I’ve never followed the beaten path. Based on a customer insight, I founded a company that became a pioneer in Direct-to-Consumer and Subscription Commerce. As an early founder in the digital age, I’m often regarded as a startup and e-commerce or even digital pioneer in Switzerland. Over the past 25 years, in various roles – founder, advisor, board member, mentor – I’ve been obsessed with one thing: rethinking business models through the lens of digitalization. My credo: Start with the customer, rethink the business model, leverage technology, make money doing it. My entrepreneur background is helping me to have a holistic view on a company and generating value is key.

Samy Liechti

I’ve never followed the beaten path. Based on a customer insight, I founded a company that became a pioneer in Direct-to-Consumer and Subscription Commerce. As an early founder in the digital age, I’m often regarded as a startup and e-commerce or even digital pioneer in Switzerland. Over the past 25 years, in various roles – founder, advisor, board member, mentor – I’ve been obsessed with one thing: rethinking business models through the lens of digitalization. My credo: Start with the customer, rethink the business model, leverage technology, make money doing it. My entrepreneur background is helping me to have a holistic view on a company and generating value is key.

Available to hire

I’ve never followed the beaten path. Based on a customer insight, I founded a company that became a pioneer in Direct-to-Consumer and Subscription Commerce. As an early founder in the digital age, I’m often regarded as a startup and e-commerce or even digital pioneer in Switzerland.

Over the past 25 years, in various roles – founder, advisor, board member, mentor – I’ve been obsessed with one thing: rethinking business models through the lens of digitalization. My credo: Start with the customer, rethink the business model, leverage technology, make money doing it. My entrepreneur background is helping me to have a holistic view on a company and generating value is key.

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Experience Level

Expert
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate

Language

German
Fluent
French
Advanced
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Senior Advisor & Expert at Samy Liechti LLC
January 1, 2024 - Present
Developing a new strategy with an innovative business model and supporting its implementation. Working on the digital platform iMpuls.ch (Migros & medBase). Senior advisory work at Bombyx (textile funds) and various digital mandates for clients (ebipharm, Bio-Strath, Risch Shoes, Daysaver, …).
Independent Board Member at Swiss at Work
January 1, 2024 - Present
Voluntary board governance and oversight with a focus on digital and operational strategy.
President, CEO & Founder at BLACKSOCKS SA
December 31, 2023 - October 12, 2025
Led growth, strategy and operations for a Swiss e-commerce pioneer, overseeing a direct-to-consumer and digital commerce model with multi-market responsibilities.
President at BSX Holding
December 31, 2018 - October 12, 2025
Portfolio leadership, strategic development and governance across the holding group and subsidiaries.
President at Brandlab AG
December 31, 2018 - October 12, 2025
Overseeing brand strategy and digital initiatives; agency leadership and client delivery.
Co Founder at Blacksocks.ch
January 1, 1999 - Present
Co-founded an early-stage e-commerce side project.
Member of the management board at Wirz - BBDO, Zürich
December 31, 2000 - October 12, 2025
Led communications for Swisscom & Day Interactive IPOs; Bluewin.
Strategic Planner at Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, London
December 31, 1998 - October 12, 2025
Strategic planning for launches including Charles Schwab Europe.
Head of Unit at Jäggi Burson - Marsteller, Bern
December 31, 1997 - October 12, 2025
Head of unit; responsible for Swiss Stock Exchange client work.
Member of the management board at Matter Leo Burnett, Zürich
December 31, 1997 - October 12, 2025
In charge for McDonald's; management board responsibilities.
Intern at Tourist of St. Moritz, St. Moritz
December 31, 1992 - October 12, 2025
Internship in PR and Sport Events.
Senior Advisor & Expert at Samy Liechti LLC
January 1, 2024 - Present
Developing a new strategy with an innovative business model and supporting its implementation for the digital platform iMpuls.ch (Migros & medBase). Also providing advisory work for Bombyx and other digital projects (ebipharm, Bio-Strath, Risch Shoes, Daysaver, …).
Senior Advisor at Bombyx
January 1, 2024 - Present
Senior Advisor at Bombyx (funds in the textile industry).
President, CEO & Founder at BLACKSOCKS SA
December 31, 2023 - October 12, 2025
Founded and led Blacksocks SA, driving strategic direction, product development, and growth; established a pioneer in direct-to-consumer and subscription e-commerce.
President at BSX Holding
December 31, 2018 - October 12, 2025
Led the holding company BSX Holding in Zug, overseeing portfolio strategy and governance from 2005 to 2018.
President at Brandlab AG
December 31, 2018 - October 12, 2025
Led brand development and design initiatives and managed operations for Brandlab AG in Zug from 2005 to 2018.
Member of the Management Board at Matter Leo Burnett, Zürich
December 31, 1997 - October 12, 2025
Member of the management board; in charge of communications for McDonald’s campaigns and related accounts at Matter/Leo Burnett.
Strategic Planner at Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, London
December 31, 1998 - October 12, 2025
Strategic planner responsible for major campaigns; launched Charles Schwab Europe.
Member of the Management Board at Wirz – BBDO, Zürich
December 31, 2000 - October 12, 2025
Member of the management board; responsible for communications for Swisscom & Day Interactive IPOs, Bluewin.
Co-Founder at Blacksocks.ch
January 1, 1999 - Present
Co-founder of Blacksocks.ch (side business).
Intern at St. Moritz Tourism
December 31, 1992 - October 12, 2025
Internship in PR and Sport Events; coaching & mentoring.
Head of Unit at Jäggi Burson-Marsteller, Bern
December 31, 1997 - October 12, 2025
Head of Unit; managed account for Swiss Stock Exchange and related clients.
Jury Vice President at Digital Economy Award (Commercial)
January 1, 2023 - Present
Jury Vice President for Digital Economy Award; overseeing evaluation of entrants in the Commercial category.
Head of Entrepreneur Summit at EO Zürich / Google
January 1, 2023 - Present
Head of Entrepreneur Summit at Google for EO Zürich.
Panel Member at FHNW & Datatrans (E-Commerce Leader Panels)
December 31, 2022 - October 12, 2025
Member of the E-Commerce Leader Panels.
Independent Board Member at Swiss at Work
January 1, 2024 - Present
Independent Board Member.
Entrepreneur on Residence at ETH
January 1, 2024 - Present
Entrepreneur on Residence helping spin-offs become entrepreneurs.
Mentor at HSG Start Foundation
January 1, 2024 - Present
Mentor at HSG Start Foundation.
Accountability Coach at Founders2 – EO Accelerator
January 1, 2024 - Present
Accountability coach for EO Accelerator program; grounded in Scaling Up by Verne Harnish.
Coach at Startfeld
January 1, 2013 - Present
Coach for two startups ShoeSize.me and Ofinto.ch (since 2013).
Jury Member at Best of Swiss Web (Business Category)
January 1, 2017 - Present
Jury member for Best of Swiss Web (Business category) since 2017.
Mentor at HSG Mentoring Programme
January 1, 2015 - Present
Part of the HSG Mentoring Programme since 2015.

Education

Artificial Intelligence Sprint at IMD – Lausanne
September 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
Digital Transformation Sprint at IMD – Lausanne
January 11, 2030 - October 12, 2025
lic. oec. HSG at HSG University of St. Gallen
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1993
Exchange Program at York University
July 1, 1991 - September 30, 1991
Exchange Program at Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris ESCP
September 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992
Matura Typus E at Wirtschaftsgymnasium Biel-Bienne
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1988
lic. oec. HSG at HSG University of St. Gallen
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1993
Matura Typus E at Wirtschaftsgymnasium Biel-Bienne
January 1, 1984 - December 31, 1988
Exchange Program at York University, Toronto, Canada
September 1, 1991 - December 31, 1991
Exchange Program at Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris ESCP, France
September 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992
Artificial Intelligence Sprint at IMD – Lausanne
September 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025
Digital Transformation Sprint at IMD – Lausanne
September 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025

Qualifications

lic. oec. HSG
January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1993
Artificial Intelligence Sprint
September 1, 2024 - March 1, 2025
Digital Transformation Sprint
January 11, 2030 - October 12, 2025

Industry Experience

Retail, Software & Internet, Professional Services, Media & Entertainment, Education, Consumer Goods