C-Store Leadership Keys: Finding Your Place, Building Your People

Image of Hedi Sabo at her West Bryan Main Stop store. Heidi Sabo shared her experience with c-store leadership keys: finding your place, building your people. She didn’t start out thinking she’d run a convenience store. In fact, she tried just about everything else before settling into what became the perfect fit. Her story is one of exploration, resilience, and returning—again and again—to the c-store world until it finally stuck.

June 15, 2025

Heidi Sabo shared her experience with c-store leadership keys: finding your place, building your people. She didn’t start out thinking she’d run a convenience store. In fact, she tried just about everything else before settling into what became the perfect fit. Her story is one of exploration, resilience, and returning—again and again—to the c-store world until it finally stuck.

“I got into convenience stores when I was around 18 years old. I left, worked in factories, went to college to be a teacher, cut meat—I’ve done it all. But I always came back. No matter what, I came back to convenience industry. I finally decided to stay.”

Moving Up—Quickly, and for a Reason

Heidi has been at West Bryan Main Stop for 12 to 13 years, 8 of those as manager. She started as a cashier when her current company purchased the store and never looked back. “I like people. I always have. That’s what made this the place I wanted to stay. I moved up faster here than in factories or other jobs. I’ve always been drawn to people.” She sees the c-store industry as a clear path to the American dream. Her rise from cashier to store manager is proof of how accessible success can be. “It’s just the kind of place where you can step up—if you want to.”

Daily Tools, Quick Fixes and Celebrations

One of Heidi’s most powerful tools is something simple: the daily scorecard. She doesn’t overcomplicate it. “My assistant and I check it every day. We look at what’s down, and then we figure out why. Then we look at the good stuff. It doesn’t take more than five or ten minutes. It’s quick.” It’s not just about numbers—it’s about action. “If something’s off, we ask why. If something’s working, we celebrate. Like, we brought in a seasonal beer and saw the impact right away. That’s a win. We celebrate with pizza, gold stars—because sometimes we’re like little kids. We laugh a lot. Happy people make a happy place.” For Heidi, that positivity is key to keeping things on track and people invested. But she also knows the flip side.

When Things Go Bad, Go All In

Heidi’s team has faced its share of chaos—electrical issues, register malfunctions, gas pumps going down, and unexplained money losses that seemed to vanish into thin air. “First, I had a meltdown. Then I reached out to everyone—corporate, Marathon, back office, programmers, engineers. I didn’t stop until I had help.” It took two years to work through the mess. But they made it. Together. For Heidi, that’s what defines a real team: people who stay in the fight together, no matter how tough things get.

Hired for Heart, Held by Trust

Heidi doesn’t run her store with just a schedule—she runs it with connection. Her team isn’t just a group of employees; they’re people she’s known and trusted for years. Some she met before they ever clocked in. She’s helped with their kids, spent weekends at the movies—because trust doesn’t start at the register.

That trust shows up every day. Heidi can sense when someone’s off before a word is said. She checks in, gives them space when needed, and reminds them: the store can be a reset. “I can tell when they walk through the door if something’s wrong. But I also tell them: this is your vacation. You’re on an island. Leave it at the door. Let’s have a good day.” She balances structure with humanity. That personal connection makes accountability easier, not harder. “If you train them right, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Advice for New Managers – Finding Your Place, Building Your People

“Treat everyone like a human being. Without my team, I could do it—but I don’t want to. I need them. I appreciate them.”

Heidi Sabo’s leadership comes from experience—not a textbook. Her lessons are real, her methods personal, and her store a place where people stick around because they matter. And that’s what keeps her coming back. Every time.

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