July 29, 2025
Nickie McNeal didn’t just grow up around convenience stores—she built her career inside them, learning firsthand what strong C-store leadership looks like.
Today, she’s one of two district managers at Saneholtz-McKarns Inc., helping lead a team across all 16 Main Stop locations. But her journey started with a simple directive from her mom: “I need help, so you’re going to work for me.” She was 16 and stepping in as a cashier. By 19, she was an assistant manager. Eventually, she ran her own store, then another. And when the company needed a new district manager, she stepped into that role too.
Leading Together
Nickie shares the DM role with her longtime friend, Carrie. It’s not a typical setup. “We don’t split the stores. We both visit every location, and we share all the responsibilities,” she explains. “It only works because we make sure we’re always on the same page.” That unity is intentional.
“We sit down a lot—just talk through decisions before they’re made. Sometimes I have one idea, and she’ll say, ‘Yeah, but did you think of this?’ That kind of back-and-forth keeps us balanced.” Their friendship goes back decades—they met in elementary school—and that shared history helps. “We know each other’s strengths. We talk through hard stuff. Even if we don’t agree at first, we work through it together.”
Working with Family—and Drawing the Line
Nickie’s path started in family, too. Her mom was her first boss. “There are definitely challenges working with family. You have to set boundaries, and you always have to do what’s right.” That principle was tested years later when she had to investigate a friend involved in wrongdoing at work. “It wasn’t easy—but I knew what had to be done.”
Nickie’s approach is clear: fairness comes first. “If a situation ever makes it too hard to do your job the right way, step back and let someone else handle it. You can’t let relationships compromise the integrity of your work.”
Her advice to others: “Be honest. Set expectations early. And if things start to feel complicated—talk to your team. That’s what they’re there for.”
From Mistakes to Management
Nickie credits many of her leadership strengths to the hard lessons learned early on. “I thought I knew
what I was doing. And I didn’t. I hit walls, got frustrated. But that’s how you learn.”
Now, she works hard to pass that lesson on. “One of my favorite things about this role is helping managers realize that a mistake isn’t failure. It’s a lesson. And it doesn’t mean you’re not good at your job. It’s just a learning experience.”
Her advice to aspiring managers? Lean on your team. “You’re not alone. I’ve been doing this for 24 years, and I still ask for help.”
The Reality of the Role
Nickie doesn’t sugarcoat the job. “It’s hard. It’s stressful. You’re always dealing with new problems—and some days, it feels like you’ve seen it all, and then something completely different happens.” But she also believes that those challenges can bring out the best in people.
“We chose you for a reason,” she says to new leaders. “Let your personality come through. Use your voice. Use your team. You can’t—and shouldn’t—do it alone.”
For Nickie, communication is key. “Even just saying, ‘Hey, this happened today. Here’s what I’m thinking—what do you think?’ That kind of openness builds trust.”
Staying Positive in a Tough Industry
Through it all, Nickie holds tight to one principle: stay positive.
“I try to find something good, even on the worst days. At least we got through it. At least we figured it out.” That mindset is something she hopes to pass down to every manager and assistant coming up behind her.
“You’re going to have great days. You’re going to have bad days. Don’t let the bad ones bring you down. Know that you’re appreciated—and not just by Carrie or me, but by the entire team.”
Leading with Integrity
For Nickie, leadership comes down to one guiding principle: “Live your life in a way that when someone says something bad about you, no one believes it.”
She shares that message with her team often—especially when they’re dealing with customer complaints or seeing negativity online. “You can’t always explain your side,” she says. “But you can stay consistent, do the right thing, and let your actions speak for themselves.”
