An Entrepreneurial Spirit

Growing up on the Fort Lee Military base outside of Petersburg, Ann Marie Fulcher never imagined herself as successful entrepreneur.

But when 7-Eleven began the process of franchising the Richmond area stores in the summer of 2007, Fulcher jumped at the opportunity to own and manage her own business. Before becoming a franchise owner, Fulcher had worked at 7-Eleven in Chester, Va. Today, Fulcher, 44, is one of four female franchisees in the Richmond area.

“My experience at the Chester store gave me the confidence to go for it. I knew it would be hard work, but I felt there were a lot of advantages of owning my own business,” Fulcher said.

Since then, Fulcher’s business venture has exceeded her expectations and she would encourage other women with an entrepreneurial streak to consider the franchising option. “To be successful, I found it helpful to have some prior retail experience and a well thought-out business plan. The support a franchise owner receives from 7-Eleven is amazing and even in these challenging economic times, my business continues to grow.”

7-Eleven® stores began 80 years ago when a Dallas ice dock operator decided to add milk, eggs and bread in response to his customers’ needs. The company’s first expansion outside Texas was into Florida . Since then, the company’s well-known brand and convenience retail model has spread around the world with some 33,300 stores in 17 countries and one U.S. territory.

Fulcher’s 7-Eleven is located at 122 S. Belvedere Street in Richmond. With the store’s proximity to the VCU campus, Fulcher says, “The store is always busy with students coming and going. I love my store’s location and the interaction with people from all walks of life.” Fulcher estimates a normal work week for her is 40 to 50 hours and says the biggest challenge in franchising is staffing - hiring, training and keeping good employees. “If you have a good team, this job is easy.” When asked how her life had changed since becoming a franchisee, she said, “It’s become less stressful, and I have an improved quality of life.”

Fulcher is excited to try some niche marketing, introduce some local products, and she continues to tailor her product ordering to fit the customer’s needs, requests and buying patterns. Does she have any advice to potential women entrepreneurs? “Choose your business wisely and be ready to train your employees well. If you do that, you’ll be successful.”

Favorite 7-Eleven item?  “A Slurpee, of course.”

7-Eleven holds seminars on an ongoing basis to provide information and to individuals interested in franchising opportunities. For more information contact Larry Draper at 353-7875, ext.13