In Conversation with Ruben Petit

Tell us about your background:

Grew up in Amsterdam, but lived quite internationally my whole life. Attended a international boarding school in Wales (yes, it looked like Hogwarts) with 300 students from over 95 nationalities. This experience laid the foundation of my ambition to let my professional career have net positive impact on the world.
Fashion was not per se an obvious career choice for me, with an economics background and having interned in plant based protein and asset management. However, it was the industry that kept me thinking of how I could help overcome some of the industry's most pressing challenges. How do teach consumers to make more responsible decisions, how do you convince brands to choose better materials and ask for a transparent supply chain? And how do you get manufacturers to be more involved in the supply chain so they can share their knowledge for making more durable garments, for example.

After 2,5 years with Manufy, helping near shoring become a reality in Europe for brands. I am excited to explore the opportunities in recommerce, resale and digital ID in NYC. These segments are in my opinion the key drivers of behavioral change with a positive environmental impact in the fashion Industry.

What do you wish you’d known when you started out?

That brands did not earn anything from resale all these years.

Best career advice you've ever received?

Looking across industries for solutions that have never been associated with a problem you might have. They are much more relevant than you think.

What leadership qualities are important to you?

Energetic, organised, inspirational, firm decision-making.

What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?

Being on the brink of bankruptcy and helping the company out of it, it got me to question my dedication to the cause and company, but it was even more solidified because of it.

And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?

Baskets crew neck

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruben-petit-589316b9/

Website: www.manufy.com

Instagram: @rubenpetitos