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Thorgils Sigvaldason
CRO & C0-Founder of Crank Wheel
Gilsi is the CRO and Co-Founder of Crank Wheel, responsible for finding customers and monetizing the product in the best possible way. Also acting as a product owner, he brings his domain expertise of sales and customer service to partners and helps them understand telephone acquisitions. He has worked as a field agent, a telesales agent, and a Sales Manager for almost 20 years.
Q. During the pandemic and lockdown do you have a routine that you follow every day?
This is strange to us because our business has been growing three times faster than usual. But even though our business is growing like there’s no tomorrow, I wanted to stop and get my old world back because I haven’t had the time to do anything like that, I’m just working. We’re working, working a lot, I love that. So that’s good.
Q. Is there something that people may not know about you?
People probably don’t know I don’t just drink alcoholic but also non-alcoholic beer. I’m also a grandfather now. Yes, it is confirmed, OK I only look like I am 45 years-olds, in fact I am a grandfather. It happened about one year ago and it’s a boy. I have four girls and really wanted to have more children because the world needs more of me! And now I have the grandson.
Q. Do they all live near you or do they live far away?
Yes, they live here in the land of Fire and Ice. I wouldn’t say close, for some of them I have to travel for about fifty kilometres, for some it is seven or eight minutes. So, I would prefer five-minute travel, but you can’t have everything. I mean, it depends on speed of course. I am too fat for walking.
Q. What is the best thing about Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice?
We have a short distance to nature, and we’re only five hours away from New York and about three hours away from London. Somewhere in between our markets. Our business is in the US and Canada, 50% is in Europe, so we have, like, short distances. And the best thing about Iceland is the weather, it’s never the same and the Sun is overrated.
Q. Can you remember what your very first job was?
I used to mop the floor, working with my mother from the age of thirteen until I was eighteen. It was money to pay the rent and stuff like that. I have almost zero education. I’ve just done a lot of sales work since an early stage, so I can say, I can speak from the floor.
Q. If you had a biography what would be the title?
So, you can say I’m a living legend. If I had a written book about me the title would be Living a Legend. It’s not a long title, no education, working in telesales coming up with the idea to use this all over the world.
Q. If you had the choice to do another profession, what would that be?
Stand-up comedy artist for sure! I already practice that at some of the Siinda conferences, but you should have a backup man, but my back-up man is myself, I always have to rely on myself.
Q. Do you have a favorite comfort food?
Because I live on an island, far away from everything and almost near the North Pole, I like fresh fish a lot. Fresh caught with a lot of Icelandic salted butter, potatoes, and maybe a beer or two. That’s what I like, and it’s nothing fancy. But it’s all about keeping it fresh and with a beer. I love beer. I love local breweries. Every time I travel, I always shop at local breweries, because they have a story to tell. I don’t want to go all over the world just to drink a Heineken.
Q. What message would you send to the Siinda community?
We are currently accepting customers. If you play your cards right, you could become one of us and if you are our customer, thank you for the support and start selling like there’s no f……. tomorrow.