Interview with Amrita Nat-Booter, deaf franchise owner
Callie Frye, Daily Moth Reporter: Hello! Can you introduce yourself?
Amrita Nat-Booter, Franchise Owner: My name is Amrita.
Callie: So we’re in a store. What is this store?
Amrita: It is a 7-Eleven.
(B-roll video of the interior of a 7-Eleven store)
Callie: Do you own this store?
Amrita: Yes.
Callie: How many 7-Elevens?
Amrita: I have three now. Two years ago, I had four, but I lost one due to the pandemic.
Callie: Where are you from? What is your background?
Amrita: I grew up in Los Angeles. My family came here from India. I am a first-generation American, born here.
Callie: I’m curious about what it is like to own this kind of store. How did you reach this point?
Amrita: I am a second-generation 7-Eleven franchise owner. My father has been doing it since I was seven years old. I went to the store many times with my father during my breaks. And it just became a habit.
Callie: Can you describe the process of taking over the franchise? How did you buy it?
Amrita: Well, because of my experience with 7-Eleven “all of my life,” learning things from my father, my father took me under his wing. Keep in mind that back then, things were different. There was very little technology. But now technology is a lot better and makes things easier.
Callie: I’m curious which items give you the most profits, from looking at your three stores?
Amrita: The number one thing is what is in the coolers behind us.
Callie: That makes sense. I tend to stop by a 7-Eleven when I’m driving so I can buy a drink. Makes sense. So how do you communicate with your employees? With others who deliver supplies to restock the shelves, such as water or candy? How?
Amrita: Most of the orders are done through technology. Computers, screens. Most of those who deliver don’t have English as their first language. So we use gestures and have a good rapport. Easier. If we need to, we’ll use pen and paper, but they don’t know English. I tend to show them what I want. Point things out. They usually get it and we go from there.
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(Amrita standing in front of a “Quick Eats” area in the store)
Amrita: If I forgot to bring my lunch, I tend to eat from here. Sandwiches, salads, and fruit. There are bananas over there too. Cheese here. I like yogurt as well. It’s healthy. Know that 7-Eleven doesn’t only have junk food. We have healthy food as well. Remember that I grew up in a store and I’ve eaten everything in the store and I’m sick of junk food.
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Callie: What does your daily routine look like as a franchise owner?
Amrita: Well, right now it’s different. In June it’ll be my 20th year anniversary.
Callie: Wow!
Amrita: Of being a franchisee. When I first started out, I worked 12 hours daily. I was my own manager as there were no managers at the time. So my husband and I worked 12 hours and dealt with a lot. Now, it’s different. My oldest son is helping out. He’s 18. Now my day-to-day is to cover my managers if they are off or need to take time off. I would then take over. Do cash reports. Ordering. Making sure all is okay. And help out with the 7NOW app. People can order what they need and come here to pick it up. DoorDash, Uber, and others as well. That applies to this store only, not all 7-Elevens have this.
Callie: Really cool.
Amrita: It varies. Sometimes I work during the weekends if my employees are sick or need help. Things are a lot better now compared with when I first started. You just have to invest fully for the first two years in your business. Put in the hours, the work, and the sweat. It’s worth it!
Callie: Yeah. Do you have any tips or advice for anyone who wants to own a 7-Eleven store?
Amrita: Yes. You have to start at the bottom. Work on the front lines. Then you will gain experience and advance. Don’t be afraid of a minimum-wage job. This is where you will grow and learn the details of a business.
Callie: Cool. What are the challenges you experienced as a franchise owner?
Amrita: When I first tried to get my own 7-Eleven — that’s why I moved to San Diego because it’s so competitive in Los Angeles with people wanting to buy a franchise, while in San Diego, it’s not as prominent — the communication with the corporation was a struggle. They usually have strong English skills and I tried to explain what I needed as a deaf person. I was denied three times. My father offered me the opportunity to be a manager for his store. So I took over and showed them what I was capable of. They saw that I increased revenue by 25% at my father’s store. I showed what I could do. They couldn’t say no to me. So from there, I’ve been going on and it will be 20 years soon. Anyone can do it.
Callie: Congratulations! I’m really proud of your achievement.
Amrita: Thank you so much.
Callie: Thank you for sharing your experiences as a franchise owner of this store and other two 7-Elevens!
Amrita: Thank you for coming!
Callie: No problem, I appreciate it!