Jorn Werdelin is the Co-Founder of Linde Werdelin.

1. Describe briefly your childhood.

- I grew up outside Copenhagen in the 70/80ies. Morten (Linde) and I became friends when we started primary school in 1970. I grew up with my two younger siblings. School was more about political education than academic education but I guess it was the 70ies. Seeing the first digital quartz watches in my father’s shops. Much more snow than now - it was cold waiting for the bus in the morning.

2. As a child did you have any driving ambition?

- Honestly no, I wish I had though :)

3. What is your first significant memory as a child?

- Wanting and getting a pair of red skis and ski boots (Raichle)

4. Have you ever had another profession?

- I worked in investment banking for about 10 years

5. What made you decide to go in the direction you are currently in?

- I think it’s in my DNA. My father, grand parents, and great grandfather were all in the watch and jewellery industry.

6. What’s the worst job you’ve had to do?

- Taking over a friend's newspaper route in February when I was 12 years old; waking up at 5am and bicycling through the snow in the dark.

7. What’s been the hardest moment in your life so far, and how did you overcome it?

- There have been quite a few - personal and professional. I think acceptance of a revised situation is the answer for many problems

8. Who has had the strongest influence on you?

- No person in particular. I read a lot and take away a lot of reflections and learnings from that.

9. What are you most proud of?

- Always trying to find new solutions to (im)possible problems; and of course my children

10. What advice would you give to a 20 something someone thinking of taking a similar path as you?

- It is a cliche - BUT you really only have one short life so live it well.

11. Name three things on your bucket list.

- Visit the Himalayas

- Becoming mentally balanced

- Skiing in Japan next winter season

12. Where do you think the industry is going to be in 10 years time.

- That is an impossible one to answer at this unprecedented time of uncertainty. However, it feels like the industry is going towards an end of cycle and the beginning of a new cycle to start within the next three to five years so we might be at a new high point for creativity and positiveness in 10 years.

To learn more about Jorn Werdelin