Leadership Journeys [109] - Kilian Kaminski - "To be successful, you have to create long-lasting relationships."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

Kilian is the co-founder and COO of Refurbed, which is the fastest growing online-marketplace for sustainable products in Europe. 

In this inspiring interview, Killian shares his journey from a sustainable startup in Shanghai to building a leading marketplace for refurbished products in Europe. 

He reveals the challenges he faced while convincing investors about the power of sustainability as a driving force for their business. 

Learn how he strategically balances supply and demand to create a seamless experience for both customers and suppliers, and how he adapted his leadership style while scaling from a small team to 300 employees. 

Discover valuable insights and personal development tips that will empower you to drive positive change and embrace sustainability in your leadership journey. 

You can find Kilian at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiliankaminski/
• Refurbed

In the interview, Kilian shares

• "Our mission is to make sustainable consumption easier for both end customers and businesses." 
• "The first touchpoint of being in a startup showed me the strong ownership one can have in driving positive change." 
• "Launching the Amazon Renewed program opened my eyes to the benefits of refurbished products: lower prices, sustainability, and warranties." 
• "Joining forces with my co-founder Peter, we saw a huge market for a marketplace focusing solely on refurbished products." 
• "Our vision is to create a new normal in society where the circular economy and sustainable consumption are at the core of all decisions." 
• "One of our biggest challenges was convincing investors that sustainability could be a driving force for our business." 
• "Balancing supply and demand has been a constant challenge for our marketplace model, but we strive to create a great experience for both customers and suppliers."
• "As we continue to scale, we are focusing on profitability to ensure a sustainable future for the company and the environment." 
• "The journey from a small startup to a team of 300 has required constant learning and adaptation as a leader." 
• "Personal development and seeking feedback have been essential in shaping my leadership style and guiding our company towards a more sustainable future."