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Kim Green
Lesley Harany
Mary Kelly
Owner and CEO
Industry volunteer
President and CEO
Kay’s Wholesale Ltd.
Late bloomer. That’s how Kim Green describes herself and her entry into the convenience sector 10 years ago. For most of her career, Green was CEO of Tourism Charlottetown. However, when the offer to jumpstart a wholesale business that had closed came her way, she saw opportunity knocking and said “yes.” Since then Kay’s Wholesale, based in Charlottetown, has expanded five times, does $12 million in business, and employs 36 people. “It’s been quite a ride,” says Green. “I can’t believe I had the guts to do it. I can’t believe how far we’ve come.” One key to success is her dedication to customer service. “I’m here for my clients all the time,” says Green. “I’m in here every weekend meeting with a client who’s run out of something.” Green also believes in offering customers more than the usual merchandise. Kay’s, for example, partners with Prince Edward Island companies to provide local products—everything from potato chips to cough drops to chutneys. “That gives us an edge.”
CCentral.ca
Gateway Newstands
Retired JTI-Macdonald Corp.
Lesley Harany remembers her first day on the job with JTI-Macdonald. She was a receptionist in an age where there were no cell phones or iPads. That was the first of many jobs with the international tobacco product manufacturer. Her numerous roles included managing duty-free and trade relations. “I developed long-standing relationships with many customers,” Harany says. She also managed and hosted the Montreal Grand Prix for JTI for more than 20 years. “My biggest passion is connecting with people,” says Harany. She continues to do that today in a myriad of ways. The 2016 Large Supplier of the Year award winner volunteers and supports her community. She also continues to be an advocate for the work done by c-stores through her involvement with the Convenience Industry Council of Canada. “These are vital businesses. A lot of retailers have upped their offerings to meet the needs of customers.” Meeting customers’ needs is also second nature to Harany.
As president and CEO of Gateway Newstands, Mary Kelly oversees the operation of more than 275 stores throughout Canada and the United States. Before taking on this demanding role two years ago, she spent more than 30 years in retail, including running Target’s pharmacy and HBA business south of the border, then moving to Canada to lead the merchandising teams for Shoppers Drug Mart and later joining Rexall to oversee the chain’s front store and pharmacies. “I feel like I’ve been in the convenience business my whole life” says Kelly. She notes that every Gateway store is a franchise, and she is enjoying the relationships with Gateway franchisees. “Our stores are small, tightly merchandised, high-traffic. The owners are entrepreneurs.” While the sector has seen tremendous change over the last three decades, including the evolution from in-store to digital—the industry, and Gateway, have adapted, Kelly says. “We’ve been able to be profitable. We’ve learned to work smarter.”
JULY/AUGUST 2020
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