There Are 27 Dzolidays
— Studio Dzo is closed for business 27 days each year —
New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth (Emancipation Day), Independence Day, Labor Day, three days for Fall Break, and seven days for the End of Year Break. This doesn’t include the 10 PTO days each Dzo employee is afforded each year or weekends.
Why so many Dzolidays (Pronounced zhah-li-days)? For us, it’s by design and with purpose. The best way to explain why we place so much value on time not "working" is to share with you the sentiments of the Dzo team.
Studio Dzo: How does “Do Good Work” apply to Dzolidays?
Yen: Dzo’s mission "Do Good Work" isn’t just about the design we do in the studio. It’s also about the work-life balance. We all really value the importance and relationship of each other’s families! The days off policies at Studio Dzo increases the time each of us has to be and bond with our families.
Studio Dzo: Do the Dzolidays affect your workflow/ethic? How?
Yen: By having such consistent time off work, it allows me to refresh myself and be ready for the next step of work and challenges. It also helps me to stay creative and think objectively about my work. It gives me time to explore and inspires me to open new thoughts or paths. I use Dzolidays to spend time with my family, read, work on my ceramics, painting, and crafting.
“We all really value the importance and relationship of each other’s families!”
One of Yen’s latest ceramic projects
Studio Dzo: How have Dzolidays helped you in your view of community?
Jordan: One of the many reasons I'm proud to work at Studio Dzo is our commitment to volunteering and being a part of the community on holidays like Juneteenth and MLK Day. We haven't been able to do much this year of course, but in the past, it has helped create a strong sense of who we are and what we stand for. It’s also helped give me a purpose in what we're doing, and to keep me grounded in my daily work. I treasure these opportunities and hope to have many more as soon as we're able to.
“...it has helped create a strong sense of who we are and what we stand for. ”
The Dzo team volunteering at Huston-Tillotson University on MLK Day 2019
Studio Dzo: As a seasoned designer, have you ever had this much dedicated time off?
Paul: Studio Dzo has provided more days off than any other employer I have worked for. My previous employer got close but I worked there for 10 years and had to build time up.
Studio Dzo: What do you love most about Dzolidays?
Paul: The days off policy here gives me more time to clear my mind and spend time with my family, which is very important to me. I have 3 young kids who are growing up so fast and I appreciate the time I am afforded to be a part of that without the stresses of work during my days-off. It also gives me more time to decompress and refuel creatively, so when I do come back to work I am re-energized and am ready to get back to it. I believe that time away improves my work ethic, but it also makes me appreciate my work and the people I work with. I know it's not easy to run a business and time is money in most cases… so the long breaks that Studio Dzo gives us show me that they truly care about our well being and they trust us…That goes a long way in my book and creates loyalty.
“...time away improves my work ethic, but it also makes me appreciate my work and the people I work with.”
Paul and his family
Studio Dzo: How have Dzolidays affected you personally?
Hailey: They give me more time to spend with my loved ones, most importantly. They also give me more opportunities to get out and smell the roses, which I love. There is so much thought and care behind the Dzolidays and the generosity of them. Everyone at Studio Dzo values and prioritizes mental and emotional health and the Dzolidays are a testament to that. I feel very cared for and thought of. And, therefore, I’m driven and motivated to be careful and thoughtful with my work. It’s a beautiful cycle.
“Everyone at Studio Dzo values and prioritizes mental and emotional health and the Dzolidays are a testament to that.”
Hailey “smelling the roses”
Studio Dzo: What would you say was the deciding factor when choosing to observe 27 Dzolidays?
Elizabeth: Russell and I have both put in years at other companies, both big and small. When starting Studio Dzo, we promised one another that we would treat our team fairly and justly, and we would continue to run this company in a way that supported our goals and vision. We agreed that there would be no reason to own our own business if we could not do that. For Dzolidays, I think the biggest deciding factor for Russell and me is that we truly value our team and their families. We consider them part of our own. We know that spending time with your loved ones is one of the most important things in life, and as small business owners we know (like really, really, know) this isn't easy when you are working. Us being able to give our team the ability to spend time with families, friends, and reflect, is really what the time off is for. Just one of the reasons we continue to work as hard as we do.
“When starting Studio Dzo, we promised one another that we would treat our team fairly and justly, and we would continue to run this company in a way that supported our goals and moral compass. ”
Studio Dzo: As Studio Dzo's Creative Director, what positive effects have you seen the Dzolidays have on the Dzo team?
Russell: While it sometimes feels like we're way too busy to justify giving as many "Dzolidays" as we do, I am always impressed with how quickly everyone falls back into the groove after a long break. There is a difference between "hustling" and "grinding". As a life-long "hustler", you learn to hustle smarter, not harder. I've learned that time away from work actually fosters creativity and productivity. Everything we do is custom and I want our team to approach each and every challenge with an open mind and excited about what they do. The last thing I want is for us to start "grinding" out work just to get it out of the door. If we aren't excited about our work, how can we expect our partners (clients) to be? Our "Do Good Work" motto requires that we do good by our team, first and foremost. Everything else will fall in line.
“Our “Do Good Work” motto requires that we do good by our team, first and foremost. Everything else will fall in line.”
