Whether customers come to Wakepoint LBJ by car or boat, this convenience store is a destination for enjoying live music, festivals or Sunday gospel services.

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Ideas 2 Go: Wakepoint LBJ

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Scott Westlund, Owner, Wakepoint LBJ

Scott is the owner of Wakepoint LBJ, a sprawling business operation on Lake LBJ that includes two convenience stores, foodservice and fueling—among other offers. He also is a managing partner and accredited personal injury attorney at Ketterman Rowland & Westlund, known as KRW Lawyers throughout Texas.

Jody Bowers, CFO, Wakepoint LBJ

In addition to serving as chief financial officer of Wakepoint LBJ, Jody also is president of Axiom Business Advisors LLC, which helps clients develop and manage their business or real estate project.

Each year the annual State of the Union address sets the stage for the next Congress. From electric vehicles to "junk" taxes, President Biden laid out his agenda. How will it affect convenience stores?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS

Doug joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he worked with the NACS government relations team to define effective policy-based solutions on issues ranging from fuels to financial services. He has established and administered coalitions of companies and trade associations that share common legislative and regulatory objectives, including the Merchants Payments Coalition and its work to reform credit and debit card swipe fees.

Store managers have a significant impact on hiring and retaining great people. Hear how one retailer is coaching her team so they can be at their best.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Annie Gauthier, CFO/Co-CEO of St. Romain Oil Company

Annie is CFO/Co-CEO of St. Romain Oil Company (dba Y-Not Stop), based in Mansura, Louisiana. A third-generation co-owner, she works with her two brothers and 300-plus team members to refuel and refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.

As we kick off 2023, we're looking at emerging retail and consumer trends and ideas that convenience stores can take advantage of.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal, 210 Analytics LLC

Anne-Marie is principal and founder of 210 Analytics, where she specializes in quantitative and qualitative market research. She previously held research positions with the Food Marketing Institute, Green Charge Network and the American Society of Travel Agents.

Human trafficking happens every day and affects every community in the United States. More than 30,000 convenience stores have taken on this issue in their stores. Here's how you can join them and make a difference in your community.

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Convenience Stores Against Trafficking

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director, IN OUR BACKYARD

Cheryl has been a leader in the fight against human trafficking since 2011. She is the executive director of IN OUR BACKYARD, a national anti-trafficking nonprofit that links arms across America in the fight against human trafficking. The group's initiative, Convenience Stores Against Trafficking, has expanded to 30,000 convenience stores and partnerships with 17 state-based convenience store associations and 184 convenience store companies.

Roughly one third of all ATMs in the United States are in convenience stores. Although ATMs offer easy access to cash and financial transactions, they can be an easy target for criminals. We're discussing how you can grow and protect your business.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

David Tente, Executive Director, USA, Canada & Americas, ATMIA (the ATM Industry Association)

David serves as the ATM industry's evangelist. He has spent the past three decades in the industry and now leads the ATMIA's largest region, overseeing all aspects related to membership, content creation and advocacy. David also serves as president of the ATM Security Association, where his responsibilities include engaging with law enforcement and coordinating the maintenance and population of its global crime database: the Crisis & Crime Management Intelligence System (CCMIS).

2022 saw gas prices top $5 and dip to under $3, driven by some factors that are still affecting the market. This year's transportation trends are lining up to affect the car you drive, how you use it and how you refuel (or recharge) it.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

Aaron McHugh sought balance, but instead felt defeated, more stressed and more burdened. Hear how he found a way for adventure, work, life, play, relationships, rest and finances to co-exist.

Related Link:

Aaron McHugh

Hosted by:

Chrissy Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Aaron McHugh, Executive Coach & Senior Affiliate Advisor to McKinsey/Aberkyn

Aaron is an executive coach, writer, podcaster, adventurer and author of the best-selling book, "Fire Your Boss: Discover Work You Love Without Quitting Your Job." He works globally as a senior affiliate advisor to McKinsey & Co. He is mastering the art of living sustainable rhythms of work life and play.

7-Eleven's Evolution stores are a testing ground that allows customers to experience the retailer's newest innovations and products—and they are redefining the concept of convenience.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Molly Long, Vice President of Store Evolution & Design, 7-Eleven Inc.

Molly is responsible for all design-related activities associated with both the physical store as well as the customer experience inside of 7-Eleven, including new stores, remodels, platform innovation, and new store formats. She has a strong track record for leading transformational change inside the company. She founded the Store Evolution Team to transform the customer experience through laboratory stores, which are now influencing the designs and platforms for all new stores and remodel standards.

Although ESG reporting is voluntary, that is poised to shift. And it's not just for the publicly traded retailers—privately held retailers also could be affected by proposed ESG policies.

Hosted by:

John Eichberger and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Mike Roman, Senior Fellow, Public Policy/ESG, American Council for Capital Formation

Mike has more than 40 years of global energy industry experience. In addition to his current work at the American Council for Capital Formation, he is the founder of the consultancy CertainPoint Strategies LLC and serves as a member of the Fuels Institute Board of Advisors.