When it comes to building a company, be short-term impatient but long-term patient.
- Heini Zachariassen
From a basement in Copenhagen to a multimillion-dollar company in Silicon Valley.
This week, on the Global Denmark Podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Heini Zachariassen; founder and board member of the world's largest online wine marketplace with over 35 million users, Vivino.
Listen to this insightful and fascinating conversation as we explore; how to disrupt a 6000-year-old wine industry, the keys to succeeding and growing a start-up, and how to successfully lead and retain global talent.
Episode Takeaways
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Disrupting a 6000-year-old wine industry [02:08]
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Introduction to the wine business [05:24]
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The journey from a basement in Copenhagen to Silicon Valley [07:19]
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The importance of data [09:38]
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Building trust before becoming an eCommerce platform [12:54]
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Attracting and getting investors [14:33]
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Moving to San Francisco [17:44]
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The Danish and American work mentality [19:53]
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Factors for growing at scale [21:14]
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Choosing the right people for the team [23:24]
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Work with freedom under responsibility [25:48]
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The shift away from being the CEO [27:32]
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What it would take to get a Global Dane like Heini back to Denmark [32:00]
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Daily routines to stay sharp [34:28]
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Events that gave a leap forward and challenging personality trait [36:05]
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Biggest motivator, demotivator and something weird about Heini [38:04]
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Guiding principles and mentors [40:20]
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Dinner party invites and book recommendations [42:16]
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Lessons to and from Denmark, and closing comments [45:55]
