Onur Kece Of Found Bubbly: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A CEO
FAIL. It’s the best way to learn. We have had some expensive lessons along the way, but those not only built the company to be stronger in terms of the business model, but also made our team stronger, because times of need and distress bring out the best in people.
As a part of our series called ‘Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became A CEO’ we had the pleasure of interviewing Onur Kece.
Found Bubbly CEO and co-founder Onur Kece started off his career in advertising creative, before making the switch to creating brands. He has been internationally recognized in the fields of entrepreneurship, creative advertising, product design, and architecture. Along with Found Bubbly, he is the founding partner of creative studio and brand accelerator The Refreshment Club. When he is not working, he’s likely to be found cooking Thai food or chasing after his daughters.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I’ll back it up a bit, to start! Being from Turkish origin, I had always been told by my parents to eat pomegranates when I was sick. Along the way, I discovered that the antioxidants in pomegranates were potentially very effective for curing cancer — which became especially useful when I was working in advertising (many moons ago!) and my friend was diagnosed with Testicular cancer. I suggested that my friend include pomegranate juice as a part of his daily diet, but we soon realized that pomegranate juice didn’t exist in Australia. Thus, Found was born — initially as a pomegranate drink brand. Through our pomegranate adventure, we discovered our planet’s alchemy — naturally mineral rich water — and the brand evolved into Found Bubbly.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
Every day is interesting as an entrepreneur — that’s the true excitement of it. Over the last 15 years Found has taken us all over the world and allowed us to create bonds with very interesting people. I also met my wife on a business trip.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We made a huge investment into a production line, especially a capping machine, then had our biggest filling to date at that point: 100,000 bottles. By the time the products arrived in Turkey, every bottle had gone off and blown up. We quickly worked out that we didn’t test the caps as we were in such a rush to get the product out. That was a very costly mistake, and a great lesson. Rushing is often the worst idea.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Mark, the co-founder of Found Bubbly, and I have been working on the brand for the last 15 years together. Friendship and respect for what each other does has ensured longevity for the Found brand. I believe you should always surround yourself with those who empower you and are supportive during times of vulnerability.
As you know, the United States is currently facing a very important self-reckoning about race, diversity, equality and inclusion. This may be obvious to you, but it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you articulate to our readers a few reasons why it is so important for a business or organization to have a diverse executive team?
At Found Bubbly, diversity is a prerequisite, as diversity means broader knowledge, a broader vision, and a broader understanding. Only with a greater perspective can we be a greater brand.
As a business leader, can you please share a few steps we must take to truly create an inclusive, representative, and equitable society? Kindly share a story or example for each.
Talking less and listening more.
Everyone has different ideals and opinions. Rather than instantly opposing them, we must take the time to understand them. Then we must accept that we may not all agree on the same thing, but that doesn’t mean we have to disagree.
My grandfather always used to say one language = one person, meaning if you speak two languages you are two people. By understanding more opinions and perspectives we can all be bigger people and play a greater role in our society.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Most of our readers — in fact, most people — think they have a pretty good idea of what a CEO or executive does. But in just a few words can you explain what an executive does that is different from the responsibilities of the other leaders?
I see my role in the company as guiding the brand to a point where it can be the most relevant to our customers and the most different from our competitors. I believe great brands are built by creating strong bonds and strong moats.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a CEO or executive. Can you explain what you mean?
Myth: a CEO makes or breaks a company. I’ve heard this a couple of times, and couldn’t disagree more. I believe a great CEO should have a strong vision for the brand. However, it’s the people who have the power to make or break a company, from customers to employees.
Ultimately it is the consumer who will decide the fate of a company. Each employee plays a key role in helping the customer pick your brand.
What is the most striking difference between your actual job and how you thought the job would be?
Fifteen years into my role as a founder and CEO, every day is still new. Maybe I thought it would be more routine at some point.
Do you think everyone is cut out to be an executive? In your opinion, which specific traits increase the likelihood that a person will be a successful executive and what type of person should avoid aspiring to be an executive? Can you explain what you mean?
Everyone is different, so I cannot generalize on that. I would say rather than aspiring to be an executive, one should focus on being great at whatever it is they do — that would probably be an easier path to getting there.
What advice would you give to other business leaders to help create a fantastic work culture? Can you share a story or an example?
Don’t take it too seriously; stress is the worst thing you can bring to work. It is also very contagious. This is easier said than done.
Something that always stays in the back of my mind is a meme I saw on Instagram — “99% of the things you worry about won’t happen.”
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
You’ll have to ask the world that.
Fantastic. Here is the primary question of our interview. What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
- FAIL. It’s the best way to learn. We have had some expensive lessons along the way, but those not only built the company to be stronger in terms of the business model, but also made our team stronger, because times of need and distress bring out the best in people.
- Don’t Rush. The result will never be as good as it can be, and when you think about the lifespan of a company, a few months here and there won’t make a difference (at the time it won’t feel like this). Ideas can pop up quickly but the execution should be perfect.
- Be a sponge. Ask great people to be your mentors — people who inspire you, people who you look up to. Get on LinkedIn and message that person today to let them know their opinion is important to you and you’d like to connect with them. I never thought some people I reached out to would ever write back, but you’d be surprised if you are genuine how many people are willing to help.
- “You hire people on their CV & fire them on their personality.” One of my mentors told me this. Building a team can be really difficult, especially with the way we are accustomed to recruiting. Since hearing these wise words, my main focus has been to connect with people who will suit the culture of our company and who share the same views as us on key pillars of our brand like sustainability and transparency. You can teach people how to do the job but you can’t change them.
- You’re a salesman. As a founder or CEO, you’re a salesman. You’re always selling an idea, a reason why you need to be ahead on the production line, an image, a direction, a vision. I recommend reading Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Happiness is contagious. Maybe if we all smiled at each person we walked past everyday, it would make the world a happier place.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
When my father was teaching me to drive, he knew I would probably like to go fast as a 16-year-old boy. He told me that when you’re with your friends and want to put your foot down on the pedal, do it when you’re going up a hill, so when you take your foot off you will slow down.
I often think of this as an important lesson in taking calculated risks. As any CEO or founder can understand, making snap decisions is a part of the job.
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
TWO.
Firstly, I would love to soak up more of the perspective and words of Sir Richard Branson. Since reading his book Losing my Virginity, his story has inspired my journey. One thing I always have in my back pocket is a quote from him: “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to.” It’s so powerful, I try to apply it in my life and relationships. I’d also like to know what he eats for breakfast every day.
Secondly, Nirmal Purja.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
