Success In Love And Business: A Couple's Franchise Success Story

(Monday, November 24, 2008) - Just like romance, there is no bottled formula or fool-proof approach for business success. But for young sweethearts Vinzent and Maryshella Querol, finally realizing their own family enterprise started with the right choice of partner, 7-Eleven, which they believe was one of the steps that ensured their dream venture will thrive and flourish.

Guided by their strong entrepreneurial drive and common passion for retailing as they both came from a family of local traders, they began this promise by partnering with 7-Eleven, the world's highly recognized convenience store chain through its local licensee, Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC).

"The idea to make a wise investment came when we learned about 7-Eleven's franchise business through friends. Deciding to finally become part of the franchise system wasn"™t hard for us since my wife and I knew that 7-Eleven is a global, multinational brand with modern systems and outstanding business track record,"� said Vinzent, a De La Salle University Economics major whose retail experience was honed after running their family's rice and mini mart businesses in Bulacan.

The husband and wife tandem also made sure that they had what it takes to make their chosen dream investment a successful family business. Upon application, the couple, together with Vinzent's two siblings, underwent PSC's one-month in-store and classroom orientation which they need to pass to become an accredited and certified store manager before being awarded a store franchise.

"In 2004, we opened our first outlet in Fields Avenue Brgy. Balibago, Angeles City, in the neighborhood where I grew up. It is also the first franchise store outside of company-owned stores in the vicinity,"� narrates Vinzent.

Located strategically near a heavily populated market cum residential area, the couple's 7-Eleven convenience store has since been the beacon of most people, comprised by students, professionals, neighborhood folks, and road travelers. The couple is up as early as 4 a.m. to facilitate deliveries and check stocks, the couple's hands-on duties centered on meeting their set targets, starting with monitoring the store's operations, from the hiring of staff, mingling with customers, to overseeing day-to-day cash flow.

But as with all businesses, every step of the way was a calculated risk, thus facing a continuous cycle of unpredictable adversities is always imminent. And Vinzent and Maryshella's first 7-Eleven outlet is no exception. "Our first months in operations were definitely not a honeymoon period,"� relates 32-year-old Vinzent. "Since we were among the first franchise store owners, coping up with the system while at the same time adjusting to our new responsibilities is really a difficult learning experience for us and for PSC,"� he added.

Currently, the Querols are regarded as not just pioneers in the 7-Eleven franchise system but more importantly, inspirational leaders for those who dare to dream of making it big in the convenience service industry. Apart from owning five 7-Eleven outlets located in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Quezon City and employing around 50 staff, the couple are also recipients of various citations of excellence, including being a finalist in the 2006 Franchisee of the Year Awards and recently, bagging last year's Franchisee of the Year Award, besting thousands of other prominent franchisee nominees.

"We find fulfillment everyday knowing that we have satisfied our customers with each transaction. It is a rewarding reality for us to experience the joy of giving convenience to others, either through our products, services, or providing jobs,"� shares Maryshella.

Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? "Choose a franchise business that offers mutual growth. It is also important to fellow franchisees for feedbacks because they provide reliable information on your desired business. And since 7-Eleven, through PSC, has a very tedious application process, you get very well-informed of your choices,"� they said, adding "And more significantly, stay focused through the Lord's will."�

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