Episode 40 | Part Two: Chris Gheysens

David sits down with Dustin Campbell, co-founder of Persistence Management Holdings and Persistently, to unpack his journey from investment banking to private equity — and the powerful lessons he learned along the way. In Part One, Dustin shares how a turnaround mentor reshaped his thinking about systems and culture, and why those insights convinced him that culture is more than a differentiator — it’s the driver of performance.

In this second part of their conversation, David and Ari Weinzweig dive deeper into two specific components of the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses: their training arm ZingTrain, and their company’s 34 beliefs. Ari weighs in on how much a growing organization should reflect the essence of its founders.

Since their modest opening in 1982, Zingerman’s Delicatessen has cemented its place as an institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan — rejecting the typical franchise model for food retailers and instead growing into what is today known as the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses. David sits down with Zingerman’s co-founder and co-owner Ari Weinzweig to talk about this incredible journey. In this first of a two-part conversation, Ari distills open-book management and anarchism in business, and explains how he finds culture-building “as much a creative act as cooking.”

In this second half of their conversation, David and Andy Busser get into the day-to-day teaching and reinforcing of the culture at Pitcairn. Andy answers all the important culture questions around his firm’s historic first acquisition of Brightside Partners.

For over 100 years now, Pitcairn has served and advised ultra-high-net-worth families on matters of legacy and wealth. In 2023, the firm’s centennial year, Andy Busser was appointed its CEO — and in this episode, he and David discuss honoring a century-old culture while also leading with one’s own vision for the future. Andy offers a unique insight on the returns from investing in the company culture.

In this second part of their conversation, David and Chris Gheysens continue to discuss the systems with which they transfer and reinforce the culture at Wawa. Chris expands on the idea of culture as a feedback loop, and shares the advice he would give his younger self.

For over 60 years now, the Wawa chain of convenience stores has been supplying the US East Coast with fresh food and consistently positive customer experiences. In the course of this two-part conversation, David takes a deep dive into the company culture behind the success — with the CEO of Wawa himself, Chris Gheysens. In this episode, Chris talks about embedding the culture in new geographies as the company expands to more cities, and finding the balance between results and the welfare of their associates.

The conversation continues with Brian Roers of Roers Companies. In this episode, he shares with David some of the challenges that come with expanding to now over a dozen states in the US. Brian reflects on the importance of being loud as a leader and having the right team when looking to the future.

In this first of a two-part conversation, Brian Roers shares his journey of co-founding Roers Companies with his brother Kent, and becoming a culture champion along the way. Roers Companies is a multi-awarded multifamily and commercial real estate development firm based in Minnesota. It was founded in 2012 — and by 2024, was recognized by Inc. 5000 as the 344th fastest-growing private company in America. At the heart of their remarkable growth is their Culture Blueprint, and a daily commitment to their culture.

David resumes the conversation with Steven Shapiro and Nancy Shapiro Rapport on designing Our Family Culture. Nancy and Steven explain how Our Family Culture shapes the way conversations are taking place between parents and children, and why repetition matters when parenting with purpose.