From Fear to 15 Stores: A Family Business Growth Story
When a young next-generation leader took over his family’s wholesale business, he was certain about one thing: he’d never run a retail convenience store.
He’d heard too many horror stories about staffing headaches, high turnover, theft, and slim margins. He even joked at Meridian events that he’d leave the retail headaches to someone else.
But life, and business, had other plans.
After repossessing a convenience store as part of a deal, he found himself in the one role he swore he’d never take on. And something surprising happened: he made it work. Not just work, thrive!
The Turning Point
Once he stepped into the challenge, he discovered that the retail side of the business wasn’t as terrifying as he’d imagined. In fact, it became an opportunity to grow in unexpected ways.
How? By focusing on culture.
This leader had already built a strong reputation as a great employer in his wholesale business. People in his community wanted to work for him. That reputation carried over into retail, making it easier to find and retain good people… a challenge that scares off many business owners.
With the help of Meridian’s coaching, systems, and retail-specific tools, he and his team put the right processes in place and hired a retail manager to lead the charge.
In just a few years, his portfolio grew from a single repossessed store to 15 thriving locations, with a goal of hitting 25 soon.
Why Culture Matters
This story is a powerful reminder that when you invest in your team and create a positive workplace culture, you become a magnet; not just for employees, but for opportunities.
What started as fear became growth. What looked like a dead end became a launchpad.
And because he stayed true to his values, treating people well, building systems, and growing deliberately, his business grew with integrity, attracting deals and talent without chasing them.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back, you might surprise yourself.
- A strong culture attracts the right people and opportunities.
- Systems and support are essential for growing wisely.
If you want to hear the full conversation about this inspiring journey and get actionable insights you can use in your own family business listen to the full podcast episode here: on the Family Business Breakthroughs podcast.
