Sebastian Siemiatkowski is a European businessman and entrepreneur who currently serves as the CEO of Klarna. He has an impressive professional track record for achieving success in his business endeavors. Mr. Siemiatkowski serves as a role model and inspiration for young entrepreneurs who have a good idea, and wonder how one goes about becoming successful in the business world. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Sebastian Siemiatkowski that might inspire you to achieve your business aspirations.
1. He is the co-founder of Klarna
In addition to leading the company as the chief executive officer, Sebastian is also the co-founder of the company. He has been involved in governance as an advisor on the board since the company was launched in 2005. Mr. Siemiatkowski has spent the past several years leading the online payment provider into a profitable and successful decade and a half in the financial industry, according to Crunchbase.
2. His business has expanded internationally
Under the leadership of Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Klarna has grown rapidly throughout Europe. The more recent expansion has included North America. Klarna was a financial startup that facilitated safe and seamless online payments. The company has received accreditation as a fully licensed bank. Klarna has a consumer base of 60 million with a merchant user base of 170,000.
3. Siemiatkowski is an award-winning leader
Sebastian has received a great deal of praise and recognition for his contributions to the success of Klarna. He was awarded the European Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Tech Tour. Adecco named him Leader of the Year, and he has also been named as the 2015 global EY Entrepreneur of the Year award runner up.
4. He is 39 years old
Sebastian was born in the country of Sweden in 1981. As of 2020, he turned 39 years old. He has achieved remarkable success before even reaching the age of 40. Mr. Siemiatkowski was only 23 years of age when he co-founded and launched the Klarna company. He had an early start in the financial arena as a professional and business owner, according to the Klarna official website.
5. Sebastian didn’t start as the CEO of Klarna
Although Sebastian Siemiatkowski was the co-founder and part-owner of Klarna, he didn’t assume the role of chief executive officer of the company until five years after it was established. He became a member of the board in 2005. He accepted the post of chief executive officer in 2010. He has spent the past decade leading Klarna from one successful venture to another.
6. He was educated in Sweden
Mr. Siemiatkowski attended school in his native country of Sweden. After completing his high school requirements, he entered the Stockholm School of Economics. He studied Economics and Business to get a firm grasp on the principles of business as well as how the economy operated in the larger world around him. He continued his education until achieving an advanced degree in these two disciplines. He graduated in 2007 with a Master of Science degree in Business and Economics.
7. Klarna is only his second job
Sebastian did not have a long and illustrious career behind him before he went in with a partner to launch Klarna. His work experience previous to Klarna includes 8 years of employment at Djuice Uppsala. At this company, he served as a sales manager where he learned a great deal about working with the public. This position was merely a stepping stone to help him gain experience to take the next step in his career. After launching Klarna Bank, Sebastian spent five years learning about the business and the various aspects of leadership. He completed his Master of Science degree while he was serving on the board of Klarna. He completed his degree three years before he was appointed as the CEO. Being the co-founder of the business didn’t automatically qualify him for the leadership position. This was something that he worked hard to prepare for. He completed the necessary training that would give him the skills and knowledge to successfully lead the organization.
8. He’s mastered the power of persuasion
According to Elle, Sebastian has an incredible gift of persuasion. This is in part what has helped him to become so very successful in business. Klarna started as a payment system based on a buy now, pay later service. He has helped it to grow massively. To do so, he was required to persuade over 205,000 fee-paying retailers to sign up with his company to help consumers enjoy a seamless and flexible payment option for purchasing online goods.
9. His company is at unicorn status
Sebastian Siemiatkowski has achieved a mark of success that has put him at the top in his niche. Klarna is a startup that has surpassed the billion-dollar figure in valuation. According to Elle, Klarna is currently worth approximately $5 billion. This staggering number makes Mr. Siemiatkowski a very wealthy man.
10. He takes care of his employees
There is nothing even remotely uptight about Sebastian Siemiatkowski. He is a leader who understands that his employees are human beings with lives and family responsibilities outside of work. In a recent interview by Elle Magazine, the reporter commented that it was commonplace for an employee to go about their work wearing an occupied baby sling. Sebastian also has children of his own. On the day that he scheduled an interview, he arrived late because one of his kids was sick. Siemiatkowski understands the value and responsibilities that go along with having a family. It’s heartwarming that he has a relaxed attitude towards employees who may need to bring a child in with them on occasion. Sebastian is a leader who doesn’t sweat the small stuff. His leadership style is working very well for Klarna because it has surged in growth and has expanded throughout Europe and other parts of the world in a short time.
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