Meet Doug Zeif

We were lucky to catch up with Doug Zeif recently and have shared our conversation below.

Doug, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from a mix of optimism and pragmatism. I’ve always had a natural tendency to see what’s broken—whether the mistakes are mine or someone else’s—and feel a drive to fix it. More often than not, I’ve found myself in situations where things were going wrong, and I had to step up to get them back on track.

What’s carried me through those moments is optimism. I genuinely believe there’s always a way forward, and that it’s up to me to find it. Once you discover solutions a few times in difficult circumstances, you start to trust that you can figure out almost anything. That confidence—combined with the belief that problems are solvable—is the root of my resilience.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I lead a hospitality consulting group and have also owned and operated restaurants and bars. What excites me most about this work is the opportunity it provides to explore the world and immerse myself in diverse cultures. Along the way, I build meaningful relationships with people across the globe—connections that are as fulfilling as the concepts I bring to life.

Because I travel constantly, I have the privilege of dining out at least four nights a week, often in a different place each time. This constant curiosity and exposure keep me adventurous and give me early insight into emerging ideas and trends. That perspective has proven invaluable in shaping new concepts—both for clients and for myself. The last three restaurants I created achieved strong success with consumers, fueled by that global inspiration.

Hospitality also offers the rare satisfaction of seeing the results of one’s work in real time. A restaurant or bar either succeeds creatively and economically, or it doesn’t. Few experiences are as validating as standing in a dining room on a busy night and hearing guests share how wonderful their experience has been.

In short, my career allows me to merge my love of travel, food, and people into work that creates memorable dining experiences around the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that shaped me most as I built my career came from a wide range of experiences.

First, I developed the ability to excel in team settings—and to lead them. Growing up, I played a variety of sports, including baseball, football, ice hockey, basketball, and track & field. Each required different skills and perspectives, but together they taught me adaptability, discipline, and teamwork. Playing point guard in basketball or shortstop in baseball put me in positions of leadership, where success depended not just on my performance but on understanding and supporting the roles of my teammates. Those lessons continue to influence how I approach collaboration and leadership today.

Second, I learned the importance of humility through the dual experiences of winning and losing. Victory is gratifying, but true character shows in how one handles both success and defeat. Being a gracious winner is just as challenging as accepting losses with perspective and resilience. That humility has grounded me throughout my career.

Finally, I gained an appreciation for the value of experience—hands-on work and learning by doing. As Professor Scott Galloway has noted, the key is to find what you’re good at and find a way to monetize it. I was fortunate to discover a path that combined both skill and passion. While I have certainly worked hard, it rarely feels like “work” when you love what you do.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

There are a few things my parents did—whether intentionally or not—that deeply influenced how I see the world today. Interestingly, many of the most valuable lessons came from observing what not to do.

They were frugal when it came to me. While they took their trips, if I wanted something, I had to find my own way to get it. That pushed me toward independence early on—I started delivering newspapers at twelve so I could earn my own money.

They also fought constantly. With the help of therapy, I came to understand that I didn’t want to repeat that cycle. That realization taught me to walk away from unproductive relationships and gave me the courage to leave New York for California. That move was a turning point: it clarified what I wanted, showed me what I was capable of, and ultimately helped me launch my career.

Perhaps most importantly, I watched my father spend more than thirty years in a job he hated. I understood why he did it, but witnessing that day after day instilled in me a determination to love what I do. I’ve been fortunate in that regard—so far, I’ve found a career that I not only excel at, but also truly enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nexthospitality.com
• Instagram: @next_foodandbeverage
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-zeif-47030011/
• Other: https://dougzeif.substack.com/