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YOU'LL LEARN:
- HOW TO GATHER THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS SUCCESSION: Learn about our resource that helps find and identify essential information needed for a successful leadership transition.
- SIMPLE 5 STEP PROCESS TO A COMPLETE FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION
- MERIDIAN’S APPROACH TO FAMILY BUSINESS GROWTH IN SALES, MARKETING, AND FINANCIALS
- BONUS RESOURCES: Learn the essential resources you need to hire and retain the very best employees in today’s job market!
A Vision Re-written: How Saying “Never” Sparked 15 New Stores
What happens when the very thing you swore you’d never do becomes the key to your biggest growth? That’s exactly what happened to one of Meridian’s standout next-gen leaders and his journey offers powerful lessons for every family business owner.
This rising leader had recently stepped into his father’s shoes and was ready to grow the company but smartly. His business was rooted in wholesale, and one thing was certain:
“I’m never going to run a convenience store.”
Famous last words.
The Twist No One Saw Coming
Life and business have a way of challenging our assumptions. Through an unexpected turn of events, this leader ended up repossessing a convenience store that had been underperforming. Suddenly, he was in the exact business he’d vowed to avoid.
What changed?
He made it profitable fast.
Turning Fear Into Fuel
At first, his concerns were valid. He’d heard horror stories about high employee turnover, theft, and operational headaches from others in the retail space. But with support from Meridian, he leaned into:
- Building a culture-first team
- Implementing retail systems and processes
- Coaching for his new retail manager
- Using MeridianMembers tools to streamline operations
The result? His first store thrived. Then came a second. Then more.
Today, he owns 15 convenience stores with a goal of 25 by the end of the year.
Growth with Heart
What’s most remarkable isn’t just the numbers. It’s that he’s growing without becoming the “big guy” takeover story. He’s known in his community for fair leadership and strong culture. His success has made him a magnet for talent and for opportunity.
In fact, most of his new deals come to him because of the culture and reputation he’s built.
He’s also diversifying into new industries to reduce concentration risk and build long-term stability… another hallmark of smart family business leadership.
Shape
Takeaways for Your Family Business
- Never say never: You may find your greatest growth where you least expect it.
- Culture is your competitive edge: It attracts talent, opportunity, and trust.
- Systems support scale: Don’t wing it. Build infrastructure before you expand.
- Community reputation matters: People do business with those they respect.
At Meridian, we walk alongside business owners like this every day equipping them with tools, coaching, and clarity to thrive through change.
Want to explore what’s next for your family business? Visit out site or give us a call, 817-594-0546. We’d love to hear your story.
YOU'LL LEARN:
- HOW TO GATHER THE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR BUSINESS SUCCESSION: Learn about our resource that helps find and identify essential information needed for a successful leadership transition.
- SIMPLE 5 STEP PROCESS TO A COMPLETE FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION
- MERIDIAN’S APPROACH TO FAMILY BUSINESS GROWTH IN SALES, MARKETING, AND FINANCIALS
- BONUS RESOURCES: Learn the essential resources you need to hire and retain the very best employees in today’s job market!
For over 30 years Meridian Associates has been empowering multi-generational family businesses by providing online coaching on strategic growth in sales, finances, and marketing as well as hiring best practices and succession planning. For the first time, these on-demand courses, tools, and resources are available for a low monthly membership.
This on-demand membership gives multi-generational family business access to all of our training modules and can be accessed by clicking “sign up” for immediate, online access! If you are looking for a more done-with-you, hands on, coaching approach, click the M-Power Membership option to book a call with our family business specialists to discuss if M-Power is right for your family business.