We recently connected with Jamie Hess and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

Opening in the middle of a Global Pandemic is surely the hardest move I’ve have to make in my two decades of being in the Hospitality Business. It wasn’t by choice but necessity as we were done construction of our Beach Food Restaurant and waiting for our permits to open (and paying rent at the time) when were delayed months by all the shutdowns. When we did eventually open in May of 2020 we failed miserably. Although people were crazy about our food there was not enough business to keep the lights on. In December of that year we made a major pivot to the business we are now. A Convenience Store steps from the ocean in Delray Beach. Selling Beer & Wine, Sodas, Waters, Snacks, Medicines, and more every single month we have grown! We are always offering new products and new reasons to come in to our store every week.

Jamie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my career in Tech and Transportation Sales. After taking a year off I moved to DC (my hometown) from Miami and a friend asked me to help work with him in his Nightclub. I was not interested at the time but told him I would help out for a few months until he could find someone else. I ended up working for him for over 3 years and that jump started my Career 2.0 in Hospitality. I ended up opening a Sports and Live Music Venue, then a Corner Dive Bar, and then a full on Restaurant and Bar that specialized in Southern Food and Cocktails. After selling that last Restaurant I had to move back down to my favorite the Sunshine State of Florida! Here is where I opened the business I currently Own and Operate. The one thing about my Business and Brand is that is is authentic. I’ve managed my entire career to provide products that are true to me. Be it sports, cocktails, aesthetic of my stores they are all things I am truly passionate about and I believe my clients understand and appreciate that.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

My current Side Hustle/Career 3.0 is my passion for Commercial Real Estate. I just recently passed the State Licensing Exam in Florida and am pursuing several deals at the moment. My interest in Real Estate is due to increase my income but as well I have bought and sold all of my businesses so having an up close view of the current Real Estate market will allow me to look for more locations for myself and my clients.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of my favorite Marketing Stories is my last Restaurant was famous for our Fried Chicken and we had a stuffed chicken in the window. Upon coming to work one day we saw it was stolen. As a laugh we posted on Social Media and throughout the neighborhood with “Wanted Signs” for our chicken. The story went viral and the major newspapers picked up the event. The very next day the chicken was returned and our business soared because of it! It was all tongue in cheek but the marketing was brilliant!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jamiesconveniencestore.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamiesconveniencestore/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamiesconveniencestore/