SPOTLIGHT ON ... ASHLEY WEINGART

How Northeast Ohioans (attempt to) do it all Spotlight on …

Ashley Weingart, founder and CEO of Perfectly Imperfect Produce

Ashley Weingart created Perfectly Imperfect Produce in Willoughby Hills in 2016 as a program of her husband’s family’s century-old produce business, Forest City Weingart Produce, at the Cleveland Produce Terminal.

She developed the concept – selling uniquely shaped, sized or blemished produce – after learning about the amount of food waste in the United States and the number of people who don’t have enough food.

“Andy (Weingart, her husband) and I began packing up produce at risk of going to waste and delivering it to people’s homes,” she says. “For every box we sell, we donate produce to people in need right here in Cleveland.” Today, the business packs hundreds of boxes a week, delivering as far south as Columbus, as far west as Sandusky and as far east as Geneva.

With three children at home, Weingart, 42, spoke about her life at home and at work.

What’s the most important thing you do in the morning to start your day? Coffee fi rst. Always. I start every day at 5 a.m. at the gym.

What is your biggest productivity hack? Hire a good team of people you trust and empower them to do the work that they are so qualifi ed to do. As the owner and founder of Perfectly Imperfect Produce, it has always been hard for me to delegate responsibilities that I enjoy doing. I’ve learned in recent times that even though I may love a certain task, I may not be the best person for the job.

How do you manage stress?

I am still learning how to manage it. I try to not get too far ahead of myself and focus only on the task at hand. Do you cook? What kind of family meals are mainstays?

I enjoy having friends and family over on the weekends when I have more time to get creative and really get into my happy place. Weeknights are becoming more and more challenging with various kids’ activities and homework. My husband and I don’t eat animal protein, but my children do, so this can make things tricky. We typically rotate between a handful of our favorite, fl exible dishes and offer two different protein choices on the side; one with meat and one meat-free. I do reference our blog full of recipes often (uglyfoodmakeover.com) where everything is pretty simple to pull together and always healthy. We always have a lot of fruits and veggies around the house as you can imagine. I do enjoy getting creative to use them all up.

Who inspires you?

My husband, Andy. I am in awe of the way he manages to do so many things for so many people and never ever complains that he’s too busy. He’s so patient helping our kids with their homework even in the middle of three other things that need his attention. He comes home from work and goes right back out to clear the snow off the driveway, or take our daughter out to practice her golf swing. He will do anything for our kids and for me.

How do you handle creative mental blocks?

I usually walk away for a little while. Maybe go for a run or go to the gym to let it simmer.

What do you do to unwind?

I am a sucker for a full-bodied Cab and good dark chocolate. Ashley and Andrew Weingart and their children, John, 7, Caroline, 10, and Elizabeth, 12, at their Chagrin Falls home. | Submitted photo

possible. Lift heavy. Run fast. I have run three marathons and several half marathons since 2013 and I work hard to lift as much as possible in my workouts. Pushing myself to achieve physical goals that I thought I could not accomplish has taught me so much about myself and what I am able to do when I put in the time and effort. This has played a huge part in my success professionally.

What are your favorite Northeast Ohio places to spend time with your family?

There are so many special places to spend time with family in Northeast Ohio. My most favorite is probably hiking and playing in the river in the Metroparks.

What’s your nighttime routine?

I go to bed pretty early. Kids are in bed by 8:30. Lights out by 9 so I can get up early and get a great start to the next day.

Get a jump on a fresh start and new perspective Why not start downsizing and apartment hunting now?

My Style! My Style!

Fresh home-envy. It’s the feeling you get looking at a glossy magazine layout of a new, beautiful living space decorated with carefully chosen and stylish pieces of art and furniture. Unfamiliar. Enticing. It’s exciting, and it draws you in. You want that. You both want that. But you have a house, full of stu , and you just can’t imagine moving. It isn’t hard to amass so many personal belongings in one lifetime, but it can feel like an emotional chain around our ankles when it’s time to downsize, especially in our 60s, 70s and 80s. Family heirlooms, favorite furniture, paintings, knick-knacks, photographs, dusty trophies, books and clothes seem to pile up over the years. Most of us don’t realize how much we’ve accumulated until we are either packing it up or paying the movers to do so. Unfortunately, our many belongings can also be a crippling burden on our loved ones if our health suddenly fails.

Planning your move into a smaller home or apartment while you’re healthy gives you more options, more time and a reassuring peace of mind. Advantages include: 1. You choose where you want to move, what you want to take or sell, and to whom you want to pass your heirlooms.

2. You’ll have more time to sell, gift or store what you don’t want in your new apartment or condo, saving money on moving costs when you make your move.

3. Remind yourself, you’ll free up money you would have paid in property taxes, home maintenance, yard upkeep, association fees and unexpected costs by downsizing, selling and moving. 4. You can use your freed-up money to try something new. You can travel. Volunteer. Invest in a new hobby or skill. Enjoy life. Make fresh memories.

5. Your loved ones will thank you. Many times, moving is done under duress and it is the family members who are left with the responsibility of clearing out and selling your home and belongings.

6. You’ll feel lighter, less stressed and ready to ful ll whatever dreams you may have, knowing you can just pick up and go, or just relax and enjoy a new active life and a fresh perspective in this next phase of your life. And you will be ready for it!

For information on downsizing or options in senior living, call Deanna Snider at 216-831-6515 or email dsnider@menorahpark.org.

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