Q&A: Made.com's co-founder and chief operating officer Julien Callède

What was your first job in retailing?

Selling educational books door to door during a summer in the US. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but a worthwhile experience.

Which retail company do you admire most and why?

Amazon. It offers you exactly what you want, promises you a great service and sticks to it.

What is the trait you least like in yourself?

Impatience. I want everything now. I’m also always being told by colleagues to tidy my desk.

Who have you learnt most from in your retail career?

Our customers. Talent makes a difference, inspiration is key, but the one rule to follow is listen to your customers.

What advice would you give someone starting out in retail?

Re-read my previous answer two to three times.

What keeps you awake at night?

Jet lag. I constantly travel around the world to visit suppliers.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Definitely when I wake up and go through customer feedback from the previous day. It’s a tremendous boost.

What’s your proudest achievement?

The team we’ve built. I told them once, a while ago, but I should do it again. Building a company that’s offering
jobs to more than 100 people and delivery to hundreds of thousands of happy customers in a few years takes a great team.

What job would you have done if you hadn’t become a retailer?

I’d love to do something in education. I think the sector needs a step change, creating something that makes a real difference would be one of my dreams.

What’s your favourite shop and why?

I’ll go for an etailer: Naked Wines. I love its straight-talking approach.

What was your last purchase?

A race bike. I’ve realised I need a bit of exercise to cope with the jet lag.