Joe Taylor
Founder, Real Handful, on Spin Doctors, Summer Hours and dad dancing
What was your first-ever job? Potwasher in a Greene King pub. It wasn’t too bad as the chefs had some fantastic banter.
What’s been your worst job interview? I bombed my first interview with Innocent. Coming from the world of technology at IBM I had an awful lot to learn - I felt very lucky to get invited back in!
What was the first music single you bought? Spin Doctors - Two Princes.
How do you describe your job to your mates? I don’t consider myself as having a defined ‘job’ any more. In a start-up you get involved in all areas and I’m naturally curious so love the opportunity to learn about everything.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Listening and learning from suppliers, customers and consumers, applying what we’ve learnt, and seeing the Real Handful proposition evolving into something even better.
What is the least rewarding part? Boxing up stock for sample requests!
What is your motto in life? If you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? We had Summer Hours at Kellogg’s so if you’d put in the time during the week you could leave after midday on a Friday - it was amazing for morale and motivation. Definitely something I’ll be putting in place here.
Do you have any phobias? Spiders, heights and shorting customers.
If you could change one thing in grocery what would it be? More face time dedicated on both sides - from suppliers and trading teams - to working together to help solve problems and create opportunities.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? An iPad full of photos and music so I can remember my loved ones and work on my dad dancing in peace.
What animal most reflects your personality? A dog! My dad has always said I have dogged persistence - I think it’s the only reason I managed to complete an Ironman triathlon.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? When my headteacher dragged me up for a telling-off in front of the whole school. Turns out it was an April Fool - I didn’t find it very funny at the time.
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