Everyday intelligence
BRITNEY ZIEGLER • Panso
WORK • Wednesday Routine
BRITNEY ZIEGLER • founder • Panso
Neighborhood you live and work in: Marin County
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
My days begin at 630a with the development team at my hospitality platform startup. We meet early to sync on software development progress, customer improvements, and planning alignment. After our morning stand-up, the rhythm shifts, and depending on the week, it’s client calls, potential partner pitches, category strategy sessions, and design meetings.
My days on a work-from-home day are split between virtual meetings and walking Wilson, my Labradoodle, to catch some fresh air. Other days, I’m out with customers or partners, seeing how Panso is showing up in the real world.
What’s on the agenda for today?
This morning I’m reviewing our next wave of AI upgrades, including our AI chat intelligence layer and the personalized guest-experience engine we’re building into our CRM. Lunch is at Dalida with one of my closest friends (who’s also a founder in the hospitality space) where we’ll trade notes on scaling our companies. Later, I’m at Postscript, my favorite daytime café/working spot in the city, for a business meeting. And if I had the evening free, I’d pop over to Verjus for an early dinner.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
On my hit list right now in San Francisco is Via Aurelia. I’m hoping to finally get in this week. For my friend’s birthday this weekend, we’re heading to Good Good Culture Club — the sister restaurant to Liholiho Yacht Club — and it’s always such a vibrant, joyful experience.
How about a little leisure or culture?
My perfect day is always in Marin County. I love driving out to Muir Beach for a hike and ending the day with dinner on the balcony at Cavallo Point, overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. Another favorite: Stinson Beach, breakfast or lunch at Parkside Café, a long walk on the beach, and ending the afternoon watching the sunset with whichever book I’m currently reading.
Any weekend getaways?
Mendocino is my forever favorite quick escape. It feels like a little piece of the Hudson Valley (where I grew up) dropped onto the Northern California coast, with its dramatic cliffs and quiet ocean views. If you haven’t stayed at the Harbor House Inn, add it to your list. It’s magical and serene, and the food alone is worth the trip.
What was your last great vacation?
My last great vacation was to Portugal: Porto, Madeira, Beja, and Melides, a perfect blend of city energy, island life, ranch serenity, and coastal quiet.
In Porto, make time for the Lello Bookstore (tickets ahead are essential), get a car to take you to the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, pop over to GUR Rug Store, and wander through the artist-filled neighborhood. End the night with dinner at Gruta. In Madeira, stay at Quinta da Bela Vista, a property that transports you back in time — you truly feel like English royalty there. Or, if you want something more polished, the Belmond is exceptional.
In Beja, you barely need to leave the property at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova. Daily meals across their different restaurants and homes keep every day feeling fresh. Pottery classes, horseback riding lessons, and the spa create a tranquil, meditative experience. It was my favorite part of the entire trip. In Melides, stay at Hotel Vermelho, Christian Louboutin’s boutique gem. It’s a world of its own, intimate, luxurious, and unforgettable.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Mill Valley Pasta Co. is a weekly staple for me. You can usually find Tony, the owner, at Bay Area farmers markets, or you can pop into his beautifully curated shop in Mill Valley. Tell him I sent you!
Where are you donating your time or money?
Sprouts Chef Training, a Bay Area nonprofit that gives under-resourced youth a real pathway into meaningful culinary careers. They pair young people with chef-mentors, provide paid apprenticeships in local restaurants, and offer wraparound life-skills support so their graduates can step confidently into the workplace. Their philosophy is simple and beautiful: kitchens heal, community matters, and jobs change lives.
Photo: Jonica Moore