Editing a magazine couldn’t be more different from running a c-store, or so I thought when I started working at NACS. I knew I had a lot to learn, and soon realized how fortunate I was to be part of a sector that is highly relevant and familiar to just about everyone. Convenience is a reflection of our society, and each insight I gained about the industry turned out to be a life lesson as well. Here are some of the ones that stuck with me:

Saving customers a few minutes is the cornerstone of the convenience business model.

• You can lead with heart without losing your edge. The industry’s competitive spirit inspires each one of us to do our best, but success and altruism are not mutually exclusive. Each month, I’ve been inspired by the companies featured in the “Good Work” column that give back to their communities, serve as model corporate citizens and enjoy financial returns because people feel good about doing business with them.
• Building resilience is a constant process. Retailers who feel bulletproof today eventually will be hit by something that will knock them off their feet. Today’s solutions are far from “once and done.” As industry CEOs emphasized at the 2019 NACS Leadership Forum, retailers that learn to become comfortable with uncertainty will have the advantage over others (see “Adapting to the Future,”).
• It’s often hardest to see what’s directly in front of you. C-stores are ubiquitous. They are essential. But as our 2018 NACS Show keynote Mike Rowe pointed out, they also are invisible. The things we rely on each day can be overlooked, although we’d notice right away if they suddenly disappeared. It’s counterintuitive, but telling your story becomes even more important when your business is well-known.
• The most valuable commodity of all is time. Saving customers a few minutes is the cornerstone of the convenience business model. The clock is the great equalizer: No matter what successes you’ve achieved in life, you can’t get more hours in the day. Helping people spend more time where they need to be can be more important than price, or any product you sell. I can’t think of a business strategy that is more solid.

Knowledge brings change, and as it turns out, these lessons have led me to the next step in my professional journey. Beginning with the May issue, you will meet our new Editor-in-Chief, Kim Stewart, as I leave the magazine to dedicate more time to family issues. I always will be grateful for what I’ve learned from such a welcoming, dedicated and engaged community. Thank you for the education!