Eleven-year-old Nohlen Peshel stands next to just one of the candy machines he owns and operates around Tama-Toledo. PHOTO BY MIKE N. IKE DAVIS

Candy, the sweet nectar of the gods; the delicious treat that can brighten any day with its sugary wonderfulness. We all love it, even though we may differ when it comes to our choice for consumption. Some like the chewy, fruity taste of the rainbow, while others prefer the melt in your mouth not in your hand richness. With all the choices, there is something out there for everyone.

Peanut butter M&M’s are the favorite of one budding entrepreneur, Nohlen Peshel. This young man of industry is only 11 years old and working through the perils of 6th grade, while earning a bit of cash on the side. If you are thinking Mr. Peshel got a part-time job or is earning his revenue through some standard means of boyhood labor, you’d be wrong. This young tycoon is making his way with something altogether more extravagant and tasty — candy machines.

The first fledgling spark of an idea came to Nohlen on a drive to Williamsburg for a volleyball tournament. Mr. Peshel’s initial thought was of vending machines, but that soon evolved into the classic candy machine. And from spark grew fire as not after long, Mr. Peshel put up his first machine at Shear Addiction in Toledo.

Word soon spread about the coin-operated wonders through the happy customers with their bellies full of sugar, because Mr. Peshel’s machines started popping up in more places, including one centrally located in the hall of the Tama Civic Center. However, these are still early days for Peshel’s candy machines.

The business is still building and growing. One day, in the near future, the young Willy Wonka wants to be in charge of a total of ten local candy machines.

The candy machines aren’t just Nohlen Peshel’s work or job, but his genesis.

“This is absolutely a starting point for future ventures,” he said.

So, the next time you’re out and about around town and you drop into the Civic Center for a meeting or stop by Shear Addiction for a trim, make sure to get rid of some of that loose change cluttering up your pocket. Treat yourself to something sweet, or chocolatey, or chewy, you deserve it. And know that it was provided by a hard working youngster whose eyes are firmly set on the future. You haven’t heard the last of this pre-teen candy man.