Katie Frank
MANAGING PARTNER, ZINGTRAIN
It was Katie’s love for food that eventually led her to Zingerman’s. As a young girl growing up in Dayton, Ohio, she baked large K-shaped cookies and many cakes. Years later, she went to Vanderbilt for a B.A. in Human and Organizational Development, playing basketball as the team’s captain, not just to burn away the K-shaped calories, but to also hone her leadership and teambuilding skills. Katie stayed on at Vanderbilt for a Masters in Human Resource Development.
After leaving Vanderbilt, Katie’s education, passion for team building, leadership skills and love of baking all came together at Bread and Company, Nashville’s premier bakery. She started at Bread and Company as a retail staffer, eventually working her way up to Director of Retail Operations, and ending her four year tenure there as a General Manager, bringing their fourth store on line.
In 2005, Katie came back to her Midwestern roots and joined Zingerman’s Bakehouse as a manager. She led a team of 12 people to create “The Zingerman’s Experience” at Zingerman’s Bakeshop, a tiny (800 sq. ft.) retail space in the industrial park where Zingerman’s Bakehouse bakes all of its artisanal breads and pastries. Undaunted by the challenge of the location and space limitations, Katie responded to the tough economy by growing the annual sales by 40% to $1.6 million during her six years there!
In 2011, Katie jumped at the chance to join the ZingTrain team. As a ZingTrain consultant and presenter, she shares her operational experience as a basis for her teaching on Customer Service, Open Book Management and Servant Leadership. In addition to her work with outside clients, Katie teaches several Zingerman’s staff classes including the Art of Giving Great Service, the Art of Giving Great Service Over the Phone and The Art of Successful Performance Reviews.
Q&A
How many Zingerman's businesses have you worked for?
2, Bakehouse for 6.5 yrs. as the Bakeshop Manager, and ZingTrain
What is your favorite business book?
Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss and Confidence by Rosabeth Moss Kanter
What is your dream vacation?
Italy, eating my way through each small towns' specialty & taking lots of pictures.
What is your favorite way to learn?
By doing!
What do you like best about working at Zingerman's?
Where to begin?!? The food! The leadership style, entrepreneurial approach and the expectation that as a staff member you are helping run the business through open book management. I love interacting with our customers and connecting around learning and food. I love the many opportunities to learn and teach, and the approachability of all of our Partners.
What is your presentation style?
Interactive, to the point and hopefully relevant to the audience.
What is your "secret" skill - that skill you have that you don't have the ability to show off at work?
I make a mean dessert and I have a sweet jump shot! (guess that's 2...)
Best menu item at any of the ZCoB Businesses?
Hunka Burnin Love Chocolate Cake at Zingerman's Bakehouse
Best (non-Zingerman's) restaurant in Ann Arbor?
Pacific Rim by Kana
Best piece of advice you've ever received?
"People like to be asked and they like to be thanked."
If I could invent a holiday, it would definitely involve…
Hearts and donuts
If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be?
Julia Child
My most used emoji is...
*swelling pink heart*
The song that always puts me in a good mood is...
"Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars
My favorite word in the English language is...
Serendipity
When I was 5, I was pretty sure I'd be a [JOB/PROFESSION] when I grew up
When I was 11 I wanted to, "own my own business and work with people!"
