Passionate about business, Rita Casanova had reached all the goals of being able to retire. She spent years as a buyer for large retail companies rising through the ranks and her children were grown. Now was the time she could sit back and enjoy her life, but that just wasn’t her. She had the itch to be in business for herself and put all her energy into a new venture. 7-Eleven was the ideal choice for her.

Franchisee Name: Rita Casanova
Franchise Name: 7-Eleven
Location: San Antonio, TX

Passionate about business, Rita Casanova had reached all the goals of being able to retire. She spent years as a buyer for large retail companies rising through the ranks and her children were grown. Now was the time she could sit back and enjoy her life, but that just wasn’t her. She had the itch to be in business for herself and put all her energy into a new venture.

Lower Investment and Risk. Rita's brother, a consultant for 7-Eleven, talked to her about opportunities with them for franchise ownership. She had the background in retail, the education with an MBA and knew that 7-Eleven had a well recommended support system. She didn’t want to approach a new start-up business because of the amount of capital needed and believed that buying a resale was the best choice.

Community. She also liked the choice of 7-Eleven because it is the kind of franchise that the community can support. Rita had served on many of the city’s boards and worked in many organizations as a volunteer. She knew that this type of franchise could serve the community well. Rita and her brother, Jake, went into the business together and say, “Having fun should be a part of success!” They both enjoy their roles, with Jake taking the day to day operations and Rita managing the “behind the scenes aspect.”

Training. Rita especially enjoyed the training and threw herself into it with zest. She says the training was fast paced and kept her interested. The company (7-Eleven) has a reputation for providing a high level of support.

Family Values. A newlywed, Rita has found that the role of franchise owner with 7-Eleven gives her time for her family and travel. Finding time for her grandchildren and also caring for her mother, she is able to juggle a work-life balance and be happy with life. She has been recognized by 7-Eleven consultant, Wendy Moseley, “Rita is a phenomenal woman, who has a great passion for wanting to do things the right way. Rita and her brother do very well together.”

The Right Choice. Adding up all the benefits of 7-Eleven ownership was the right decision for Rita Casanova. It contained all the elements of being part of a community and being able to establish loyalty with its customers. It also provided her the ability to balance work and family and it did not entail as large as of an investment as a new franchise would. Thus, giving Casanova, Latina by heritage, a chance to make a difference every day.

Visit The Learning Center for More Articles Like This