StrictlyVC Download The RealReal founder Julie Wainwright has written a memoir–and an entrepreneurial survival guide
Apr 22, 2025
Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal and Pets.com, shares her incredible journey from facing public failure to triumph in tech. She discusses her memoir, detailing the unique challenges of female leadership in a male-dominated industry. Wainwright highlights her experience navigating board dynamics and the pressures of media scrutiny, particularly during the dot-com bust. She also delves into her latest venture, Ahara, which emphasizes personalized nutrition as a key to health. Her insights serve as a powerful entrepreneurial survival guide.
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Pets.com Shutdown and Divorce
- Julie Wainwright experienced a harsh double blow when Pets.com shut down and her husband asked for a divorce on the same day.
- The media attention was intrusive, forcing her to withdraw socially and temporarily relocate to L.A.
Pets.com Was Ahead of Its Time
- The Pets.com failure was mainly due to being too early to market, not because the business model was wrong.
- Many criticized ideas later succeeded; timing and perception affected their fate.
Avoid Dumb Aggressive Hires
- Avoid hiring dumb aggressive employees as they hurt company culture and performance.
- Measure effectiveness within six months to identify inept hires who may bully others unjustly.