Fuel Matters

Fuel Matters Episode 6 - Jamie Sejpal (Platinum Retail)

Jamie Sejpal runs Top 50 independent Platinum Retail with his Dad Sej. Following Sej’s sale of MFG, he started Platinum Retail, where Jamie joined the business in 2016. The business has grown to 55 sites as it stands today and as the next generation, Jamie is looking to continue that growth into the future. 
Jamie talks about:
Growing up in the petrol station industry and earning his stripes on site
Whether Platinum Pizzas could ever be a thing
Driving 40 minutes to a station in Florida to get ice cream
How he believes the Platinum Retail business can take the next step

Fuel Matters Episode 5 - John Stevenson (Stevenson Forecourts)

John Stevenson is the owner of Stevenson Forecourts,  a family owned independent based in the North East of England with three sites. Today, John talks to us about how the business evolved from car dealerships with forecourts right through to amazing shops that also sell fuel and how the business has overcome the challenges involved.
We discuss:
Why it’s important to have values for your business.
Overcoming the challenges of taking on your next site.
The devil’s advocate argument for being an exister.

Fuel Matters Episode 4 - Slaton Whatley (Whatley Oil)

I speak to Slaton Whatley from Whatley Oil in Georgia, USA. Slaton is the third generation in a 70 year old business and runs 12 retail stores, which he owns and operates under their own brand Zelmo's.
Slaton’s operates in a competitive part of the US where margins can get razor thin, meaning doing things a little differently is a basic requirement.
Slaton talks about being thrown in at the deep end, the importance of promoting from within, and the unbranded craze that is taking over American forecourts. And of course, I end up mentioning Buc-cee's.

Fuel Matters Episode 3 - Joe Hockenhull (Hockenhull Garages)

Today’s guest is Joe Hockenhull. Joe runs 8-site retailer Hockenhull Garages as part of a Father-Son duo with industry legend Peter Hockenhull. They are a Forecourt Trader Award winner for their amazing site The Stage and have one of the best non-fuel offerings around. Joe had a career as a professional boxer whilst working in the family business, giving him a unique perspective on running forecourts.
Joe talks about the pressures of being a young leader, how being a professional boxer relates to being a fuel retailer and why taking feedback onboard is so important.

Fuel Matters Episode 2 - Michael O'Loughlin

As Chief Revenue Officer at EdgePetrol, I've spent the last six years talking to independent fuel retailers and hearing their unique growth stories. In Fuel Matters, we delve into these stories to find the secret sauce that took them from novices to multi million pound business operators.
Today's guest is Michael O'Loughlin. He's best known in the fuel industry for growing the Apple Green UK business and for his time working with Independent Behemoth MFG.  His ability to work with people and a keen eye for retail offerings has made him a winner of multiple industry awards.
Michael talks to us about his journey rising through the ranks at Applegreen, how to create well-rounded team members, and how retailers can keep investing into their sites to stay relevant in the future.

Fuel Matters Episode 1 - Hemant Tandon (Park Garage Group)

As Chief Revenue Officer at EdgePetrol, I've spent the last six years talking to independent fuel retailers and hearing their unique growth stories. In Fuel Matters, we delve into these stories to find the secret sauce that took them from novices to multi million pound business operators.
Today's guest is Hemant Tandon.  Hemant currently works as Operations Director at his family business Park Garage Group. They own over 70 petrol stations and are one of the most renowned independent retailers in the UK.  Hemant is the epitome of the next generation in the retail fuel market, bringing new ideas and unique ways of working to Park Garage Group. 
Hemant talks to us about how to build a winning culture when operating a fuel business, and touches on some tough times whilst looking to what the future may hold for petrol stations.