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About Ari

Welcome

Learn more about Ari's story and his writing.

The Power of Beliefs in Business

From Ari

Why I Write

To say that writing has changed my life would be a significant understatement. Over the years, it has helped me convert frustration into philosophy, problems into best practices, boredom into beauty, and complaining into creativity. Beliefs, dignity, democracy, hope, humility, and a host of other topics have entered my intellectual inventory only because I spent so much time writing about them. All these years later, they’ve had a huge impact on my work and my life. 

It is clear to me that I will keep writing as long as I’m on the planet. The more I write, the more I will learn, and the more deeply I will understand both myself and the world around me. I gain clarity so that I can put forward my point of view coherently and create resources that others can benefit from. 

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Bio

Ari Weinzweig, Co-founding Partner, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses

Ari Weinzweig, co-founding partner of Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a line cook turned CEO. Since opening in 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen has become an iconic food establishment, and the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses has blossomed into a dozen businesses with an annual revenue exceeding $80 million. While distinct, these businesses are all driven by the same mission and guiding principles, sharing the Zingerman’s Experience with passion and commitment.

Ari has become a renowned thought leader who expresses his learnings about positive business through extensive writing and keynote speaking, as well as teaching leaders and companies through ZingTrain. He travels nationwide to share Zingerman’s unique approach and has authored 10 books and numerous pamphlets, including his four-part Guide to Guide Good Leading: A Lapsed Anarchist’s Approach series, which encompasses the principles, beliefs, and pillars of the Zingerman’s organization.

Ari has delivered speeches for the Welcome Conference, Inc. 500, Microsoft Expo Spring Conference, Great Game of Business Gathering of Games, Positive Business Conference at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, American Society for Quality, and American Cheese Society, among many others. 

Ari’s Top 5, his weekly e-newsletter on leadership, artisan food, and anarchism, is published every Wednesday.

Ari Weinzweig

Testimonials

What readers are saying

You continue to amaze me with your positivity, creativity, endless energy, enthusiasm, and thoughtful rhetoric.

Janet Torno

President, Torno & Associates

Ari, I don’t know how you find the time and energy to keep producing these gems, week in and week out, but I sure do appreciate it. And I know I’m not the only one.

Loren Feldman

Founder, 21 Hats

The most thoughtful missive I've seen in a long time.

Michelle Gladieux

President, Gladieux Consulting

Press Highlights

In the news

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Inc.

13 Founders Whose Businesses Changed America

Jul 3, 2026

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Ari Weinzweig

Cheese Market News

Ari Weinzweig shapes American artisan cheese culture through Zingerman’s Delicatessen

May 5, 2026

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Paul and Ari Early Photo in the Breadbox

The Politic

Politics in the Arts: Interview with Ari Weinzweig

Jan 28, 2026

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