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Tony Hsieh’s Office: Welcome to the Rain Forest
1. “Hey, hey, we’re the ... ”
We don’t like the term “executive.” So, we went with “monkeys” instead. Monkey Row is where myself and some of my co-workers sit.
Where the wild things are
We have two buildings that are kind of attached. There’s a 10-story building and a three-story building. We just moved here. The three-story building is where the monkeys are. At the top of the 10-story building, we have the people who answer the phones, the call center reps.
Who has the best view
The call center reps. We’ve always done that. They’re the ones providing customer service and that is what our brand is about.
2. Greenery
The green makes you feel like you are in a rain forest. It started in our old offices, where every row had its own decoration theme and we went with a rain-forest theme. I can’t remember — maybe the term Monkey Row came up after the decorations, not the other way around.
Unexplained objects
My desk kind of accumulates random junk, when people give gifts, or I don’t know. As I look around my desk, I have no idea why things are on it. The only thing I can explain is the phone.
3. Animal vision
I am just noticing this now, but there are two llamas on my desk and they are both wearing glasses. Apparently, that is what is trending in the llama world. They are unrelated. I have no idea why they are on my desk.
Dress shoes under desk
That’s for when they make me dress up for photos. Otherwise, I just normally wear sneakers.
Office uniform
Jeans and a Zappos T-shirt. It’s comfortable, and it means that I have fewer decisions to make in the morning.
What his desk says about him
That I’m messy.
Favorite part of workday
Making fun of and joking with the Time Ninjas. Some companies might call them executive assistants. We joke around a lot here, which is fun.
Lunch
I will either skip it, or grab something quick to eat in a meeting.
4. Caffeine
There’s Red Bull on the desk. I used to drink a lot of it. Less so now. I drink a lot more coffee now. I go in phases.
Least favorite part of work space
There’s no food right here, where I sit.
Available snacks
There is a nut bowl, but not at my desk. I wish there were pickles.
Home? Office? Home office
I live two blocks away from the office. It is convenient for coming in to do a quick meeting. My work and home are interchangeable. I am between the two all the time.
Schedule
I usually start working around 6 a.m. Then I have meetings until midnight or so. We are still building out the larger conference rooms, so many meetings are at my house. There are also meetings we do via videoconference.
No points for neatness
I hate it when there’s nothing on people’s desks. That concerns me. I guess it means they left, right?
Office he covets
What I really admire is the nonoffices. I’d rather work in a random coffee shop somewhere around the world.
Why Vegas?
Ten years ago when we moved here, it was because we wanted to build this brand to be about the best customer service. Nobody in San Francisco wanted to do customer service, so we moved to Las Vegas. Now we are in downtown Vegas, and the whole vibe of downtown Vegas is entrepreneurial energy, creativity, innovation and discovery. Those things fit in really well with Zappos and our culture.
Urban renewal
The Downtown Project is privately funded by myself and some friends. We have a budget of $50 million for small businesses, $50 million for tech start-ups, $50 million for education and the arts, and $200 million for real estate. We want to create a walkable community and make downtown Vegas the most community-focused city in the place you’d least expect it.
Gambler?
Not really. The stuff we are focused on is in an area called Fremont East. It is an area that most tourists don’t know about. It is the complete opposite of the Strip. We are focused on locals and building community. The Strip is focused on tourists.
Interview conducted by Edward Lewine. Comments have been edited and condensed.
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