Company Blog

Behind the Noise

by Adam Zack — July 10, 2024

In our stores, we hear and see the vocals and guitar. Those are the parts that stand out, like the beautiful displays, the cleanliness and the perfectly arranged foods, the exceptional service.

With all that’s been going on in the world these days, I’ve been thinking a lot about music. That won’t surprise those that know me. I always have to have some kind of noise on, especially when I am driving or cooking. I don’t like doing things in silence. Well, except reading. So with all these thoughts of music bouncing around in my head, I have been comparing what’s going on in our world and our business with the layers in a great song. All of you have a favorite song. One that has a special meaning or just makes you feel good. It may bring you back to a different time in your life that you were happiest, or it may just be a band you loved. When we hear our music we think of the singer’s voice, the lyrics, the intricate guitar work. So in my deep exploration of the world and my music, I have concluded that it’s what’s underneath that really drives the song. I concentrate on hearing the bass line and the drum beats. It’s hard to do without really trying. You have to concentrate. To me, that’s what drives the song. Without the backbeat, it’s a lot of guitar no...

by Adam Zack — July 3, 2024

It’s okay to have favorites.

At the end of the movie The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says goodbye to each of her traveling partners – the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion (talk about a nickname you’d like to shake!). She tells each how she is going to miss them as she heads back to Kansas. When she gets to the Scarecrow, she tells him she’s going to miss him most of all. Right there in front of the other two! I don’t think her world was the politically correct one where you couldn’t say what you felt because you might hurt someone’s feelings or make them feel left out. She didn’t have to call him aside and whisper “Don’t tell those other two, but YOU are my favorite and I am going to miss you most.” It’s OK to have favorites. My brothers know that I am mom’s favorite. After all, she has great taste and judgment. My daughters know I have a favorite. We have favorite flavors, movies, colors and employees. Our favorites make us happy and comfortable. They bring us joy, amusement and love. They work hard to have our backs in any situation. So during this busy summer holiday season, it’s OK to express your favoritism. Life is not a sport where everyone who plays gets a participation trophy. Some people suck, and s...

by Adam Zack — June 25, 2024

Summers become memories of “the good old days”.

I know I’m not the only one who has a major problem with the passage of time. I just looked at the calendar and realized that we are almost SEVEN months into 2024. That’s right. Summer’s here, fall’s around the corner, football season is just a couple months away, Holy guacamole! Former L.A. Times columnist Chris Erskine put the value of time in a unique perspective. He likened his life to how many summers he has left. The best time of the year (unless you live in Palm Springs. Or Phoenix) goes by so fast. BBQs, beach, no school, cold beers on warm days. Summer is just the best. And how many do you actually get? Maybe 80 or 90 total in your life. Only about 40 or 50 that you really can savor and enjoy. I figure I have maybe 15 – 20 great summers left. When I think of it that way it’s humbling and scary. Don’t have wasted days that you can never get back because of feuds or grudges. Make the most of all you have left, because before you know it the kids are off to college and summers spent together turn into a few days each summer together. Knees start to wear out, hips get broken and then boom, no more summers for you. Summers become memories of “the good old days”. Even though ...

by Adam Zack — June 19, 2024

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...

by Adam Zack — June 12, 2024

Weird is youthful energy…

Weird: of strange or extraordinary character : ODD, FANTASTICI love weird. Weird is unique, interesting, funny, quirky, different. I have two daughters that have pretty much called me weird from the time they could talk. I think it was in the top 10 first words. I’m sure that when I was feeding Holly as an infant, and gave the dog a taste of her baby food, then back to her, she was thinking “This is weird. Am I getting the dog’s food or is the dog getting my food?”Being a weirdo is a badge of pride to me. I don’t want to be the boring old dad that just acts like every other dad. I don’t want to be the brother, son or husband that is predictable, with no spikes on the radar. Weird is fun, and I search out unique products that will leave an impression on people. The chain stores won’t do it. It’s a great opportunity for independent retailers to do something that will get people talking, taking photos and sharing with their friends. Weird is youthful energy that I want to maintain. Good weird isn’t creepy or gross. It may get some rolls of the eyes and Oh brothers, but it’s original. I’m already planning my headstone. Here Lies Adam Zack. Weird to the end.

by Adam Zack — May 29, 2024

(service) keeps no score and it’s never a superior position to whom you are serving. It serves with humility..

It’s good to help, right? People need our help and it makes us feel good to help them. They say, “Thank you, how can I repay your kindness?” We of course defer and say, “No, no, it was my pleasure to help you.” But deep in the blackboard of our mind a mark is tallied, and they now owe us a debt because of our help. When I first heard this analogy, I had to step back and really think about it. I have always wanted to help. It feels really good. But does it make the helped feel good? Do they now feel the obligation of owing me one? Something really to ponder. In fact, think of help in terms of The Help. To be referred to as “The Help” immediately conjures up images of servitude: a maid, a butler, a driver – some kind of subservient role. No one wants to be referred to as The Help.I have long felt the need to be a fixer. Need advice? I’ll give a solution. Don’t need advice, but just want to talk? I’ll give a solution. Something is not working right? I’ll give a solution. I take great pride in being an answer man. The guy who can fix it all – material or not. But in my newfound understanding, fixing immediately imp...

by Adam Zack — May 22, 2024

I feel thankful every day for the blessed life that I get the privilege to live.

I have been thinking about gratitude and how we express it in today’s world. When I was a kid my mom would make sure that we wrote thank you notes for gifts we received for birthdays and Christmas. She’d provide the cards and stamps, and usually it was something simple like “Dear Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for the [insert gift name here]. I love it. Love, Adam” I didn’t think of it as a chore (well, maybe sometimes), but more like an essential part of the gift process. Today, handwritten, mailed thank you cards have mostly been replaced by text and emails, or at least a verbal thank you, and sometimes not at all. I really got thinking about the levels of gratitude in January, when my favorite people in the world all gathered together to spend a milestone birthday with me. Eleven people came together to celebrate, some of them coming from very far away. It meant so much to me, that I still get a little bleary eyed at such a humbling experience. I hadn’t written a thank you card in years, but I was so moved by their presence and kind words that I felt it was especially important to tell each of them just how much it meant to me, and to put it in writing. It was necessary for me...

by Adam Zack — May 15, 2024

“… show them that you still care after all these years.”

The people we see most often are the ones we take most for granted. The little things that happen every day – from that customer who buys a coffee and a muffin every single morning to your spouse who makes sure your work shirts are clean and looks you over to make sure you have no boogers showing before you head to the store. Proximity and familiarity are the easiest thing to take for granted because they’re, well, they’re just there everyday. Routine becomes part of the landscape and you don’t miss that routine until it’s not there anymore. Just like real listening takes effort and thought, your appreciation level needs a kick in the ass every now and then too. It’s the spouse who one day thinks “I’ve been making his coffee every single day for 20 years and he hasn’t even said thanks for at least five. In fact, when’s the last time he even made me a cup of tea?” And the next thing you know the routine is interrupted because the need for appreciation is not met and you’re left scratching your head saying, “What the hell got into her? What did I do?” It’s very similar with our closest customers – the ones who live across the street and arou...

by Adam Zack — May 7, 2024

“…enjoy what we work so hard for: Our family, our friends, our personal indulgences.”

“This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth.” – Arrogant Bastard Ale labelIs arrogance ever OK? Is it even ever acceptable? Or understandable? Or relatable? I have always despised arrogance. Remember back in school when the pretty cheerleaders and the football jocks were so “stuck up.” The good looking rich kids who thought their “s*#t didn’t stink.” I’ve met business owners who look away as they shake your hand. People along the way who just think they’re better than you and don’t give two craps about anyone that may be beneath their lofty standards. Then a couple weeks ago we were watching Sportscenter, and I can’t remember exactly who came on – maybe Christian Yelich or James Harden – showing highlights of their amazing ability in their sport. My wife and I got talking about it and how some players (and people in general) are just so smug and how arrogance really is so ugly to her. “Wipe that smug look off your face” is a phrase I am familiar with. As we went back and forth on the...

by Adam Zack — May 1, 2024

Non-verbal communication often says way more about you, or someone else, than what is actually said.

Many years ago I was introduced to the owner of a very prolific wine store. I had always heard that this guy was a full-on a-hole, but I was skeptical that it could be 100% true, as I had great respect for his store and his fantastic employees. As I was introduced I extended my hand to shake his and he barely grasped mine while at the same time looking away, effectively dismissing me as 100% unimportant and forgettable. Turns out he really was an a-hole, but it made an impression on me that I continue to remember to this day: Non-verbal communication often says way more about you, or someone else, than what is actually said.I was reminded of it again several years later when I had a meeting with DW and some new potential customers. “Did you notice that that guy never made eye contact?’ said DW. Eye contact demonstrates interest and sincerity. It shows that you are listening. It relates to honesty. It communicates in ways words can’t. There are many other non-verbal ways that communicate disinterest in a conversation – holding up your hand as if to say “Stop, you have bored me to the limit” or a nice, big yawn or even the circling of your ...

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