Field notes

Writing from behind the counter

Tactics, founder POV, and industry analysis for independents who run their own stores.

Operator tactics

Five numbers that tell you if your store had a good week

Most operators know their monthly P&L. Fewer know their weekly pulse. Here are the five numbers to pull every Monday morning.

Founder POV

The big chains have an unfair advantage, and it isn't scale. It's software. Here's why we're building Incline.

2026-04-14 · 6 min read

Industry analysis

Independent c-stores aren't losing to the chains the way most people think. The real pressure is quieter, slower, and much harder to fight.

2026-04-12 · 7 min read