Julie Wainwright's Leadership Journey From Petscom to The RealReal and Beyond

Julie Wainwright is a rare example of a leader who has taken two companies public, yet her memoir, Time to Get Real, goes beyond success stories to reveal the messy realities of leadership. She candidly discusses her early career, including her time at Berkeley Systems and Reel.com, where she demonstrated strong growth and leadership in a male-dominated tech industry.

Her first major setback came with the collapse of Pets.com during the 2000 dot-com bubble burst. Despite the company’s memorable branding and IPO, the shutdown was a professional and personal blow, coinciding with her divorce and intense negative media scrutiny. This period marked a difficult chapter, as she was often only considered for turnaround roles at struggling companies.

Wainwright’s resilience led to a remarkable second act with the founding of The RealReal in 2010, pioneering the luxury consignment market online. Starting from her home, the company grew rapidly, processing hundreds of thousands of luxury items monthly and going public in 2019. However, her leadership journey faced another challenge when she was abruptly ousted by board members in 2022, a candid episode she openly discusses.

What sets Wainwright’s memoir apart is her honesty about leadership mistakes and practical lessons. She shares insights on managing teams, evaluating executives, and navigating power dynamics, offering founders a realistic guide rather than idealized success stories.

Continuing her entrepreneurial journey, Wainwright is now focused on Ahara, a nutrition company leveraging genetics for personalized dietary recommendations, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership.

Wainwright’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership involves navigating setbacks, embracing transparency, and learning from mistakes. Her memoir offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs and leaders striving to build resilient, innovative companies in challenging environments.