“A strong community forms around sincerity and purpose”: 10 lessons from Benny Mandos, Founder and CEO of GOT BAG
Discover 10 valuable e-commerce lessons from Benny Mandos, Founder and CEO of GOT BAG, as he shares his insights on the future of online retail to mark the 10th anniversary of the E-commerce Berlin Expo. [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SERIES]
The E-commerce Berlin Expo celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2026. To mark this milestone, we interviewed some of the world’s most influential leaders about the future of online retail, asking them to share their 10 valuable lessons in e-commerce. Their insights were featured in our special album, showcasing the most powerful voices in online retail, which we decided to share with you on E-commerce Germany News.
This time, we’re featuring an exclusive interview with Benny Mandos, Founder and CEO of GOT BAG. See what e-commerce lessons he shared with us below!
Failures appear to teach us something
What first drew you to this industry?
BENNY: What initially attracted me to e-commerce was the incredible sense of liberation it offered – a marketplace where you can reach a vast audience quickly and efficiently. It also provided the perfect platform to transform a real-world problem – plastic pollution – into a tangible product and brand. E-commerce gave us an opportunity to connect that mission with people at scale, which felt both exciting and meaningful.
Which early failure taught you something that still guides you today?
BENNY: I don’t see failures as failures; I believe they’re moments of resistance that appear to teach us something, and real progress comes from accepting those lessons so we can learn and grow.
When you think of the past decade of e-commerce, what do you miss – and what are you glad we left behind?
BENNY: I don’t miss the era when low-quality dropshipping products and simple influencer campaigns were enough to succeed. Back then, it was often sufficient to run paid ads or partner with influencers, regardless of product quality. Today, the industry demands real excellence – thoughtful marketing, holistic customer journeys, and brands that deliver genuine value. This evolution is positive for both the industry and consumers.
Our values – pacifism, environmental protection, and a clear stance on how we want to contribute to the world – are non-negotiable. Trends shift, public interest changes, but our mission remains constant.
What is the single most important business lesson you have learned throughout your career?
BENNY: The biggest lesson is the importance of investing in oneself. Understanding how your own mind works – how to lead yourself – is the foundation for leading teams and companies. An entrepreneurial journey is full of shifting roles and constant adaptation, which makes continuous learning and personal development absolutely essential.
How would you define success in e-commerce today, and how has your view of it changed over time?
BENNY: In the beginning, success meant selling the first products and reaching initial revenue goals. Today, success is defined by building a strong brand – one that stands for something meaningful, brings people together, and contributes positively to the world. A brand with values and impact means far more than short-term sales metrics.
Build with integrity
What do you see as the biggest opportunity in e-commerce today?
BENNY: The biggest opportunity lies in building strong, value-driven brands that create their own world – places where people feel a sense of identity and belonging. Community has become one of the most powerful differentiators in e-commerce.
A strong community forms around sincerity and purpose. If you build with integrity, everything else can grow from there.
What’s the most counterintuitive or unconventional thing your company does today that actually works?
BENNY: We run a very complex supply chain – from cleanups in Indonesia to the final product – something most e-commerce brands try to avoid. While many optimize for speed and efficiency, we intentionally embrace a mission-driven supply chain that reflects our values. The close collaboration with our partner foundation GOT BAG Indonesia, which leads the cleanup efforts on the ground, and our support for ocean protection organizations are not just operations – they are central to the authenticity and life of our brand.
What guiding principle do you personally refuse to compromise on, no matter the trend or pressure?
BENNY: Integrity of purpose. Our values – pacifism, environmental protection, and a clear stance on how we want to contribute to the world – are non-negotiable. Trends shift, public interest changes, but our mission remains constant. We will not compromise on why we exist or what we stand for.
Looking ahead, what will define the next decade of e-commerce, and how does thinking about the future make you feel?
BENNY: Artificial intelligence will be one of the most transformative forces in e-commerce. It will reshape organizations, enhance customer journeys, revolutionize advertising, and unlock massive efficiency. I feel optimistic about this future – it will give people more freedom to work creatively while driving meaningful progress across the industry.
If you could leave a message for future e-commerce leaders, what would it be?
BENNY: Focus from day one on building a mission and a world worth believing in. Create something authentic – something that reflects who you are and what you want to contribute to the world. A strong community forms around sincerity and purpose. If you build with integrity, everything else can grow from there.
BENNY MANDOS’S BIO
Benny Mandos began his career as a cameraman, later building a film production company and a communications agency, but the real foundation of his journey was laid much earlier-through countless days spent sailing with his father, developing a lifelong bond with the ocean. His work filming documentaries around the world deepened that connection and sparked a desire to protect what inspired him. With GOT BAG, he entered his second professional life, uniting his love for people and our Planet with an entrepreneurial mission to create something meaningful.
