Executive Spotlight: Highlights of 2021 - Gary Nash, Director of Purchasing, Zaxby's

SCS: What skills have helped you the most in your career to get you to where you are now, and what advice do you have for younger professionals who want to follow in your footsteps?

GN:  For people who want to get into this industry, it takes a lot of hard work and you have to build those relationships. Sometimes you have to work harder and longer than anybody else will to establish that. If you're able to apply yourself and you want to make a difference and “protect margins” and be a part of this chaotic industry, that strong work ethic is key. I have a phrase on my wall in my home office that I look at often, "The struggle you're in today is building strength for tomorrow."  So when things are hard, I repeat to myself…Struggle Today, Strength Tomorrow.

It's the soft skills, it's understanding and learning how to develop people, relationships and how to maintain them. It can be difficult to keep those relationships in a great place because not all conversations are fun conversations. So those soft skills, people skills, but also honesty and courage to tell the truth. When I say that, it means being able to say things that you really don't want to say, the tough stuff.  It's hard work and it's building a great work ethic. You got to love what you do. You've got to be willing to put in the work, but also make mistakes. 

7/1/2021 - Read the full interview here.