Brent Hadfield
Director and co-founder, CaféPod, on snakes, school and Speedos
What was your first-ever job? When I was 10 years old, during the school holidays, I used to go around my local neighbourhood (which was in Johannesburg, South Africa), door-to-door asking anyone who was home if I could wash their car. I used to charge 10 rand for a car wash, which is the equivalent of about 60p today.
What’s been your worst job interview? It wasn’t actually a job interview, but an interview for a boarding school when I was 12 years old. The principal asked me why I wanted to attend his school. My answer was: “Because if I don’t like the school I only live 20 minutes away and my parents could come and collect me.” That wasn’t the right answer!
How do you describe your job to your mates? Every day is a school day. The reason I say this is the learning curve has been exceptionally steep in a new category which is continuously changing. From being the tea boy one day to director the next, it’s an amazingly interesting journey!
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Watching the company grow and really start to come into itself - which is a combination of all the people at CaféPod and the company culture we’ve created.
What is the least rewarding part? Admin.
What would be your dream perk? A company jet would be cool!
Do you have any phobias? Snakes. Luckily we don’t have many of them in the UK!
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? A decrease in category buyer rotation.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? My wife and baby girl.
What animal most reflects your personality? A dog - they’re loyal, friendly, and just awesome!
What’s your favourite film and why? The original Indiana Jones trilogy, as it was all about the excitement and the adventure - a bit like running a start-up but with the additional sensation that at times you are going on a roller-coaster in reverse!
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? When I was 17, I was in a school play where I needed to make an on-stage appearance in nothing but a pair of Speedos in front of about 1,000 people.
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