Name: Peter Oden
Job title: Managing director
Company: Holy Moly
What was your first job? A paper round from when I was 12 to 18. I loved it: cold mornings, my Walkman on full blast, no cars on the roads and the freedom to bunnyhop off kerbs to my heart’s content.
What’s been your worst job interview? About four years ago for a gut health dairy business. I was told it was a cultural chat, but was bombarded with category-specific questions (to which I did not have the answers). I was then told we would go for a walk and visit a store. When we passed a tube station, the interviewer put her hand on my shoulder, shook her head slowly and said “this is not going to work, there’s the tube”. I laughed and thanked her for her time and honesty.
What was the first music single you bought? Purple Rain by Prince.
“Being good and adding value is my purpose in life”
How do you describe your job to your friends? They don’t ask, but if they did, I’d say, I am on a mission to make Holy Moly the number one avocado brand in the world.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Adding value (to the team, to the business, to our customers and to our consumers) and being good (as a human and at what I do). Being good and adding value is my purpose in life.
What is the least rewarding part? Not doing my expenses and letting Gina down… every month. I am really sorry Gina.
What is your motto in life? The secret to happiness is not having what you want, it is wanting what you have.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A chef at home.
Do you have any phobias? Fear of letting people down, hence the Gina comment.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? I often walk around stores and am astonished at how much space very sugary products get.
I think the system makes it too easy for people to make the wrong choice at shelf. So more effort in encouraging shoppers to buy healthier products.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? My home, garden and limitless amounts of energy, that would be heaven. If that is too much then the ability to listen to audiobooks.
What animal most reflects your personality? Team Holy Moly have said that I am like an emperor penguin (co-operative, non-territorial and resilient). I think I am like a beaver, always busy, always checking everything is OK and always building on what we have.
What’s your favourite film and why? Firstly, thanks for saying film not movie. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, it’s about a dad trying to do the best for his family, he puts himself on the line and fails at the small things, but succeeds at the big things.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? Forgetting my lines in the school play (I was playing Henry VIII) and watching my parents and brother squirm in the audience.
Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Seth Rogen. I think he is a great guy with a great outlook on life and is epic at what he does. To work on something like The Studio for him (as his runner/assistant) would be a dream.
What would your death row meal be? A chunk of parmesan and a sizeable glass of whiskey (Midleton) please.
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