C-Store Leadership Keys: Trusting the Process with High Standards

May 29, 2025

Rhonda Nichols lives the profession of life of practicing c-store leadership keys every day. She didn’t follow the traditional cashier-to-manager path that many convenience store leaders take. Her journey into the world of convenience began early and unconventionally. She has carved out a unique leadership style rooted in experience, expectation, and empowerment.

Rhonda’s story starts in her teenage years, where she worked in a beauty school and eventually owned her own shop. “I was about 18, just out of school, I ran my own business, then moved into retail management, and eventually stumbled into convenience stores.” But this wasn’t her first brush with the industry. Her mother owned a store when Rhonda was younger, and that experience stuck with her. “I absolutely loved it. I liked the quick pace.”

Straight to Leadership

Rhonda has been with Fastbreak Stores for over nine and a half years. But from day one, she stepped into leadership. “I was managing a local convenience store when they approached me to join their team. I went straight into being a manager here because I had already been managing in my previous job.”

Her leadership experience wasn’t just from prior retail roles—it was also born out of her time running her own business. “What I brought with me was a sense of teamwork and holding people accountable to high standards—just like I do myself. I talk about it in my interviews. I draw a line in the sand, and that’s the line we don’t cross.”

High Standards and Higher Trust

Rhonda is known for setting the bar high, even for new hires. “I start people with high expectations because I want to bring out the best in them.” If you give them a short list, they’ll only do that much. If you give them a big list—even one that feels impossible—they’ll surprise, you. Rhonda knows that with leadership comes vulnerability. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes. Wisdom comes with bruises. But I’m okay with that, I’ve learned from them.

She believes the key is creating a balance between maintaining high standards and providing a supportive structure. “If people respect you, they’ll do what it takes to keep that respect”. It’s alright if they like me today, but I want them to respect me for the long haul.

Building a Team That Can Lead Without You

“I train everyone to be me,” Rhonda says simply. Her goal is to create a team that functions with or without her. “I’ve got people now who, if I wasn’t there, the store would still run just fine.” She doesn’t just hire anyone. “I only interview people who show up and check on their applications. If they walk in to see me face to face over a few days, I know they’re serious. That tells me they’re worth investing in.” Rhonda starts each relationship with trust. “Sometimes it doesn’t work out, but most times it does. I trust my gut. You get a feeling from someone, and sometimes you’re just right.”

Leadership Keys for New Managers

To those stepping into their first leadership roles, Rhonda’s advice: “Be true to yourself. Set your standards, and stick to them.”
She applies the same expectations across the board, whether it’s a new hire or a seasoned employee. “I hold everyone to the same standard at their level. If someone’s behind, I want them to come up. And those already doing well will keep pushing because they don’t want to fall behind.” Even though her approach is fair, it’s not always perceived as equal from the outside. From someone looking in, it might seem like she treat’s people differently. But her team knows what’s up. “They’ve seen me bring someone new in and know that’s how I treated them once, too.”

Creating Diamonds from the Rough

Rhonda’s philosophy is simple but powerful: believe in people even before they believe in themselves. “Sometimes you’ve got to take the rough one and polish them into a diamond. If they succeed, they feel good about themselves. And in return, I feel good for helping them get there.”

She sums up her style with humor and humility: “I fly by the seat of my pants, that’s what my mom always said. I have a master plan, but you’ve got to adjust on the fly when you’re dealing with so many personalities. And that’s the part I love.”

A Culture of Respect, Not Popularity

Rhonda is clear on her priorities. “People talk. But if they’re talking about me, maybe they’re leaving everyone else alone. I don’t need to be the most liked. I want to be respected. I want to be the person my team can come to and say, ‘Hey, I need help,’ and know I’ll be there.” Her passion shows through, even if it makes her vulnerable.

Rhonda Nichols is proof that leadership in the c-store world doesn’t have to follow one set path. From beauty school to store manager, from high expectations to deep trust—she’s built a leadership style rooted in resilience, adaptability, and belief in others.

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