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Mark Vadon
Retired Entrepreneur
Mark Vadon is a retired entrepreneur with an extensive background in founding and leading successful companies. He is currently based in Seattle, Washington.1
Career Highlights
Mark Vadon has held several significant positions throughout his career:
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Founder and CEO of Blue Nile: He founded the online jewelry retailer Blue Nile in February 1999 and served as its CEO until February 2008.1
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Co-founder and Chairman of Zulily: In October 2009, Vadon co-founded Zulily, an e-commerce company focused on flash sales, and served as its chairman until September 2015.12
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Chairman of Chewy: From August 2014 to June 2017, he was the chairman of Chewy, the online pet supplies retailer.1
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Board Member: Vadon has served on the boards of several prominent companies, including The Home Depot (2012-2019), Qurate Retail Group (2015-2022), and currently serves on the boards of Flyhomes, Athletic Greens, and Rad Power Bikes.1
Education
Mark Vadon has a strong educational background:
- Bachelor's degree in Social Studies from Harvard College (1988-1992)1
- MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business (1995-1997)1
Recent Activities
As of January 2023, Mark Vadon has transitioned into retirement.1 He has mentioned that he is "happily retired" and not looking to build new businesses, focusing instead on his family life with four daughters.2
Entrepreneurial Legacy
Vadon is known for his ability to identify talent and build successful teams. Many former employees from his companies, particularly Zulily, have gone on to found their own startups or take leadership roles in early-stage companies in the Seattle area.2
Mark Vadon's career demonstrates a pattern of successful entrepreneurship, particularly in the e-commerce sector, and his impact on the Seattle tech ecosystem continues through the success of his former employees and the companies he has helped build.
