Mother-daughter duo Lashawn Flowers and Shanita Vickers are the newest owners of the only Black-owned gas station in Hollywood, Florida (just down the road from Miami).
The two entrepreneurs had to get creative after the COVID-19 pandemic closed down their local bar and nightclub called Groove City Bar & Lounge. That’s what inspired the idea of purchasing a gas station.
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“We actually purchased two Shell gas stations,” says Lashawn. “We were able to negotiate a two-for-one deal.”
Lashawn said the process of purchasing two franchises took just three weeks. After completing a credit application, she had to prove that she had the capital to complete the purchase.
“I really value having a family-owned business because family is who you can trust,” she says. “My daughter, Shanita, is a wonderful mom of two beautiful children and also a phenomenal entrepreneur who is awesome to work with. We work well together because we understand each other.”
Their Shell gas station can be found at 2501 North University Drive in Hollywood, FL. They are already planning to open their second gas station in early 2021, possibly in West Palm Beach.