1-on-1 with Veloyo’s Sebastian Kellner: the Bike Rebel
We believe that innovative professionals are the pioneers of the changing world. That’s why every week we go in-depth with one of our favorites and pick up some lessons about what it takes to be a professional rebel. This week we spoke to Sebastian Kellner, founder and CEO of Veloyo.
Sebastian, 30, is someone who knows innovation and entrepreneurialism inside and out. A former student and researcher in the field, he became an entrepreneur himself in 2013 when he started Veloyo, a mobile platform for bike services operating in four European cities. He spoke to Roald Tjon about what it means to be an entrepreneur.
How did you start Veloyo?
“I wasn’t really attached to cycling before. I was very automotive driven, and did internships in automotive supply companies and research with Tesla Motors at a very early stage.”
While studying in bike-friendly Copenhagen an idea came to Sebastian: “I was wondering one day when my bike broke down why the whole service experience wasn’t more up to date in today’s connected world, like the automotive industry. Why didn’t this fragmented market have a driver that brought in innovation and digital support for all individual retailers and mechanics?”
‘Then I went on a holiday in 2012 in the Norwegian woods with a good friend of mine who’s a developer. We started talking about it and we just decided, ‘Ok, let’s give it a try.’ We put a lot of thought into the service structure and processes to support the bike industry. A year and a half after that we started developing it and first launched in Hamburg, my hometown, and recently in Amsterdam, London and Berlin.”
What would you say is the difference between the study and practice of being an entrepreneur?
“With the study you really think about how you can build business models and create marketing strategies. Many people forget that there’s a lot of hustle before you can think about all this strategy stuff. In the end you have to think about how you survive the first year, and how you get your product to market. That’s something that is not taught that much.
The Lesson: Before the strategies and business models, there’s a lot of hustle.
What do you think makes someone an entrepreneur?
“Entrepreneurship does not have to be very creative, but has to be the willingness to effect fundamental change in economic sense. You also have to be willing to take the risk of uncertainty.”
Sebastian adds that to be an entrepreneur you have to choose to pursue it full-time: “I think many people like to think about it and dream about it but then seriously kicking it off, that’s something else. Many people say, ‘I’ll do it on the side.’ I personally see an entrepreneur at the point that they’re willing to take the risk, get rid of their job and really focus on this as their new job.”
‘It’s not a miracle, it’s not a dream, it’s not a side project. Because either you’re in it or you’re not, but it’s not something you can just do in between.”
The Lesson: To be an entrepreneur you have to go all in.
What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you knew six months ago?
Sebastian stresses the importance of the timely launch of a new product: “We have a German problem at Veloyo, we always want to exceed expectations with what we deliver. We could’ve gone out earlier and said, ‘Guys, we have built something really cool, there are a few bug fixes needed, but look at this.’ We’d rather fix the bugs and go out later. I think that’s something I learned the last half year.”
The Lesson: Timing is often more important than perfection.
Is there something people would be surprised to know about you?
“I really love to cook and I have many friends that work a lot. We don’t see each other that often, but when we get together we cook for five hours, eat and drink. We start by chopping vegetables, having a glass of wine and getting into discussions. So time really flies. This is something that doesn’t really fit with being an entrepreneur, but you have to take that time.”
The Lesson: Take the time to unwind.
Would you consider yourself a professional rebel?
“Yes, because we’re rebelling in an industry but we’re doing it professionally. We do something with a system. I think everything that we do should be measurable, should be thought through and should work towards a goal.”
What keeps you up at night?
“I’m actually a good sleeper, but of course I often think about what I did right and how I can support my team. I have expectations of myself that I’ll support them the best way possible.”
Any tips to other rebels out there?
“Go out and talk to people whose comments you really appreciate. Reflecting and discussing your perspective and idea are fundamental.”
‘At the same time you should not only hang out and meet people. In the end, it’s also just hard work. It’s the right balance between knowing your network and doing favors for others, while still focusing. That’s something you have to learn over the course of time.”
The Lesson: Speaking about your idea is important, but remember to work hard as well.
