Company Blog

Who’s your Obsession?

by Adam Zack — July 23, 2025

“Obsess over your customer, never your competitor.” – Jeff Bezos

No one can dispute that Jeff Bezos and Amazon have changed the world of shopping. What was initially just an online bookstore, dismissed by many as something that wouldn’t even be around for a few years, has become the largest seller of, well, about everything. (And made Jeff Bezos the wealthiest man in the world). It’s changed everything from ordering office supplies to how and what we read. Although I have very fond memories of taking each new Stephen King hardback book to the beach to read, I can’t imagine not having my Kindle. Maybe that’s why my arms used to be so much stronger. So what? Everyone’s amazed what Amazon does – and will do. I think it’s their single obsession over their customers that has led them to be a trillion-dollar company. It’s the old school way for the founders of the modern grocery store business to obsess over our competitors. We pull out the ads from all the competition and curse when they beat us on chicken breast by 50 cents and beam when we feature strawberries that are 60 cents lower than them. But you know who’s not pulling out the ads and comparing them side by side? Pretty much everyone. They may glance at some of your competitor’...

by Adam Zack — July 16, 2025

“The best candidates aren’t always the ones with the longest résumés—they’re the ones who bring qualities that don’t show up on a list of prior jobs or certifications.”

Too often, employers—and job seekers—get hung up on experience and technical skills when evaluating candidates. Sure, experience matters. You wouldn’t hand the keys to an 18-wheeler to someone who’s only ridden a bike. The guy twisting balloon animals at the fair doesn’t suddenly qualify as an anesthesiologist because he knows how to work a helium tank. And just because Cousin Larry colors inside the lines doesn’t make him a graphic designer. <...

by Adam Zack — July 9, 2025

“…first wanted me to see a young plastic surgeon for a second opinion.”

So since last week’s blog I’ve been thinking a lot about the kindest thing that has ever been done for me. There’s been quite a few: My stepdad marrying a single woman with 3 young boys and taking on the responsibility of fathering them. My 8th grade teacher personally making sure that I was ready for the lessons that high school and life would bring. My mom really helping me out financially when the house we were buying was about to fall out of escrow because of a terrible lender.But the biggest kindness has, much like the one last week, has come from a doctor. Many years ago I was diagnosed with a cancer in my leg called Sarcoma. The first doctor I saw wanted to cut my leg off. I was having none of that and was referred by a friend to a great surgeon in Los Angeles. He removed it. I recovered. Five years later, it came back. He removed it again. Five years later it came back again. He removed it a third time, but this time we did a series of 36 radiation treatments. It didn’t come back.Fast forward to 2021, I got an infection in that leg. My lymphatic system, damaged by the radiation, didn’t work like it should. Biopsies wouldn’t heal. My leg was a ...

by Adam Zack — July 2, 2025

“…what has been the greatest kindness bestowed upon you in your life?”

I read a lot, and am always seeking out things that either for business or on a personal level will lead to some kind of improvement or inspiration. I get a monthly blog from a young financial advisor named Stephen Nelson. https://birchwoodcapital.com/team/ He has impeccable morals, is an inspirational family man and is an all around great human being. If I had a son, I’d be very proud if he turned out like Stephen. So I got his July newsletter yesterday and it concerned being excellent at what you do, no matter what it is. In it an interviewer asked very successful investor Rick Buhrman, ”What was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for him?” Without reading any further, it made me ponder what the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me? More on that later. Rick’s answer involved his son being born very ill (as in he probably won’t live long) and the collection of doctors, nurses and critical care professionals from three different hospitals that cared for him in the newborn intensive care units for the first six months of his life. Initially, it’s not viewed as a kindness. They were professionals in their field who were doing their job, right? The kindness come...

by Adam Zack — June 25, 2025

“CEOs, and head honchos are so important to your customers.”

Hello! I just returned from a 5 week sabbatical trip to Europe. It was amazing and refreshing and awe inspiring all at once. There was so much history we saw, food we ate, wine we drank, places we visited and things we learned. One of those should be the most memorable, I would think. Maybe the Vatican in Rome. Or the Duomo in Florence. How about the Rock of Gibraltar? Maybe the tapas in Spain. But the most memorable and influential things were not historical or gastronomical. They involved business management and leadership lessons that I will never forget.Let me set it up for you: Our trip included two Mediterranean cruises. The first was on the cruise line Azamara and left from Rome. Having never sailed on Azamara, we were very impressed with the exceptional service, quality of food and amazing ports we visited. Towards the end of the cruise we were invited to a special dinner with the Captain and officers of the ship, along with about 12 other passengers. We looked at each other and said “Is this a mistake? We aren’t special.” But it wasn’t a mistake. We were seated at the long, very fancy dining table that had name cards at the seat where you were to sit. We found our seats at the middle ...

by Adam Zack — June 18, 2025

“Authentic speaks of honesty, reliability, transparency and trustworthiness.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about authenticity lately. I don’t know why, but in personal encounters I find myself thinking about not only my authenticity, but more closely about the person I am conversing with. Am I getting the truth about who this person really is and what their values are, or am I getting some kind of glossed over People magazine version of them telling me what they think I want to hear. Authentic speaks of honesty, reliability, transparency and trustworthiness. Authentic people display their true values in their actions and words. It’s the real thing and is verified by what we do everyday. But there are some people that are authentic a-holes. Their true character is one of deceit, selfishness and dishonesty. Keeping authenticity at the top of your mind will automatically direct you to relationships that share your values. Our relationships with the businesses we deal with share a similar authentic relationship. Once a store promises to deliver something you want, then fails repeatedly to deliver, you start to see that their authenticity is not what was initially represented. It’s like People Magazine or Instagram and Facebook, where only what you see is not what...

by Adam Zack — June 11, 2025

“I know firsthand that when a business stands behind what they offer—with
pride, care, and consistency—it’s not just a grocery or hardware store.”

Hello from Scott, Adam’s friend since kindergarten. Growing up in my grandfather’s hardware store, I learned early that a family business is more than just a livelihood—it’s a legacy built on relationships, resilience, and trust. The scent of paint, the sounds of the nail bins and lawnmower repairs, and the steady rhythm of locals coming through the door for everything from paint to pipe fittings were the backdrop of my childhood. My grandfather knew his customers by name, remembered their projects, and always had time to lend advice that stretched far beyond hardware.Adam, on the other hand, grew up in the grocery business. His memories were of early mornings stacking produce, the smells of that amazing bakery, ringing up neighbors’ weekly orders, and making sure shelves were stocked just in time for the weekend rush. While the products were different—bread and milk instead of bolts and screws—the heartbeat of the business was strikingly similar: service, community, and the pride of providing something useful and needed.What ties both of our experiences together is that success in a ...

by Adam Zack — June 4, 2025

“U.S. stores cater more to convenience and speed…”

This is Scott. Adam and I met in kindergarten—he was organizing the school supplies in Mrs. Schaufler’s closet while I was eating the finger paint. What a great duo, and we’ve never stopped being friends.If you’ve ever traveled from the U.S. to Italy, one of the first everyday experiences that might surprise you is the difference in grocery shopping. Though the basic idea is the same—buy food and essentials—the experience varies in some key ways.Size and Atmosphere U.S. grocery stores tend to be much larger, often designed to be one-stop shops. In contrast, Italian stores are generally smaller and more focused. While American supermarkets have wide aisles and massive selections, Italian stores feel more compact and efficient, often located right in the heart of neighborhoods.Freshness and Frequency In Italy, shopping is more frequent. Italians often visit their local grocery store or market daily or several times a week, buying just what they need. This habit supports a culture of fresh eating—fruits, vegetables, meats, and bread are often bought the same day they’re consumed. In the U.S., it’s more ...

by Adam Zack — May 28, 2025

“It’s like nature’s way of reminding us to slow down, even in the middle of a
grocery run.” By Scott, guest blogist

Hello, this is Scott, Adams ghost writer for when he needs a break. Thought I’d pop in for a little observation for all you hard working store owners/managers/employees.There’s something unexpectedly soothing about the mist that gently sprays over the produce at the grocery store. It’s a small, everyday moment that most people probably don’t think much about, but if you stop and pay attention, it’s almost hypnotic.Picture it: you’re strolling through the produce section, maybe searching for the perfect bunch of lettuce or the ripest tomatoes. Then, without warning, a soft mist rises up, coating the leafy greens and vibrant vegetables in tiny beads of water. The sound is gentle—a hushed whoosh, like a distant rain shower.For a brief moment, the store feels quieter, cooler, and calmer.It’s a sensory experience that taps into something primal. Water is life, after all. The mist makes the produce look fresher, crisper, like it was just plucked from a garden. But beyond that, there’s something deeply relaxing about watching it happen. It’s like nature’s way of reminding us to slow down, even in the midd...

by Adam Zack — May 21, 2025

“If we can’t be bothered to walk a few extra steps to return a cart, what else are we cutting corners on when it comes to kindness and responsibility?”

Scott here, Adam’s oldest friend—not necessarily the best of his friends, but definitely the oldest!There’s a small but telling act of consideration that seems to be disappearing from our daily lives: returning the
shopping cart. It may not seem like a big deal, but it says a lot about where we are as a society.
We’ve all seen it—abandoned carts scattered across parking lots, wedged against curbs, or even worse, blocking
perfectly good parking spots. Some are left just a few feet away from the cart corral, as if those last few steps were
just too much to handle. While some folks may have legitimate reasons for leaving their carts behind—like physical
limitations or wrangling multiple kids—most of the time, it’s just a case of convenience winning over courtesy.
What happened to the simple principle of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”?
Returning a cart isn’t just about keeping the lot tidy; it’s about respect. Respect for the next shopper who now has
to maneuver around your abandoned cart. Respect for the employ...

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