Ari Weinzweig is the Co-Owner and Founding Partner at Zingerman’s, a community of eight food-related businesses all located in the Ann Arbor, MI area. He has received several recognitions and awards and was named one of “The World’s 10 Top CEOs (They Lead in a Totally Unique Way)” by Inc. Magazine. Weinzweig is also an author of books and columns published in a variety of magazines, including The Atlantic, Inc, Fine Cooking, Specialty Foods, Gourmet Retailer, and Food & Wine.
Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?
Chicago. that’s a long conversation 🙂 . . . probably everything that happened influenced my life!!
What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?
Everything I know now. but… it’s moot because I didn’t.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
“Do what you love and the money will follow.” probably more accurate to say “do what you love, well, and the sales will follow.”
also . . . our whole approach to leadership and business is totally different than most places. interview about the most recent full book I did is attached.
Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?
We’re in one now 🙂 I’ll let you know in a year!
New pamphlet coming out in a few weeks about it.
Going back further all of Part 3 of the Guide to Good Leading series is about this.
What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?
Learning not to look for the “one thing” 🙂 seriously! It’s part of learning not to think hierarchically.
What is your morning routine?
In the pandemic, I’ve been getting up a bit later in order to get more sleep to help my immune system. Now I get up about 7 or so. normally 6.
Routine is always … shower. journal. Start … working!
What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?
I journal every day and it changed my life.
What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?
I wrote an essay on time management.
For more info .. . here’s the archive of the enews – should I sign you up?
All the books are zingtrain.com and zingermanspress.com
What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?
Emma Goldman’s Anarchism and other essays – a very good statement of her approaches to anarchism and life – got me connected to forty years ago when I first read and it again when I read it ten years ago
Brenda Ueland’s If You Want to Write – completely changed my whole view of and approach to writing, and really to life
Peter Block’s, The Empowered Manager – great and very different insights into how to lead non hierarchically – also his book stewardship
Robert Henri’s The Art Spirit – like Brenda Ueland – great lessons on art and life
There are also long readings lists in the back of all the books!
Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?
A million – every book I write is loaded with them.
Here are my last two weeks of enews – feel free to note any quote in there!
