Being in the C-package is high-pressure work with long hours, wide responsibilities and intensive control. But how is it to be a top CEO when you’re out of the clock?
Wealth Series, good life, shows how leaders who come and come spend their time and money out of work.
Today we meet with co-founder and CEO of FerkadoEvola de Wilde.
The 31-year-old Berlin-based entrepreneur began his start in the world of high energy starting, working at Buisoning Tech companies five years before starting his own venture. It has professional styles in the airline’s passenger compensation company Airhelpand a community skin care brand in community Hellobody.
In 2022 Advanced Tech Skans Products Products to connect users to the best second -hand purchase options, aggregating information from different places online. It was voted for Product on the day of Black Friday in 2023, and in 2024 the company closed a A 3m -euro funding race led by the World Fund, Europe’s leading climate.
Ferkado has since become one of Europe’s biggest second -hand tools through its partnerships with eBay, Collective gown, Sellpy, Back to the marketAnd more. The AI function now aggregates more than 100 million offers through electronics, books, fashion and more. De Wilde’s sustainability value is also practiced in Ferkado-she says users have saved millions of dollars and tons of CO2 with the purchase of used goods through the digital accessory. Recently, Ferkado has spread to the UK with the launch of the browser plugin.
De Wilde was able to connect her passion for sustainability with her professional background in the initial scene in Berlin. And she practices what she preaches in her own life – from the place where she buys her coffee and indoors, how to celebrate her career “win”.
“I’ve always been trying to secure wherever I have lived sustainably,” she says Wealth. “In fact, it’s in my heart why I started Ferkado.”
Finances
Wealth: What is the best investment you’ve ever bought?
Apartment in Brussels, where I am from. I bought it 2 years ago, and it’s a profitable investment from day one, as the rent covers more than my mortgage. I have made several renovations to make it more efficient so that the value has already increased, and will probably continue to grow as well located. It was a lot of work, but I really want to build things made to last.
And the worst?
Nothing still. I was lucky.
What are your living arrangements: a scale apartment in the city or the suburban sprayer?
Live to Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin. It is considered peaceful, fancy, family neighborhood, with very small cafes and yoga study. My apartment is filled with art and Scandinavian vintage furniture. I’ve always been trying to secure wherever I have lived sustainably. In fact, it’s in my heart why I started Ferkado.
As early as 2021, when I moved to this unpolluted apartment during the pandemic, I could not just go out to the store and buy second -hand furniture. So I started doing it online and I realized how clumsy it was and time taking away experience. The same for clothing, books and electronics.
How do you travel to work?
By bicycle! I bike for at least an hour a day. It holds me fit and refreshes the mind. I do not own a car (and I hope you will never need it).
Do you wear a wallet?
I rarely have money. My favorite bank is tomorrow, a sustainable bank that invests my money in social and environmental projects. Plus, their cards are really beautiful.
Do you invest in stocks?
I played a little around with the commercial republic. I invested in renewable energy companies that are currently going really well, for example. Also eBayBecause I really believe that second hand is the future and SpotifyBecause it’s one of those products that just makes life more beautiful.
I will not give any advice on the topic, but I would say it is a good tool for promoting businesses that you understand and believe that they belong to the future of our economy.
Which personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old yourself?
- Save 20% to 50% of your salary. Move it directly to a saving account on the day you pay. Make sure your spending does not increase at the same rate as your earnings.
- Buy less but better-and second hand. Focus on high quality things that will really bring you long -term joy and tool.
- Never save on experiences and teachings. Things that make you grow are always a good investment (including therapy and trips to the mountains).
- Be generous with the people and associations you love.
- Buy a house or apartment as soon as possible. Then you can either live in it (and invest your rent in something that will be yours for 20 years), or rent it and leave the mortgage to pay. It’s a big investment (unless you are really unhappy, or live in an unstable country), and if SH-T hits the fan, you will always have a place to live.
Where is your wristwatch?
I still carry the one I bought 15 years ago with my first student work. I heard that not fit my vintage Chanel Necklace, but I don’t care.
Needs
How do you fix your daily coffee?
Without capsules. I completely boycott nonspresso and Starbucks. But I am a fan of all the ethical brands for coffee. Those who actually pay for farmers behind coffee beans. I get my from the cafe circle in Berlin. I have a very simple machine for Bialetti Moka at home, and we have a proper Delonghi Dedica Arte espresso machine in the office (second hand, of course), with milk foam for our daily doses of oatmeal cappuccino. Very Berlin start vibration.
“Never save experiences and teachings. The things that make you grow are always a good investment.”
What about eating on the go?
I go out every day, usually with some team members or investors. Berlin offers amazing lunch options for 5 to 12 euros, and as I hate to cook, I see no reason not to eat outside. I usually go to the gym, falafel, Italian pizza or droughts. I don’t need fancy expensive food, just quality ingredients and good vegetarian options to be happy.
Where do you buy groceries?
On the local market of organic farmers, on Saturday morning.
How often do you have dinner in a week against cooking at home?
Used to be 4-5 days meal out for dinner but now we have Hellofresh that delivers great healthy recipes at home. So we cook more.
Where do you buy for your work wardrobe?
I buy most of my second -hand wardrobe and just things I need, so I buy on resale platforms (mainly Ferkado) and find unique pieces that way. I wear a second -hand Celine, May, Comes Des Garcons, Chloe, Sesane, Samsey Samsey, Acne Studio, etc. The fabric is the most important thing: I almost wear wool and cotton.
When I buy new things (rarely), it would be to support the small design labels of fair fashion, ideally produced in Europe.
What would be a typical work clothing for you?
Sailor Blue T -shirt, wide jeans, chlorine/Birkenstock Boston boots.
Are you a proud owner of any futuristic gadgets?
No. I think most gadgets useless. The only futuristic thing I bought was my nuroad gravel bike, in smokylilac’n’black. But I would say it’s more than a work of art. Very nice and useful work of art.
Treatments
How do you develop from the top job?
My weekly therapy, magazine, good rock, yoga hour, drawing hour, dinner with my partner and/or friends.
“I think most gadgets useless.”
How do you treat yourself when you get a promotion?
I try not to buy things for that. If I have something to celebrate, I do things that bring me joy: Go dancing with my friends, go to eating in a nice restaurant, going to a concert or festival.
How many days of vacation do you have a year?
I don’t know. I’m never completely out and traveling pretty much for work, so it’s hard to say.
I spent a month in Rwanda (traveling through national parks and worked from the incredible Kigali Norsen house) to escape Berlin’s gray this winter. What hit me was that people here look much happier from home. Great reminder of what we really need: water, little food, roof, strong communities, lots of dancing, singing and laughter and a well -preserved environment. It seems to be the best recipe for happiness.
Here, in good life, you no longer have to imagine what life on top looks like: get inspiration in real life on how the most successful life live.
Fortune wants to hear from business leaders about what their “good life” looks like. Contact: emma.burleigh@fortune.com
This story was originally shown on Fortune.com
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