By Lisa Lisanti, August 2010
As Appeared in Convenience Store News
Stanley “Jack” H. Tevis is the third generation of his family to lead Tevis Oil Inc., a business his grandfather started in 1932 by selling gasoline, heating oil and diesel fuel to residents in the local towns and farming communities of Carroll County, Md.
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It wasn’t until 1981, though, that the company opened its first convenience store/gas station combo in Finksburg, Md. Today, Tevis owns and operates four c-stores in Carroll County that fly the Jiffy Mart banner. Each of the stores features freshly brewed Lacas coffee, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, BLOCKBUSTER Express movie rentals, a wide variety of fresh foods and beverages, and neighborhood service with a smile. The retailer strives to offer the cleanest, best-stocked and friendliest stores in the county.
What was your previous job before getting into this business?
The practice of dentistry. After my father’s passing, I decided to take a full-time, active role in the family business.
Describe the first c-store you opened.
It was a store we purchased. It had a small sales area — perhaps 400 square feet for sales of cigarettes, sodas and snacks — and four fueling positions of unbranded fuel.
What was the greatest opportunity you found in operating a single store?
The opportunity to change things quickly.
What was the greatest challenge you faced operating a single store?
No economies of scale. Limited sales of store products caused us to have little leverage with vendors to lower our cost on the retail products we sold.
Why did you decide to open a second store, third store and so on?
We wanted to make additional investments in this business based on the success of the first store.
What’s been the most important?
Be patient in the development of store personnel. It takes time and nurturing to help people grow into being good stewards of your business and of their jobs.
What’s been your best idea yet?
None, but we have plagiarized many good ideas from others. First, pick the best piece of real estate available. If you don’t, your competitor will and out-compete you. Second, don’t be afraid to try new things. Third, address problems when they are small because they only get larger. Fourth, offer sincere, positive feedback on a regular basis when processes, procedures, people or products are working well. And fifth, let people “own” their jobs — none of us get any satisfaction from having someone tell us what to do and how to do it all the time.
What’s been your worst mistake yet?
Hiring based on experience over good references.
What’s your advice for a single-store owner who’s considering expanding?
It’s like being a parent. Whether you have one child or a dozen, you still spend all of your time on child-raising. So, you might as well have multiple children and stores.
What are the growth goals for your current operation?
To operate our existing stores well and when we achieve that, judiciously add a new, large store on the right piece of property.