2023 Star Women in Grocery Award Winner Bryn Peck (Q&A)
Bryn Peck
District Manager
Meridian Farm Market
How did you get into the grocery business?
As a teenager, Meridian Meats was a local family-owned butcher shop just up the street from my house. I was 17 and this was the place to work; a few of my friends worked there already. I applied, got hired and moved my way up from there!
What are some of your career highlights, so far?
Joining the company when it was young and much smaller allowed me to grow up with Meridian—it’s the coolest thing! I started out in an entry-level position in our Port Coquitlam [B.C.] butcher shop. We had just four locations then. One of the owners, Kevin Penner, was my store manager. I learned meat-cutting from him and became his assistant manager before taking over for him entirely as the store manager. Our CEO, Josh Penner, dreamed of more than meat. We opened our first Farm Market and I got to run it. “More than meat” was a whole new world, but we got to figure it out together and it was awesome! I went on to manage our first acquisition, Ralph’s Farm Market, before becoming the district manager overseeing our eight (soon to be nine) locations. It’s been a real highlight to work with so many incredible people along the way, see them develop into amazing leaders, and see the company grow and find better ways of doing things every single day.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I love training and giving people opportunities. I think the absolute best way to be a great leader is to give others the opportunity to lead. Lead by example, give feedback, coach and support, and have a great culture.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job, and how do you deal with it?
Time management is always a hard one, in that I have certain tasks I need to complete but I just want to be in a store with the people, working a cart, jumping on till and having a great time on the floor.
How do you spend your time outside of work?
I enjoy painting, crafting, reading, anything with my dog, and if the weather is good, you’ll find me paddleboarding on the lake.
What is a fun fact about you?
I actually went to school for interior design while I was a store manager for Meridian. I got the call from the owners that they wanted me to manage our first Farm Market while sitting at my drafting table working on my final project before graduation. I got my diploma, but it’s only been used to make homes in the Sims. I think I did all right!
Click here for the full list of 2023 Star Women in Grocery award winners.