Zappos culture to me is fantastic. To be a company that sells service, not just merchandise, is unknown by most people. And a company that not only wants to WOW their customers, but also WOW their employees, is very much unknown. Free lunches and free medical are both very hard to come by in a company. The Zappos culture of WOWing the customer and their employees is absolutely awesome. In the time I have been at Zappos, I have been WOWed myself by the managers and leads; that does not happen at other companies. I love Zappos culture.
—Darlene J., CLT
Zappos has a caring, nurturing environment. I have no doubt that I am a valued team member and my team (everyone at Zappos) wants me to succeed. We are empowered to make decisions on what we think will best serve our customers. We are all about giving our customers the best service they have ever received. That is made easy because that is how each individual at Zappos is treated! It is a happy place to be, and that makes one want to work all the harder to give the best they have!
—Donna M., CLT
Given that we are speaking of Zappos as a company I work for, I would like to say that the company, and how it is labeled, has changed for me over the years. It is no longer just my employer. Zappos is my family. I can see this sense of family when I hear anything involving the Zappos name or explain our culture to someone new. This is evident when I refer to Zappos as “us” or “we” and not “the company I work for” or “my job.” My time here at Zappos is one of very few occasions in my life where I feel a sense of belonging and kinship. Being a part of this company has changed my life and its direction because I am beginning to experience, more and more, a sense of belonging with the friends I’ve made within the company and in other situations in my life. It feels as if Zappos was the actual reason for blessings in my life.
—Linda H., CLT
The culture at Zappos is absolutely amazing! It is awesome that each department can rely on other departments (something I have never experienced before). I love the fact that outside companies want to emulate what we have perfected.
—Andrea W., Help Desk
In the two years that I have been here, I have had the great pleasure of not only seeing some amazing changes, but also having a small hand in some of them. I have had a significant change in my role here at Zappos. My thoughts and way of thinking about our company culture have grown leaps and bounds. In many ways, I feel that our culture is even more defined. It’s even more talked about. People have quality discussions about it. I think that in many ways, it’s become very much like the “WOW” we give our customers. It’s something you can see and touch.
—Jacob P., Human Resources
I have been part of the Zappos family for four years now. I have seen the company grow and change to what it is today. As we have matured as a company, our culture has been untouched. Zappos’ culture is still the same as my first day in July 2001. I am WOWed just thinking about our growth and accomplishments. Our culture comes in many forms and expressions. We truly care about our partnerships with employees, customers and vendors. I have not worked for another company that treats everyone with respect.
—Ethel F., Corporate
I enjoy working at Zappos more, not less, as the company is growing. To me it is amazing as I’ve seen such transitions before, and in my previous experience(s) the bigger the company got, the more impersonal my work relationship became, and I would fill less and less significant as an employee. Not at Zappos; somehow we’ve managed to keep that cozy feeling of a small startup company that is over one thousand employees big.
—Alex R., Tech Support
The most remarkable thing about Zappos Culture is camaraderie. In San Francisco, we were always very friendly with one another; in Las Vegas, we have truly become friends. The amazing thing is that this creates a feedback loop that helps us both as a company and as individuals. For me, as I’ve gotten to know people outside of work, I’m able to better understand them and know their strengths and abilities as they (I hope) are able to know and understand me and trust mine. Because we’re better able to communicate with each other and work together, there’s a wonderful shared sense of achievement upon achievement, which feeds back into the friendship. There’s a small price, of course. I would be remiss to not mention that, like all relationships, friendships within the company can ebb and flow over time (hopefully more flow than ebb!). This can be a temporary stress. But on balance, the ability to be with new and exciting people outside of work makes work itself a much more congenial and sociable place.
—Eric W., Development
Perhaps the single most important factor that makes the Zappos culture so successful is respect. Zappos respects its employees! If it’s important to the employees, it’s important to Zappos. When I first came to Zappos, it was really mind altering… a company that goes out of its way to keep its employees happy?! And in turn we all contribute 110% towards the success of not only the company, but the Zappos family?! What a concept!
Norbinn R., Development
People come to Zappos from many different professional backgrounds. Frequently, they are impressed by the perks. However, the perks are really a byproduct of the company’s vision. The leadership seems very committed in making sure that people are not only comfortable in their work environment, but actually enjoy coming to work. I believe Zappos’ goal is to provide everyone an environment that they love to thrive in. The Zappos workplace has a youthful zeal that is pervasive throughout each department. I can honestly say that I think Zappos is one of the best places on the planet to work. The people are unique, the culture is vibrant and the environment is uplifting. I am a very particular person and I honestly can’t think of a place I would rather be.
—Richard B., System Administrator
Zappos.com culture may be many things to many people, but to me it’s about creating change. It is about creating new processes, policies, strategies and goals to move forward. Contributing to the changes first-hand is what makes Zappos Culture different from other companies. We each have the ability to contribute to the change in a positive way. Zappos is an innovative company, and it is exciting to be a part of its change and its growth.
—Lisa M., Legal
This will be my second entry for the Culture Book. It got me thinking about what impresses me this year versus last year. Everything was so new last year. The impact was pretty big on me. Everything was new and powerful. Now, with a full year under my belt, I find that Zappos still WOWs me. As a company, Zappos still loves to evolve and not stay with the status quo. I love to be challenged and yet I also love to do what I am currently doing in my job with accounts payable. The WOW factor at Zappos gives me the option of learning new things by taking the classes that are now offered internally and still staying in my position. So while I continue to learn and expand my horizons, I can do my job and be ready for the day my inner drive says it is time to try the next challenging job Zappos has to offer. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!
—Debra J., Finance
To me, Zappos Culture is about an entire company of individuals, who are not only allowed, but also encouraged to be themselves, working together to make the group stronger as a whole. When you have a company that is so honest and open about everything that goes on, whether it is in good or difficult times, it makes everyone feel as though they are truly part of a great organization—unlike most others. Because our culture brings us so close, we have an entire company of people who love being here, and who would do anything they can to help make the company successful.
—Jason C., Marketing
The Zappos Culture to me is like a guideline to life and hope to live that life at Zappos. I think it gives you guidelines to the way you should act and respond to different happenings at Zappos. Also, the culture of Zappos teaches you to be yourself and not to change for anyone. How many places can you work and wear your style of clothing, piercing, hair, and tattoos any way you like; nowhere, except for Zappos. The best advice I can give to you about working at Zappos is to be yourself, don’t let anyone change you, live one day at a time and enjoy being here… this is your home away from home.
—Jenny H., KY Warehouse
The best way to sum up how I feel about Zappos is pride. I am so proud that our company is in the top 25 of the best places to work in Kentucky and the top 25 of the best places to work in the nation. I am so proud that the HR team works so hard to drive the culture at the FC in Kentucky and does such a great job. I am so proud that our employees get involved in the community, whether they are jumping in the Ohio River in February to support Special Olympics, or bowling to raise money for Big Brothers/Big Sisters or bed-racing during the Kentucky Derby Festival or walking to raise awareness for cancer or making sure local children have clothes and toys for the holidays. I am so proud that when I am out and meet new people and tell them I work at Zappos, they rave about how much they love us. I am so proud of Zappos.
—Andi P., KY Warehouse
Today, my job consisted of scaling a 40-foot-high ladder onto the roof of the old Zappos warehouse to shoot a group photo. Yesterday, I was photographing protein candy bars and then go to eat them. Tomorrow… well, tomorrow I’ll probably get back to shooting adult apparel, children’s apparel, footwear, electronics or housewares. My point is that you never know what each day is going to bring at Zappos. To be successful, you really have to embrace and drive change, and we do! I have been working here just over one year, and while my first year has zipped right by, I feel like I’ve known everybody in our department for years. Through so much change, we have been able to stick together as a team, all the while maintaining a positive atmosphere.
—Jimmy M., KY Warehouse
Working at Zappos makes me feel like I have my own business, but even better. Everyone you come across, from co-workers to vendors, wants you to succeed. With help from other departments, your ideas could come true in just a matter of a few minutes. There are no roadblocks, and you can go as crazy as you want, as long as you can learn from your mistakes. And the end result is rewarding—you are happy to be part of the family.
—Angela C., Merchandising
I love Zappos more than Chai Lattes and yoga and as much as lounging on the beach. Thank you, Uncle Zappos, for letting me be a buyer, teaching me and challenging me every day, and thank you for allowing me to work with my best friends.
Catie F., Merchandising
Zappos is like no other, and I love that. It’s so refreshing to wake up every morning wanting to come to work. Wanting to actually see and interact with all your co-workers. Because this isn’t just a job, and they’re not just co-workers; they’re all great friends. And when you get to go to work every day and work with all your friends and do what you love, it isn’t work at all. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and this last year has FLOWN by!
—Michelle F., Merchandising
So my first full year at Zappos has passed, and it is time to again write about what the culture means to me. Here is what I know: I know that this past year has gone by faster than any other I can remember. I know I have grown personally and professionally the most this past year. And this past year has been filled with the hardest work and the most fun I have ever had at a job. I think all of these contributed to the culture here at Zappos. Without them, none of what I accomplished this past year would have been possible. The culture here is priceless in that it allows us, as individuals, to be ourselves and grow and learn to better ourselves, and in turn, the company. I can only imagine what the next year(s) have in store, but because of the culture, I am thankful to be here and I am excited to experience it all!
—Dena M., Product Info
There is no question that Zappos has turned the brick and mortar business upside-down with their excellent customer service. However, the most impressive part of the Zappos stories is the professional manner in which the buyers interact with wholesalers. Calls are returned. Appointments are easily obtained. Follow-on meetings and orders are totally hassle-free. The buying group dresses and conducts themselves with professionalism on a full-time basis. Zappos has embraced the shoe industry by supporting shows and trade events, and senior management is very visible and approachable (clearly raising, if not destroying, the bar compared to the competition). Zappos employees are candid and open regarding the direction, methodology and mistakes of their business. Zappos has set a new standard that all retailers could learn from. The Zappos success is no fluke and is well deserved.
—Bob L., Partner
To me, Zappos Culture means revolution. The shoe business has become a sedentary, unchanging world, where the same old thing had become the daily grind. Zappos came along and turned the shoe industry upside down! It lit a collective fire under retailers and wholesalers alike, and breathed life into an otherwise comatose community. Many people doubted that your business model would survive, nonetheless flourish into what it’s become. Zappos is now a household name, and should be in the dictionary. We are all proud to be a part of what you have accomplished.
—Daniel L., Partner
I have been a business partner with Zappos since the days when the company was headquartered on Van Ness Street in San Francisco. Over the years, I have experienced the Zappos Culture as it relates to the concept of partnership. Zappos has taken the concept to an unprecedented level where personal and business relationships are of mutual benefit. Many retailers talk about relationships of mutual benefit; some pursue it in a cavalier way, but few achieve the desired goal. Zappos is in a league of its own. Zappos has distinguished itself from the rest of the retail community, which is most commendable. The Zappos Culture reinforces the values of good working relationships based on trust and integrity. As vendors, we are made to feel important and appreciated. Our contributions to your sales and earnings are valued, which makes us feel like members of the Zappos team. We are vendors, but Zappos Culture makes us feel like associates. Thanks for this association, and for the opportunity to be a part of this exciting on-going retail adventure.
—Lewis G., Partner
Zappos lives in this world of high expectation. It used to be that the measure of service was Nordstrom, but no longer. Next day delivery, huge selection, easy returns… all of the components of the business pale to what Zappos really gives: old fashioned service. Zappos combines the best of what technology has to offer with an emphasis on the basics—treating the customer with respect. What is the culture of Zappos? To me it is a combination of technology, old school service, and the ability to laugh. I find myself lucky to be part of the process.
—Dominique S., Partner