Savannah’s Greg Parker Reveals Game-Changing Lessons: ‘I’ve Gained Wisdom Through Experience’

In a recent interview, Greg Parker shared his views on writing a biography, calling it “a bit self-serving.” His journey as the CEO and Founder of Parker’s Kitchen spans 50 years and wasn’t plotted from the start. In 2011, he admitted to the Savannah Morning News that his plans for law school didn’t work out, nudging him to take a different path.

“I’ve gotten smarter over the years,” he reflected. His growth has come from many experiences, helping him lead a successful business with nearly 100 locations across Georgia and South Carolina.

Some of his valuable stories include encounters with inspiring teachers, launching “Fancy” Parker’s Market in 1999 despite skepticism, and advocating for customer savings through his Parker’s Rewards program.

Parker’s wealth of experience has led him to share key insights that can benefit both entrepreneurs and anyone looking to improve their lives.

Build a Board of Advisors

One piece of advice Parker emphasizes is the importance of surrounding oneself with knowledgeable people. He encourages everyone, including children, to recognize those who can positively influence their growth and learning. He has worked for 15 years with Allison Hersch from Capricorn Communications, whom he views as an external advisor who has been particularly impactful.

His collaborative spirit may have been shaped by his high school debate experience, where he often absorbed others’ viewpoints before speaking last as the second negative in debates.

Invest in Your Team

Creating opportunities for employees is essential to Parker. He believes investing in their education and promoting from within not only helps the business but also builds a stronger team. For instance, he hired Brandon Hofmann at 19, who has now become Parker’s successor as CEO. Many of Parker’s employees have climbed the ranks over the years, some starting when he opened his first store.

Become the Best at What You Do

Parker stresses the importance of expertise in one’s field. He has held significant roles, like the vice-chair of research for the National Association of Convenience Stores. This position broadened his understanding of the industry, revealing key insights, such as how major credit card companies significantly benefited from convenience store transactions.

Rather than complain about it, Parker used this knowledge to create the Parker’s PumpPal debit rewards program, which became popular across other convenience store chains.

Persevere

Advisors have guided Parker, but he has also taken risks. For example, when he started the PumpPal program, he faced challenges from the Georgia Agriculture Commission. He fought back legally and won, ultimately gaining over 300,000 members. Similarly, when he bought a run-down building for “Fancy” Parker’s Market, he faced doubt, but his persistence led to its success as a popular location.

Give Back

Giving back is another cornerstone of Parker’s philosophy. He recently donated $100,000 to the Savannah-Chatham County Public School system through his Fueling the Community Campaign. His Parker’s Community Fund supports local initiatives, including food banks and programs for veterans.

Parker’s goal with these efforts is to build stronger communities by addressing challenges like hunger and homelessness and empowering individuals through education. He humbly stated, “I’m really not exceptional. What I had was a lot of perseverance…and I’ve been very lucky to surround myself with incredible people.”

Joseph Schwartzburt is the education and workforce development reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at JSchwartzburt@gannett.com and @jschwartstory84 on X.com.

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