20 Questions for Avi Lazar

Avi Lazar has been the CEO of Mishpacha USA since 2009. Based in Mishpacha’s US offices, he carries the responsibility for advertising sales, finance, marketing, and US distribution, coordinating a labyrinth of logistics to deliver the weekly magazine to your doorstep come rain, shine, or tight Yom Tov deadline.

My ideal work environment

is a sterile desk

Deadlines make me

excited, as I anticipate crossing something off my list

The best piece of business advice I got was

at my first job in health and beauty aids, where I was hired to an executive position. On my first day, I was handed a broom and told to sweep the warehouse floor. If you want to be successful in any role, you need to learn the business you’re in from the ground up and experience what it’s like to perform all tasks, so you know what you’re asking of your employees.

1

Which responsibilities rest on you?

Our team is primarily responsible for the revenue-producing portion of the company. We have three main revenue streams: store sales, subscriptions, and of course, advertising, and we’re responsible for all of them. My other responsibilities include North American distribution, planning and creating local and national events, branding/marketing, and public relations. We also produce some content, as we handle the Family Table section as well as liaise with editors on leads we bring in.

I work primarily with our administrative staff to plan and execute the running of the company. Other teams I work closely with include our finance, advertising, subscription, and business development departments. I also interact with our printer, third party delivery services, and other vendors.