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20VC: Farfetch Founder, José Neves on Zen Buddhism and Its Impact on Leadership Mentality, Why Head vs Heart is Not the Right Way To Think About Decision-Making & How To Work Through Self-Doubt and Identity as a CEO

May 20, 2021

José Neves, Founder and CEO of Farfetch, shares his entrepreneurial journey from creating footwear brands to revolutionizing online luxury fashion. He delves into the profound impact of Zen Buddhism on his leadership style and how it helps him navigate the loneliness that comes with being a CEO. Discussing decision-making, José dismisses the head vs heart debate, urging a balanced approach. He opens up about overcoming self-doubt and the importance of resilience in leadership, emphasizing that true success is about learning to rise after setbacks.

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ANECDOTE

From Software to Shoes to Farfetch

José Neves's entrepreneurial journey began 27 years ago, starting with software development and later shoe design.
These experiences led to Farfetch, a platform connecting curators, creators, and luxury fashion.

INSIGHT

Lessons from Swear

José's early brand, Swear, taught him about the cyclical nature of fashion trends and the challenges of the industry.
This led to Farfetch's risk-free model, allowing creatives global reach without the burdens of traditional retail.

ANECDOTE

Falling and Getting Up

José discusses Swear's near bankruptcy when platform shoes fell out of trend.
He highlights the humbling experience of being a CEO and the importance of resilience.

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José Neves is the Founder, CEO & Chairman @ Farfetch, the #1 destination for high-end fashion offering the world's Greatest Selection of Luxury. Now a public company, José has raised over $1.7Bn with Farfetch from some of the biggest names including Alibaba, Richemont, JD.com, Index Ventures and DST to name a few. Prior to Farfetch, José has been involved in the fashion start-up world since the mid-1990s when he launched footwear business SWEAR. José later founded SIX London, a fashion licensing and wholesale company selling to 600 retailers worldwide. Finally, in 2001 José opened the renowned boutique bstore, which won the British Fashion Award for Retailer of the Year in 2006.

In Today’s Episode with José Neves You Will Learn:

1.) How José made his way from creating footwear brands in the days of the Spice Girls and cyberpunk to changing the fashion industry itself with Farfetch?

2.) Why does Zen Buddhism resonate with José in such a profound way? How does his adoption of it impact his style of leadership today? How does José deal with the loneliness of being a CEO? What does José mean when he says the most successful leaders, "know how to fall and how to get up"? How has José responded to his greatest failures?

3.) How does José think about decision-making today? What are the biggest misconceptions people have with regards to effective decision-making? Why is head vs heart the wrong way to think about decision-making? How does José adopt a sense of emotional detachment when making decisions? What works? What does not work?

4.) How does José evaluate his relationship to money today? In what ways has it changed over time? What does José believe that others do not believe when it comes to risk and risk management? How does José balance the demands of Wall St and investors with the knowledge that everything is inherently uncertain?

5.) Does José ever feel self-doubt? How does he manage it? In what ways does he advise earlier stage founders to grapple with their own self-doubt? How does José think about tying one's own identity to their company? Why is this so dangerous?

Item’s Mentioned In Today’s Episode with José Neves

José’s Favourite Book: The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World

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