Convenience Store Resources: A Practical Guide to Growing in the Industry
After spending 27 years in the convenience store industry, I’ve learned a thing or two about the challenges and opportunities it offers. My primary focus is to share training content and helpful materials that support individuals like you on your journey to growth and success.
Hello everyone, I’m Mike Hernandez. After spending 27 years in the convenience store business, I’ve learned a thing or two about the challenges and opportunities this industry offers. Now, my main focus is to share training content and helpful materials that can support people like you—whether you’re a sales associate, a store manager, or a district manager—on your journey to grow and succeed.
Working in convenience stores, I noticed how tough it can be to get proper training. Stores are often busy, bosses are swamped, and coworkers are juggling their own tasks. It’s hard to find time for meaningful conversations or training sessions tailored just for you. Sometimes, you might find yourself working overnight shifts, wondering about things but not having anyone around to ask. I get it because I’ve been there.
Table of Contents
- Why Convenience Store Resources Matter
- Challenges in Getting Proper Training
- Reminders and Resets for Experienced Professionals
- Breaking the Cycle of Frustration
- The Solution: Accessible and Practical Training Materials
- How You Can Use These Resources
- Who Am I? A Bit About My Background
- Podcasts to Fit Your Schedule
- Inclusive Training for Diverse Teams
- Where to Find These Resources
- Sharing Is Caring
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Convenience Store Resources Matter
For many who work in convenience stores, the news and product updates might seem cool but don’t always feel relevant to your day-to-day. Often, you don’t have control over what comes down from corporate or what products you’re expected to sell. That’s why I decided to create content that’s proactive and accessible whenever you need it, helping you develop your skills at your own pace.
People are people, no matter where you work or what part of the country you’re in. Everyone wants an opportunity to do better. Some want it more than others, and if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’re one of those who really want to move up, earn more, and get the training you deserve. This is for you.
Challenges in Getting Proper Training
As a store manager, I understood how hard it was to get staff trained properly. And as a district manager, it was even tougher making sure every location was on the same page with employee development plans. I’ve been in meetings where district managers were at their wits’ end, dealing with all kinds of challenges. This content is my way of giving back to those managers who are trying to do their best in tough situations.
Now, I don’t claim to know everything or cover every single topic out there. Not everything will apply to you, especially if you work in a corporate store where things are pretty structured. Sometimes, you don’t have the freedom to try new ideas or make suggestions. But if you’re in an independent store, you might have more room to innovate and even get some recognition for it.
Reminders and Resets for Experienced Professionals
For those of you who’ve been around a while, sometimes it’s just good to get a reminder or a fresh perspective. Whether you’re an operations manager or even a CEO, these ideas can be useful during meetings or weekly check-ins. A quick reset or recalibration can help get your team back on track and spark conversations that lead to improvements.
Talking things through often leads to moments like, “Oh yeah, I hadn’t thought about that in a while,” or “I wonder how that’s going at our locations.” Those conversations are priceless and can inspire real change.
Breaking the Cycle of Frustration
One thing I’ve always hated is spinning my wheels—going through the same problems over and over without progress. It’s like the old story of Prometheus, chained to a rock while vultures pick at him daily. That’s how it felt sometimes, dealing with recurring issues without solutions.
In the industry, there’s always something pulling you in different directions. I’ve been guilty of meaning to spend quality time developing a manager only to get pulled away by an urgent call from my boss or corporate. These interruptions often put training on the back burner.
The Solution: Accessible and Practical Training Materials
Now that I have more time, I’m dedicating myself to creating resources that supplement what your company might already offer. Think of it like supplemental insurance—this isn’t a replacement but an extra layer of support. Some smaller or independently owned stores might not have the same resources, so this can fill that gap.
If you’re an independent owner, you might not have access to the experience or tools that larger companies provide. That’s why I want to make sure these materials are available to you, helping you and your staff learn and grow.
How You Can Use These Resources
I’ve organized content by categories like store manager, district manager, and sales associate. There are even membership options in the works. Right now, you can access blog posts, audio versions, and downloadable resources like Word documents that you can print and use in your store.
For example, one resource is a “dead inventory” checklist. It helps you identify products that have been sitting on shelves too long and aren’t selling. You can print this out, walk through your store, and start tackling those slow-moving items.
These exercises aren’t just theory—they’re designed to be practical so you can apply them directly in your store. If you have questions, I plan to create more videos to answer them and keep the conversation going.
Who Am I? A Bit About My Background
In case you’re wondering who I am, I’ve spent decades in convenience stores and created a lot of content over the years. I used to publish newsletters daily, and I have over 450 editions archived. This isn’t a fly-by-night effort; it’s built on years of experience.
I also run a private Facebook group with around 670 members where independent owners can connect and learn together. It’s free and designed to break down barriers to training and development.
Podcasts to Fit Your Schedule
For those who prefer audio, I’ve produced podcasts tailored to different positions:
- Sales Associates – 67 episodes - (Dive Series)
- Assistant Managers (the toughest job, in my opinion!) - (Survive Series)
- Store Managers (Thrive series)
- District Managers (Drive series)
- Store Owners (Arrive series)
If you’re pressed for time, there are short “smoke break” episodes, lasting 4-7 minutes, perfect for quick learning during a break or commute.
Inclusive Training for Diverse Teams
Living near the U.S.-Mexico border and having worked in various parts of the country, I’ve seen firsthand how many employees speak Spanish. To support everyone, I’ve worked on Spanish-language content and materials for kitchen staff as well. It’s important that training is accessible to all team members, no matter their background.
Where to Find These Resources
You can access podcasts and other materials on popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and Pocket Casts. No excuses—there’s nothing stopping you from learning whenever you’re ready.
District managers, store owners, and corporate leaders, it’s in your best interest to encourage your employees to use these resources. Well-trained staff do better work, which makes your job easier and your stores more successful.
Sharing Is Caring
This content isn’t just for you to keep to yourself. Please share it with anyone who could benefit. Convenience stores are everywhere, and someone, somewhere, especially those working the graveyard shift, could use this support.
My goal is simple: to help you grow, learn, and succeed in the convenience store industry. I hope you find these Convenience Store Resources valuable and look forward to hearing how they help you.
Thanks for reading, and here’s to your success!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can benefit from these Convenience Store Resources?
Anyone working in the convenience store industry—from sales associates to store managers, district managers, and store owners—can benefit. The resources are designed to support learning and development at all levels.
Are these resources free to access?
Yes! Many of the materials, including blog posts, podcasts, and downloadable documents, are available for free. Some membership options are being developed, but the core content remains accessible.
How do I use the downloadable resources?
You can download Word documents like checklists or training exercises, print them out, and use them directly in your store to identify issues such as dead inventory or to help with employee development.
What if I don’t have time for long training sessions?
There are short podcast episodes called “smoke breaks” lasting 4 to 7 minutes, perfect for quick learning during breaks or commutes.
Can non-English speakers access these resources?
Yes, there are Spanish-language materials available, and efforts are ongoing to provide training for diverse teams, including kitchen staff.
Why should corporate leaders encourage their employees to use these resources?
Well-trained employees perform better, which improves store operations and makes management easier. Encouraging staff to use these resources benefits everyone.
