Success runs in the family. This illustrates the newfound fulfillment of Ma. Theresa Jimenez and Hazel Santos after investing in a dream franchise business that perfectly served as an alternative career, as well as a rewarding endeavor that feeds their passion for food, family and quick service.
Prior to becoming 7-Eleven franchisees, the siblings run a 21-year-old family business, Eat Graphics Advertising which caters to the advertising needs of fast-food chains. Ma. Theresa is the owner/president while Hazel acts as general manager and HR manager. Professionally, the former is a Computer Management major and the latter is a registered nurse. Currently, they have two 7-Eleven stores, the first store in Tikling, Taytay, Rizal and the second in C. Lawis in Antipolo City.
The idea of owning a C-store came while the two were having their snacks at their neighborhood 7-Eleven store. Both avid fans of Slurpee since childhood, Ma.Theresa says their common love for food and convenience inspired them to pursue their goal.
“We love to eat. It is our undying passion for food and convenience that helped us in the transition. We want our food served easy, fast and of course, tasty. And we just want the same for everybody,” Hazel says.
Both sisters were excited and impressed about the opportunity, as they knew they would follow through with their dream of becoming franchisees. “We chose 7-Eleven over other franchising businesses because we think highly of the 7-Eleven Franchise System. We admire what 7-Eleven has accomplished for the past years and we are confident in what it can still do in the coming years. It is also a major player in the retail [convenience stores] industry because it has made its service very convenient, accessible and affordable to its customers. It is the go-to place for all customer needs,” says Ma. Theresa.
What makes the 7-Eleven franchise package a worthy investment, according to her, is that it is backed by a powerful brand, a strong long-term support system from the franchisor and a profit sharing/distribution that is very promising for the franchisee.
The 7-Eleven franchise package includes a one-month classroom training. Upon completion, Ma. Theresa, Hazel and their teams were fully ready when they opened their stores recently.
The sisters also especially value the way their common C-store passion has brought their family together. “Not only do our customers benefit from the C-store. Both of us get to have more family time. We also get to meet each other often, sharing updates and consulting each other about our stores’ progress. We discuss and come up with a game plan that would address and even eradicate any issue and concern,” she says.
“My partnership with my family enhances my strengths and cancels my weaknesses not just as a leader in the business but also as a person. They are my constant supply of encouragement and wisdom especially in making crucial decisions. They see my blind spots; thus, we are able to identify problems and provide solutions to improve and grow the business. Their maturity helps me run the business more efficiently,” says Ma. Theresa.
Both sisters see the positive in the stores’ challenging but very promising growing phase. “In time, with continuous training and application of best practices, we believe we will be able to handle these challenges more effectively,” says Ma. Theresa.