Flavia Bautista Flaunts A Big Smile
Monticello meet Flavia Bautista, if you haven’t already. Flavia is the face with the big smile that often greets you at the Monticello BP register when you check out. Well, she is at least one of the faces at the front counter—her sister, Elizabeth also shares the duty.
Her family, in particular her father Jesus (pronounced hay-sus), purchased the local business in May 2018. It’s been a year since they took ownership of the business and began their very first entrepreneurship. Her father likes it here and so does Flavia.
“I have come to know so many people here. It’s really friendly here,” she said. “In the beginning, business was slow but after some time it was better. I think people were not really sure about coming here with new owners but that is changing.”
I think Flavia’s personality, along with the service, may have something to do with the pace of business. Talking to her is effortless because she likes to talk back and has a positive outlook on life in general. She proudly pointed to the Excellent Customer Service certificate hanging on the wall as if to verify her personable skills.
“I greet everyone who comes in the door with ‘hello’ and a smile. There are times when I get no response, not even a smile, but most times I do.”
Flavia has an interesting story about how her family came to be Monticello business owners. Their story has some twists and turns so keep up. It begins in Oaxaca, Mexico where her father was born, raised, and also ran a convenience store, an experience she said was very different from business here. In Mexico, convenience store owners have less regulations and can sell whatever they like whether it be clothes or produce in addition to fuel.
Flavia was born San Diego, making her a California girl. Her parents immigrated there before she was born. She is one of five siblings including three sisters and one brother, who all left the west coast for the east coast.
Flavia, along with her parents, reside in Jackson now but once upon a time her parents lived in Shady Dale and Monticello.
Flavia explained that about nine years ago her parents decided that leaving California might be a good idea with the cost of living increasing there. So her parents set out for the east coast for an exploration expedition where they landed in Shady Dale. After three months there, they moved to Monticello where they lived for less than a year and then decided to purchase a home in Jackson.
When asked about how the idea to purchase Monticello BP crossed her father’s path, Flavia said that her dad ”was a normal person that wanted to try something new.” Flavia’s description could suit most people anywhere.
Taking over the business was a good choice Flavia thinks but she doesn’t plan to work there forever. She has a degree in accounting and is currently enrolled in the nursing program at Southern Crescent’s Griffin campus. She has even loftier pursuits of serving in the United States Air Force, for which she has already tested, passed, and plans to enlists in the not so far future after accomplishing a few personal goals. Flavia would eventually like to return to California one day, she remembers an Air Force base not too far from her San Diego home.
However until then, she encourages people to stop by Monticello BP for an whatever service they may need for their vehicle. And if you need to wait while your vehicle is being serviced, Flavia can keep you smiling and entertained in the cool and tidy front office.
