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Bill, CEO & Co-Founder at Wild One: Advize Career Interview
A journey from economics and track at the University of Pennsylvania to management consulting, Lehman Brothers restructuring, UCLA Anderson, Warby Parker, and finally co-founding the successful pet brand Wild One ("the Lululemon for pets")—this is the dynamic career path of a CEO and Co-Founder.
The interview reveals a multifaceted role demanding prioritization, financial literacy, and a balance of optimism and pessimism.
Success hinges on strong team building, navigating a varied workday encompassing everything from finance to sales, and understanding the interconnectedness of all business functions.
The pet industry's positive impact is a key motivator, and the interview offers valuable insights for students considering careers in consulting, finance, startups, marketing, or tech, emphasizing the importance of early exploration, adaptability, and emotional resilience.
A significant lesson learned: deep expertise coupled with broad knowledge is essential for success.
The interview concludes with advice on college experiences, advocating for exploring diverse interests and recognizing the unexpected transferable skills developed through extracurricular activities.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bill Wells
CEO & Co-Founder
Wild One
University of Pennsylvania
UCLA Anderson MBA
Economics
Retail
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Student Athlete
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Career Path Of A CEO And Co-Founder At Wild One
Bill's career journey began with a diverse undergraduate experience at the University of Pennsylvania, including a major in economics and extracurricular activities like running track and photography, before transitioning to management consulting at Alvarez and Marcel. This experience, including working on the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy restructuring after the 2008 financial crisis, eventually led Bill to UCLA Anderson, Warby Parker, and finally, co-founding and leading Wild One, a successful direct-to-consumer pet brand described as "the Lululemon for pets," showcasing a path of continuous learning and entrepreneurial pursuits.
Main Responsibilities of a CEO and Co-Founder at Wild One
As CEO and Co-Founder, Bill's main responsibility is "setting our business strategy and mission," enabling the team to achieve it through strong team building and organizational design. This involves a horizontal approach, working across all departments—from sales and marketing to product development—at a mid-level of detail to ensure progress toward goals, while collaborating with the co-founder to specialize in areas like finance and sales.
A Day In The Life Of A CEO And Co Founder At Wild One
Bill, CEO and Co-founder of Wild One, describes a highly varied workday, encompassing "anything from financing to sales," including interactions with retailers like Petco and Wild One's direct-to-consumer marketing team to ensure "wildone.com presence" growth. This highlights the multifaceted nature of leadership at a growing company, with no two days being alike.
Most Important Skills for a CEO and Co-Founder at Wild One
Prioritization and financial literacy are crucial skills for a CEO, with Bill highlighting the importance of "knowing where to prioritize" team efforts and "doing fewer things better." A strong understanding of financial statements, like "how to read a P&L," is essential for informing business success and strategic decision-making across all teams.
Favorite Parts Of Being A CEO And Co Founder At Wild One
Bill, CEO & Co-Founder at Wild One, finds the most rewarding aspect of his role is "working with the team to set them up for success and watch them grow," contributing to both individual career development and company growth. He also values connecting with "external partners throughout operations," highlighting a collaborative approach to leadership.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a CEO and Co Founder at Wild One
Bill's biggest challenge as CEO & Co-Founder of Wild One is maintaining a balance between "optimistic and pessimistic" perspectives when evaluating opportunities; this requires simultaneously assessing risks and embracing ambitious goals, ultimately committing to a path and executing it successfully.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Pet Industry As A CEO And Co-Founder
Bill's favorite aspect of the pet industry, compared to previous roles in consulting and at Warby Parker, is its "positive space" and the "positive impact" it has; this passion stems from a lifelong love of animals and a desire for a positive work environment, unlike the "challenging" nature of earlier career stages.
Who Thrives In Consumer Startups According To A CEO And Co-Founder At Wild One
In the consumer startup world, flexibility and comfort with ambiguity are key to success, as "things are not always gonna go according to plan," requiring adaptation to shifting priorities and changing internal and external conditions. This adaptability is a crucial trait for thriving in such a dynamic environment.
What a CEO and Co-Founder at Wild One Wishes They Had Known
Bill, CEO and Co-founder of Wild One, learned that the role demands a significant emotional investment, describing it as "a part of you," making it difficult to separate personal well-being from the business's success. This emotional rollercoaster, experienced by many entrepreneurs, highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding tying self-worth solely to the company's performance.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring CEOs And Co-Founders
Bill, CEO & Co-Founder at Wild One, suggests entry-level roles in consulting, finance, or banking provide a "solid foundation of analytical skills," though it's not mandatory to remain in those fields. Alternatively, startups, marketing, and tech offer rich opportunities, advising that early career exploration should focus on gaining experience and identifying "what aspects of a job or industry are not attractive."
Significant Career Lesson From A CEO And Co Founder At Wild One
Bill's most significant career lesson, gleaned from his time at Warby Parker and business school, is the importance of "going as deep as possible" in one's own expertise while simultaneously "be[ing] a sponge and soak[ing] up everything else around" them. This holistic approach, encompassing a broad understanding of how all business functions interconnect, proves invaluable throughout a career.
College Experiences That Helped a CEO and Co-Founder at Wild One Succeed
Bill, CEO & Co-Founder at Wild One, highlights the importance of "exploring everything" and "casting a wide net" during college to discover passions, further emphasizing the unexpected but significant role of "discipline and rigor" gained from being a college athlete in shaping professional success and teamwork skills. The experience translated directly into early career success, particularly within a consulting environment populated by other former athletes who inherently understood "how to get things done."
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