheduling, logistics, and whatever else it takes to keep multiple businesses moving.

“No two days are the same,” Mike Dowling said.

Building Across Industries

Mike Dowling is the true definition of an entrepreneur, but his path wasn’t linear. His background in project management and sales gave him a foundation, but most of what he’s built has come from stepping into different industries and figuring things out as he goes.

Currently, Mike is running three of his own businesses while also partnering in two others, with work spanning vending machines, logistics, construction, and real estate.

His vending machine business, ECI Vending, alone includes 10 machines across nine locations, including schools, gyms, MadJax, and public libraries throughout Muncie and beyond.

But that’s just one part of it.

On any given day, he might be managing operations from his desk, coordinating logistics, or out in the field handling hands-on work. It’s a mix of structure and unpredictability, and it’s where he thrives.

Outgrowing the Setup

Like a lot of entrepreneurs, Mike didn’t always have a dedicated place to run everything.

Working from home came with distractions. Previous spaces didn’t always reflect the level of professionalism he wanted as his businesses grew.

Having a place to meet with people, host interviews, and handle the day-to-day operations of multiple businesses became less of a convenience and more of a necessity.

A Home Base for It All

Now, Mike found a home at MadJax in The CO:LAB. He uses the space as his central place to manage the operational side of his businesses.

“It allows me to have a conference room, host other companies, and even conduct job interviews,” he said.

Before, he didn’t have a space he felt comfortable bringing people into. Now, he does. That shift makes it easier to move his businesses forward.

But it’s not just about having a space.

Being at MadJax has also put him in the middle of other people building things.

“I’ve made a few business connections as well,” he said.

On any given day, there are different people coming and going, running their own operations and building their own businesses.

“I see all different faces, a lot of people are running very good businesses out of there [The CO:LAB].”

Instead of working in isolation, he’s surrounded by others doing the same kind of work, and that creates opportunities you don’t get on your own.

Do the Homework. Then Do the Work.

When asked what advice he’d give someone who wants to start a business, his advice was simple.

Do your homework. Learn the industry. And then start.

But he also pointed out that some lessons only come from experience. At a certain point, you have to start and learn by doing.

“The best way to learn is… just doing it.”

Building What’s Next

Mike is focused on continuing to grow his businesses, including his newest venture, United Roofing Group.

Like everything else he’s built, it’s another step forward.

Not one path. Not one role.

Just the ongoing process of building something and continuing to move it forward.