Where did you get the idea for Privalia?
We had heard that there was a private-sales business model that worked quite well in other European countries, so we decided to try it in Spain. We never thought the business would go as far as it has in terms of our sales, our international presence and our team.
How are you handling the pressure of success?
Success is relative. The project has been successful thanks to all the people who have helped throughout the process. Now we’re continuing to work hard, trying not to forget where we came from, and realising that we still have a long way to go. The most important thing is not to lose your humility.
Why doesn’t Privalia have any offices?
Because we want everyone to be able to communicate with everyone else, to be close to one another in an open space. We don’t want to create classes, because there aren’t any. Even I don’t have an office. My desk is just like anyone else’s here at Privalia.
What’s the work culture like at Privalia?
There’s a cliché you learn at business school – and it’s true – that the team is the most important thing of all. Today’s reality is so complex that, if you want to progress, you have to surround yourself with people who are better than you. At Privalia, we firmly believe in values such as honesty, boldness, meritocracy and embracing change.
Are entrepreneurs born, or are they made?
I’m sure there are exceptions, but I think that much of the entrepreneur is made. There are key moments in life when you make decisions that mark you and determine your path. If I look back, I can think of five or six decisions that have really marked me. Studying at ESADE was one of them. If I had studied something else, I’m sure we wouldn’t be here today. We’d be somewhere else. Better or worse, I can’t say. Different.
What message do you have for entrepreneurs who are starting out?
First of all, I would congratulate them, because in today’s economy I think you have to be an entrepreneur. I would remind them that it’s not an easy journey, but that it’s worthwhile to fight for what you believe. I would also tell them not to be stopped by obstacles that appear in their path. And that they should surround themselves with a good team, because they won’t get very far without it.
If you have political clout, what would you do to help entrepreneurs in this country?
I would take steps that would have an immediate impact: simplifying the administrative procedures required to set up a company, making it easier to get a loan to start a business, creating tax policies that encourage new entrepreneurs to create jobs, and making the labour market more flexible so that people are willing to take risks. In the long term, I would promote entrepreneurship as part of the political culture.
In difficult times, do you ever think about throwing in the towel?
There have been tough times, but we’ve never grown discouraged. We’ve always been very clear about where we wanted to go and how we wanted to get there. We have a rather realistic perspective on business and on life. We knew there would be difficult times; in fact, we counted on it.
Is Privalia involved in social responsibility?
Last summer, I worked in the Congo with an Italian NGO called AMKA. We’ve been collaborating with them for the past three years. One of our values as a company is that responsibility helps make a better world for everyone. Every year, we hold charity campaigns and give the proceeds to different organisations. With Acciónatura, we’ve planted more than 10,000 trees as part of an effort to preserve a forest in Peru. We’ve also collaborated on disaster relief projects in Haiti and Japan.
In your opinion, is being an entrepreneur the same thing as being a business owner?
There are business owners who have never needed to be entrepreneurs, but an entrepreneur can end up becoming an owner as his business grows. Still, I have many entrepreneur friends who do not consider themselves business owners, since what they do is launch a business and, once it’s working, start on a new project. That’s the true entrepreneurial spirit.
