Arrive

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This podcast is for multi-unit managers and independent owners striving to scale their success and widen the scope of their success and impact. Together we will strive to get you to the top of the mountain.

  1. 3D AGO

    THE STING (THE MILLION DOLLAR ASSET)

    Show Notes (Arrive Version) Episode Title: The Sting: The Million Dollar Asset (Episode 85) Episode Description: "A revoked license isn't a penalty. It's a bankruptcy." For an Independent Store Owner, your ability to sell age-restricted products is the foundation of your business valuation. If a clerk fails a sting and the state suspends your license, the loss of foot traffic can permanently damage your P&L. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez explains the legal concept of the "Safe Harbor Defense" and how to prove to a judge that you take compliance seriously. We cover the ROI of upgrading your POS scanners, the necessity of third-party secret shoppers, and why Mike left the industry to get a Master's degree in teaching just to fix the "Sink or Swim" training culture. What You Will Learn: The Safe Harbor Defense: How robust training documentation can save your license in court.Technology ROI: Why investing in hard-stop ID scanners is cheaper than a single state fine.Internal Auditing: The importance of paying for your own secret shoppers to catch bad habits before the police do.The Teacher's Approach: Mike shares his journey of becoming a high school teacher to master adult learning theory and combat the industry's 120% turnover rate.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the License Asset Protection Audit: Text the word ASSET to 956-897-9192.🎧 Recommended Listen: Dive: Episode 74 (Hear the exact scripts your clerks should be using to refuse a sale without starting a fight).

    4 min

  2. FEB 14

    THE GLASS CAGE (ASSET PROTECTION)

    Show Notes (Arrive Version) Episode Title: The Glass Cage: Asset Protection & Liability (Episode 84) Episode Description: "A dark parking lot is a lawsuit waiting to happen." For a Store Owner, safety isn't just about protecting people; it's about protecting the asset from "Negligent Security" claims. One incident can spike your insurance premiums or lead to a settlement that wipes out your annual profit. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the legal concept of Foreseeability and how to build an "Audit Trail" that defends you in court. Plus, a special welcome to Kristin (Member #1)! We also share the story of "The Lucas Plan"—Mike's 25-year journey to his degree—as a reminder that resilience is the owner's most valuable asset. What You Will Learn: Negligent Security: Why you can be sued for crimes committed by other people on your property.The Audit Trail: How to document your repairs and training so you have proof of "Due Diligence."Insurance ROI: How security upgrades (cameras, lighting) can directly lower your premiums.The "Lucas Plan": Mike shares his personal story of persistence—taking 25 years to earn his degree—proving that it's never too late to achieve your goals.Community Shout-Out: Welcoming Kristin (Member #1) to the Ownership circle.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Owner's Liability Shield: Text the word SHIELD to 956-897-9192.🎧 Recommended Listen: Drive: Episode 74 (Hear how the District Manager audits the territory for these specific risks).

    3 min

  3. FEB 7

    THE BALANCE SHEET LIE (CAPITAL EFFICIENCY)

    Show Notes (Arrive Version) Episode Title: The Balance Sheet Lie: Capital Efficiency (Episode 83) Episode Description: "Is your inventory an asset or a liability?" If your inventory counts are inflated by "Ghosts" (Phantom Inventory), you are paying taxes on assets you don't possess and sabotaging your store's valuation. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez breaks down the Financial Impact of data errors. We discuss why "Clean Books" are essential for refinancing or selling your business, and how to encourage your management team to "take the hit" now to ensure future cash flow. What You Will Learn: The Valuation Risk: How phantom inventory creates discrepancies that can kill a business sale or loan application.The "Ghost Tax": Why you are paying insurance and taxes on product that doesn't exist.Incentive Alignment: How to stop your Managers from hiding shrink to protect their short-term bonus.The Scalable Solution: Mike explains how to use the C-Store Center network to train your entire organization without you having to run every workshop.Resources & Links: 📲 Download the Asset Protection Scorecard: Text the word ASSET to 956-897-9192.

    3 min

  4. FEB 1

    THE COLD WAR (THE COOLER)

    Episode Title: The Cold War: Mastering the Cooler (Episode 82) Episode Description: It eats 50% of your electricity bill. Is it paying its rent? For an Independent Owner, the walk-in cooler is a massive financial engine. It generates high-margin sales, but it also burns cash through utilities and maintenance. More importantly, it is the center of your Exclusive Distribution Agreements (EDA). In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez treats the cooler like a commercial real estate investment. We discuss "Contract Compliance," why losing shelf share to rogue products can kill your quarterly rebate checks, and how to perform an "Energy Sweep" to stop profit from leaking out of your door seals. What You Will Learn: The Rent Rule: Treating shelf space as leased property. If the vendor doesn't pay (via margin or rebate), they don't get the spot.Rebate Compliance: How "SKU Creep" can accidentally disqualify you from your beverage contract bonuses.Energy ROI: The hidden cost of bad gaskets and old lighting, and how to fix it cheaply.The Dollar Bill Test: A 5-second trick to check if your cooler doors are wasting electricity.The Quest: Audit the Asset. Solo Quest: Perform a "Rebate Audit." Review your Coke/Pepsi/Dr. Pepper contract. Verify that your physical shelf layout matches the percentage required to hit your maximum rebate tier.Team Quest: The "Dollar Bill Test." Check the gaskets on every door. If the seal is loose, order replacements immediately. Stop cooling the sales floor.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 4 Contract Guide: Text the code word COLD to 956-897-9192.

    4 min

  5. JAN 24

    THE CASH REGISTER CAGE MATCH

    Episode Title: The Cash Register Cage Match: Speed vs. Accuracy (Episode 81) Episode Description: A customer walks in, sees a line of five people, turns around, and walks out. That isn't just a lost sale; that is money leaving your building. For an Independent Owner, the register is the single biggest bottleneck in your investment. It is your Checkout Funnel. If your team takes 90 seconds to ring a transaction instead of 45, they have literally cut your maximum revenue potential in half during the morning rush. In this episode of Arrive, Mike Hernandez moves beyond "customer service" and talks about Asset Optimization. We analyze the cost of "Friction" vs. "Flow," calculate the lifetime value of a lost customer, and give you the tools to widen the funnel so you can bank more of the traffic you are already paying to get. What You Will Learn: The Checkout Funnel: Why the register is the "lid" on your store's revenue growth.Speed = Capacity: How increasing transaction speed instantly increases your sales ceiling.Friction vs. Flow: Why an employee hunting for a PLU code is actually lowering your business valuation.The Walk-Out Audit: A simple way to calculate exactly how much money a slow line is costing you every morning.The Quest: Widen the funnel. Solo Quest: Conduct a "Walk-Out Audit." Review your security footage from 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM. Count the customers who entered but left without buying because of the line. Multiply that number by your average ticket ($7.00) to see your daily loss.Team Quest: Audit your Managers. Demand the results of the "10-Item Dash." Don't ask if they are fast; ask who is dragging down the average. Make them own the speed of their team.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 3 Optimization Guide: Text the code word SPEED to 956-897-9192.🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Johnny Mecuerdo Chapter 2 is here. The ships La Muerte and La Sancha are waiting. Join the story at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook.Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

    4 min

  6. JAN 18

    THE 10-SECOND AUDITION

    Episode Title: The 10-Second Audition: Why Customers Drive By Your Store (Episode 80) Episode Description: Stop me if you’ve done this: You drive past a restaurant because the sign is flickering or the parking lot looks dark. You didn't taste the food, but you judged the business instantly. Your customers are doing the same thing to your store every single night. In this episode of C-Store Legends, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Front Stage" concept. Most employees think their job starts when they clock in, but the sale is actually won or lost in the parking lot. We are moving beyond the basic "Trash Run" and teaching you the "Perimeter Sweep"—the 2-minute tactic that ensures you pass the customer's 10-second audition. What You Will Learn: The Front Stage vs. Back Stage: Why the parking lot is the most critical sales floor in your building.The "Soccer Mom" Test: How to view your store through the eyes of your most safety-conscious customer.The Perimeter Sweep: A specific routine to replace lazy trash runs.Leadership Tactics: How to use the shift change to enforce exterior standards without being a nag.The Quest: Pass the audition. Solo Quest: Walk to the curb. Find one piece of trash that isn't yours. Pick it up.Team Quest: Text a photo of your cleanest pump to the number below.Resources & Links: 📲 Unlock the Level 2 Guide: Text the word CURB to 956-897-9192.🏴‍☠️ Sponsor: Join the crew at Johnny Mecuerdo on Facebook for the upcoming launch of the industry's most legendary gear.Full Show Notes & Visuals: Visit C-Store Thrive

    4 min

  7. JAN 13

    The 5 Levels of C-Store Mastery: From Dive to Arrive

    Episode Title: The 5 Levels of C-Store Mastery: From Dive to Arrive Episode Description: Retail training is broken. It’s passive, boring, and frankly, it doesn’t stick. Today, we are pausing the standard playbook to introduce the new reality of the industry: Sink or Swim. In this episode, Mike Hernandez breaks down the "Old Way" of training versus the "New Era" of the Operator. We introduce the 5 stages of a convenience store career and the specific mindset shift required to master each one: Dive (Sales Associate): How to stop drowning in the details.Survive (Assistant Manager): Escaping the "purgatory" between peer and boss.Thrive (Store Manager): Moving from 70-hour weeks to operational excellence.Drive (District Manager): The shift from running a unit to leading a territory.Arrive (Independent Owner): Facing the hard truths about theft, inventory, and legacy.The era of the Passive Manager is over. It’s time to start keeping score. 🔗 GET THE VISUAL GUIDE: Don't just listen—execute. Go to www.cstorethrive.com to access the Members Only One-Pager breaking down all 5 levels and your first action item for the week. Connect with Mike: Website: C-Store ThriveProduction: C-Store Legends is a Sink or Swim Production.

    1 min

  8. 05/18/2025

    Smart Priorities: Managing Multiple Demands Successfully

    Episode 78 Show Notes:  Smart Priorities - Managing Multiple Demands Successfully Episode Description In this final episode of the "Arrive" series from C-Store Center, host Mike Hernandez tackles the challenge every convenience store owner faces - managing competing demands and setting smart priorities when everything feels urgent. Discover how Rachel Torres transformed her store operations and increased profit margins by 15% without working more hours or hiring additional staff. Her "Power Priority System" revolutionized how she decides what deserves her attention, reducing stress and creating a more independent team. 📚 What You'll Learn: The "Value Velocity" method for evaluating what truly deserves your timeCreating your "Power Start Protocol" for the first 15 minutes of your dayImplementing the "Split Shift Strategy" to balance customer service and operationsBuilding your "Priority Power Matrix" for almost automatic decision-makingProtecting your focus with the "Buffer Zone Defense" against interruptionsUsing the "50-30-20 Rule" to allocate time across immediate priorities, improvement, and growthReal Success Stories: How one owner discovered they were spending 70% of time on low-value tasksThe store that reduced spoilage costs by $200 weekly with a simple closing checklistAn owner whose team handled 80% of issues independently after dedicated training timeThe 60% reduction in emergency repair costs through scheduled maintenanceSarah in Boston who transformed her business with a clear time allocation frameworkKey Insights: ✅ Training staff just one hour daily enabled 80% independent problem-solving ✅ The "Block and Buffer" method creates space for unexpected issues ✅ The "Two-Then-Me" rule reduced interruptions by 70% ✅ Proper prioritization leads to more accomplishment in 4 hours than previously in 8 ✅ Success isn't about doing everything—it's doing the right things at the right time Target Audience Independent convenience store owners seeking practical strategies for managing multiple demands, setting effective priorities, and focusing on what truly moves their business forward Episode Key Points 1. Understanding Task Categories  Value Velocity assessment methodProfit Priority List for revenue-generating activitiesSavings Spotter system for cost reductionCustomer Value Matrix evaluationTraining ROI Tracker for staff developmentEmergency Filter for true urgency evaluationTimeline Triage for deadline managementPrevention Priority checklistFuture Focus Time for growth opportunities2. Prioritization Systems  Power Start Protocol for daily structureQuick Sort System with impact and urgency scoresBlock and Buffer method for realistic schedulingShift and Adapt rules for flexibilityPriority Power Matrix for decision-makingReturn on Time calculator for value analysisResource Reality Check for realistic planningRipple Effect Review for system-wide impactProgress Pipeline for visual tracking3. Managing Competing Demands  Split Shift Strategy for customer needs vs. operationsDevelopment Defense system for business growthNow and Later Grid for short vs. long-term balanceCrisis Criteria Checklist for interruption managementEnergy Matching Method for peak performanceCapability Map for staff utilizationROI Ranking system for financial decisionsEnergy Preservation Protocol for sustainability50-30-20 Rule for time allocation framework4. Maintaining Focus  Focus Lock technique for boundariesBuffer Zone Defense against interruptionsPriority Shield method for top goalsVictory Log for progress trackingFlexible Focus Framework for course correctionReality Checks for weekly reassessmentResource Reset method for reallocationBetter-By-Degree system for continuous improvement5. Action Items  Create your Priority Power Matrix tomorrow morningSchedule three one-hour Focus Lock blocks this weekStart your Victory Log to track completions and impactResources Mentioned Essential Tools: Priority Power Matrix for decision makingBlock and Buffer scheduling methodTwo-Then-Me rule for interruption managementCrisis Criteria Checklist for emergency evaluationFocus Lock technique for protected time50-30-20 Rule for time allocationAvailable Resources: Priority setting templatesDecision matrix toolsTask tracking guidesImplementation checklistsConnect With Us For Quick Daily Tips: Smoke Break Store Owners - 4-7 minute episodes perfect for busy store owners Join Our Community: Visit cstorethrive.com for articles, activities, and resources Assessment Questions for Practice: Priority conflict resolution between competing high-impact tasksFocus protection strategy that balances staff needsResource optimization for balancing operations and strategyAdaptation strategy for unexpected opportunitiesImplementation planning for a balanced weekly scheduleProduction Credits Arrive from C-Store Center is a Sink or Swim Production Host: Mike Hernandez Special Note: This concludes the "Arrive" series! Continue your professional development journey with our "Smoke Break" episodes and resources at cstorethrive.com. Episode Tags: Time Management, Priority Setting, Decision Making, Focus Techniques, Business Growth, Store Owner Development, Productivity, Strategic Planning

    24 min
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About

This podcast is for multi-unit managers and independent owners striving to scale their success and widen the scope of their success and impact. Together we will strive to get you to the top of the mountain.

Information

  • Creator
    C-Store Center
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 C-Store Center