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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.
29:16
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Quick takeaways
- Julie Wainwright emphasizes resilience and learning from failure, highlighting her journey from Pets.com to founding The RealReal and Ahara.
- The podcast discusses the importance of leadership skills and innovative approaches in overcoming challenges within the tech industry, especially for women.
Deep dives
Navigating Early Career Challenges
Julie Wainwright reflects on her ascent in the tech industry during the late 90s, emphasizing the importance of hard work and merit over politics. She credits early experiences at Clorox and her roles at various software companies with equipping her with essential skills for leadership. Her rise to CEO positions, including being promoted at Berkeley Systems, was often driven by taking on challenges and showing results amid organizational chaos. Wainwright's story illustrates that success in a male-dominated industry often required sheer determination and resilience.
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