Samy Liechti is a Swiss entrepreneur and pioneer in the field of e-commerce.
In 1999, he founded the company BLACKSOCKS, the first in the world to offer an online subscription service for black men’s socks. He is regarded as a pioneer, inspirer, and visionary, as well as a veteran of digitalization and a master of understanding customer needs. With his innovative business model, he revolutionized the way everyday clothing is purchased and coined the term “Sockscription.”
Liechti studied business administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and gained experience at renowned marketing agencies before founding BLACKSOCKS.
As a speaker, Samy Liechti shares valuable insights from over two decades of entrepreneurship. He addresses topics such as digital business models, customer retention, customer centricity and the importance of quality and sustainability in production. His practical insights and entrepreneurial vision make him an inspiring speaker for events focused on innovation, e-commerce, and entrepreneurship.
Samy Liechti’s Keynote Topics
- From Idea to Exit: The Journey to a Successful Business Sale
In this talk, Samy Liechti shares his entrepreneurial success story, from the initial steps with a simple yet clever idea to a successful business exit. He offers personal experiences on overcoming challenges, persistence, and key strategies that turned his company into an international success.
- From Product Idea to Global Brand: 250,000 Customers, 120 Countries – and the Art of Listening
Customer Centricity: How can you identify a latent need before others do? Samy Liechti explains how he understood his customers’ needs, experimented, optimized, and ultimately scaled his business using marketing automation.
- The Hurdles of a Pioneer: Succeeding Without a Blueprint
What do you do when there’s no guidebook for your journey? In this talk, Samy Liechti shares his experiences as a pioneer who had no role models and became one himself. He discusses courage, learning from mistakes, and the value of failure – and why being the first to explore new paths is worthwhile. This inspiring talk is a call to embrace innovation and entrepreneurial curiosity.
- Digitalisation with the customer at the centre: How creativity and technology serve the customer
Digitalization does not necessarily require large budgets or high-tech solutions. Samy Liechti explains how even small-scale, creative approaches can successfully digitize processes, keeping customers happy while ensuring financial sustainability. This practical talk is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to approach digitalization pragmatically, effectively, and profitably.
Samy Liechti was the first recipient of the “Digital Lifetime Award” from the IAB – Interactive Advertising Bureau Switzerland. He serves as the jury president for the Swiss Digital Economy Award and is a jury member for Best of Swiss Web.
In his speeches, Samy Liechti combines visionary ideas with tangible, practical experiences. With his blend of pioneering spirit and entrepreneurial foresight, he effectively inspires audiences, leaving them with long-lasting impulses for innovation and growth.