Women Leading the Way in Produce

Liz Zolcak

President
Fresh Thyme Market
70-store chain based in Downers Grove, IL

Q. Tell us about your start in retail. What led you down this career path?

A. I started my journey in the grocery industry nearly 20 years ago with roles at Kroger and Aldi U.S. Those early experiences gave me a deep appreciation for grocery stores’ critical role in our communities and sparked my passion for retail.

Q. How did you decide you wanted to work in retail? What did you like about the industry?

A. Knowing that we can develop our teams into the next generation of industry leaders gets me out of bed every morning, while paving the way for more intentional and impactful choices rooted in natural, healthy lifestyles. I love collaborating with our teams to curate the freshest and most exciting items for shoppers to discover and incorporate into their daily lives — it’s incredibly rewarding.

What’s even more special is that I’m constantly learning. Whether it’s from my team, industry colleagues, or shoppers, their evolving needs and insights push me to think differently every day. No two days in retail are ever the same, which keeps it exciting. Knowing how vital the grocery sector is in people’s daily lives and seeing our impact on our communities makes this work deeply fulfilling.

Q. Who were early mentors or opportunities instrumental in your successful career in retail?

A. I have been fortunate to work with many strong leaders in my career thus far. I have learned the most from leaders who could engage their teams meaningfully to empower great results. My past mentors have allowed me to grow and learn as a leader, but I am also grateful I asserted myself for these opportunities. Especially as a female in the grocery business, it is important to lean into this courage constantly. I was offered many opportunities because I was “hungry,” and always looking to do and learn more.

Q. How did you climb the ladder? What skills, knowledge, and experience have been most instrumental?

A. I have always had a strong drive to achieve, which served me well as I started my career in the field.

However, this work also taught me the value of knowing your audience. By listening and understanding their perspective (and, in some cases, literally working in their shoes), we can best solve the problems often right before us. Not only has this proven to be a very effective way to problem solve, but it builds loyalty and mutual respect amongst your team. This loyalty and respect then have the opportunity to evolve the voice of the business, an authentic way to allow impact at all levels.

In addition, I would encourage any leader to be constantly curious. In an ever-evolving industry, you must continually challenge yourself and your team to stay ahead of trends. You are either green and growing or ripe and rotting!

Q. Could you share what you consider your most significant accomplishments in the industry? What would you still like to accomplish?

A. I’m incredibly proud of the milestones we’ve achieved at Fresh Thyme, particularly our brand identity refresh. We spent time listening to our customers, employees, and suppliers, which helped us align our values and set the stage for where we want to go as a brand and community leader. We continue to make all decisions based on these values, which has proven very successful in connecting with Fresh Thyme’s customers.

Q. What advice would you offer women about a career in retail?

A. Stay curious and embrace every opportunity to learn and grow. Build strong relationships, seek mentors who can guide you, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Believe in yourself and your abilities. The grocery industry offers immense opportunities, and you can achieve incredible things with passion and perseverance.