Curious what it means to be a true Milwaukeean? Meet Creative Business Interiors CEO Gary Zimmerman.
Zimmerman was not only born and raised in Milwaukee, but also spent his entire education and career rooted in the city. After college, Zimmerman began his career in the construction industry, spending 12 years building a solid foundation in the field. In September 1991, Zimmerman launched Creative Business Interiors, a business that helps clients design, build, furnish and maintain their commercial facilities.
The founding of Creative Business Interiors marked the beginning of a new chapter for Zimmerman, one where he could continue to contribute to Milwaukee’s growth and business community.
That same year, Creative Business Interiors joined the MMAC. For nearly 35 years, this membership has enabled Zimmerman and his team to build connections, strengthen their leadership skills and remain highly involved in the business community.
As Zimmerman approaches retirement, he has taken time to reflect on his participation at the MMAC.
His reflections are detailed in the following Q&A:
What motivated you and the Creative Business Interiors team to join the MMAC in 1991?
Our initial motivation for joining the MMAC was to expand our networking opportunities as a young and growing company. Very quickly, though, our involvement evolved beyond networking. The peer learning and collaboration offered through the roundtable program became especially valuable, providing us with meaningful insights, support and connections as we continued to grow.
What has been the biggest benefit of your MMAC membership?
The biggest benefit of my MMAC membership has definitely been the visibility gained through active participation in chamber events. Beyond the professional exposure, I’ve developed many lifelong personal friendships through the chamber. MMAC has been an important part of both my professional journey and my personal life.
How has participating in the MMAC Executive Roundtable Program shaped your leadership approach?
My roundtable group became a trusted circle of advisors—a confidential space where I could openly share business plans, challenges and strategies. Through those conversations, I learned the value of listening and discovered how similar business situations can be across different industries. That perspective helped remove the “panic” from decision-making and made me a more thoughtful, grounded leader.
What is one business lesson you’ve learned from the network of leaders you met through the MMAC that surprised you?
One lesson that truly surprised me was how similar business challenges are, no matter what the industry. I also learned how essential it is to rely on and invest in your internal team. You may hold a role where you feel alone, but as a leader, you’re never actually alone—there’s a whole network of peers facing the same things and ready to support you.
If you could share one piece of advice to a professional who is new to the region’s business community, what would it be?
Get involved and make a commitment to participate in a roundtable. Be open-minded, maintain everyone’s confidence and understand that sharing your own experiences, good or bad, is just as important as hearing others share theirs. The more you engage, the more you’ll gain from the community.
As you look toward retirement, what is one thing that excites you about this next chapter?
What excites me most about retirement is the idea of finally feeling “caught up.” In business, you’re never truly caught up—your to-do list is always full, whether you’re pursuing the next deal or searching for the next great team member. The idea of having time where being caught up is actually possible feels like a whole new kind of freedom.
