Q: What can you tell us about Diaz Market?
Diaz Market is a family-friendly and neighborhood-oriented chain of convenience stores with gas. With our motto, “Quality. Care. Satisfaction.”, in mind, our locations offer a variety of snacks, beverages, and everyday pantry staples in addition to Shell or Exxon branded fuel.
Q: When did you launch?
My parents started the business in 1996. I was lucky enough to join my parents in 2003.
Q: How were you inspired to start your business?
While my parents are the ones to credit with making the leap in the gas station business, it was my hope to renovate our sites into an attractive and family friendly environment that have. We saw an opportunity to stand out from the rest of the local industry by updating our sites and making them more attractive and more reflective of the communities we serve.
Q: What were your biggest obstacles and how were they overcome?
The biggest obstacle for us as a new business was financing and establishing a relationship with a bank. Now that we are an established business it is determining what growth rate is the right growth rate or what investment will have the most impact on the business.
Q: What local resources have you used?
Diaz Market is a local company and we live/work in the neighborhoods we serve. For that reason, we use many local resources in our business. We have a tight knit community of local vendors and local contractors in which we have built lasting relationships over the years.
Q: What is your big focus right now?
Our biggest focus right now is the launch of our newest location on Highway 21 (S. Tyler St.) in Covington. We are looking forward to satisfying our customers with our usual fare but stepping it up a bit by taking advantage of advances in efficiencies and technology.
Q: What is the best advice you ever received?
The best advice I have received was “Make a Wish List.” Starting a new business venture or opening a new location can be overwhelming at times. However, by making a wish list allows to plan for the long road. There may be many items that you would like to accomplish at one time, but many times prioritization and time are what is needed to accomplish the wish list.
Q: What success have you had in the last year?
The biggest success we have had in the past year is the acquisition of our own wholesale fuel distributorship. Our sister company, Diaz Energy, is proud to offer the Shell brand to new customers and locations. Our vision is to offer our knowledge of all things gas stations to other hardworking individuals that have made this industry a part of their lives.
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