Fox-Wizel CEO Harel Wiesel Discusses Business Acumen and Personal Habits

Harel Wiesel, CEO and controlling shareholder of the Fox-Wizel Group, a company valued at approximately NIS 4.7 billion, shared insights into his business philosophy and personal life in a recent interview. Wiesel, who did not follow a traditional academic path, attributed his success to an early passion for sales, recalling selling t-shirts and stickers in elementary school and sabras at a military commissary. He believes that practical sales experience, even from childhood, provides a significant advantage.

Wiesel's most significant business decision was expanding the company's portfolio by bringing international brands like American Eagle and Mango to Israel around 2012, a move he regrets not initiating earlier, around 2005. He draws inspiration from his childhood in Ramat Gan, where observing the affluent children of merchants in the neighboring Hillel neighborhood fueled his ambition to achieve financial success through commerce.

His daily routine begins at 5:30 AM, reviewing news and economic sites before checking sales figures from the company's 1,200 stores. Wiesel admits to struggling with attention deficit disorder, exacerbated by his constant mobile phone use to respond to messages, which he believes hinders his ability to fully focus during meetings. He is particularly drawn to entrepreneurs with "fire in their eyes" and a strong belief in their ideas.

Despite his business success, Wiesel expresses a psychological inability to purchase expensive clothing, like jeans for 200 euros, though he enjoys seeing his children able to do so. He prefers spending on luxury cars, currently driving a BMW 760. He also revealed a fear of economic catastrophe and a moderate anxiety about health, though he avoids medical check-ups. Wiesel describes himself as dominant and aggressive, characteristics he believes are necessary for success in Israel, but insists his business dealings are fair, if tough.

Looking back, Wiesel would advise his 20-year-old self to take a high-level English course, as he can speak and negotiate in English but struggles with reading comprehension, requiring translations of documents.