Small Giants: An Evening with Ari Weinzweig on Business, Leadership & Hospitality

When I first started the bakery, I knew how to bake bread. What I didn't know was how to build a business.

I didn't want to build just any business. I wanted to create something that reflected my values, my passions, and my philosophy of hospitality. A business that could be successful while remaining independent, deeply rooted in its community, and committed to something beyond the bottom line.

I went looking for examples of businesses I admired, and one of the brightest stars I found was Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Founded by Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw in 1982, Zingerman's has grown from a small neighborhood deli into a remarkable community of independent food businesses, celebrated as much for their food as for their approach to leadership, service, and organizational culture.

Ari's writing and philosophy have helped shape the way I think about business since our earliest days. He's been a mentor to me, and his work has been an enduring source of inspiration for Zak the Baker.

On Thursday, November 5th, I'm honored to welcome Ari to our bakery for an intimate conversation about building great businesses, leading with dignity, creating meaningful workplaces, and the role independent businesses can play in strengthening their communities.

We'll discuss some of the ideas from his latest writing, open the floor for questions, share some food, and have his books and pamphlets available for purchase.

Whether you're a business owner, a leader, or simply someone interested in how we can build more thoughtful and meaningful organizations, I hope you'll join us.

Thursday, November 5 | 6–8 PM
Zak the Baker | Wynwood
Tickets: $15

Looking forward to sharing this special evening with our community.