I’m The Founder Of Fab, And This Is How I Work


Since launching in June 2011, Fab.com has become the internet’s fastest growing e-commerce site. It has captured more than six million users with its yes-you-can-afford-it prices and constantly changing lineup of design products.

From neon Baroque-style chairs and sequinned party dresses to midcentury lamps and framed prints of sloths (yes!), Fab aims to offer a little something for everyone. The company’s founder and chief design officer, Bradford Shellhammer, is Fab personified — whimsical, inspirational and wickedly funny. Needless to say, the past year has been a crazy one for him, and he’s picked up a few tips and tricks along the way. We caught a moment out of Bradford’s schedule to find out the best ones.

Name: Bradford Shellhammer
Occupation: Founder and Chief Design Officer at Fab
Location: New York, NY
Current computer: 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina
Current mobile device: iPhone 5
I work: Loudly

What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?

Working lunches! Fab was formed over a dinner table, so I think work more passionately and efficiently with food. I’d be lying if I said I relaxed during lunch — it’s the height of the day and the end of the day in our Berlin office, so during that time I’m usually in a meeting with the team chowing down or having a more leisurely lunch with a client. Either way, there’s no downtime: I work straight through the day, and I think that helps me stay on point, save time, focus and get shit done.

What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?

Evernote. It keeps me organised.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without?

My Alessi corkscrew. It’s the most important gadget in the world!

What’s your workspace setup like?

My office at Fab is full of my favourite products we’ve featured on the site, plus a colourful selection of snacks and candy, and a big red pog by Molla Spacethat holds all my magazines in its mouth. The left side of my office opens up into a conference room that Jason, our CEO, shares. He’s on the other side of the conference room, and we can keep the doors open to be in touch with one another throughout the day. My desktop itself is pretty minimal — just my laptop, monitor, notepad, and pens. Also, AMAC containers set for business cards and other little things. But even though that’s my favourite space to work in, I’m back and forth between NYC, Berlin, and India constantly, so my office is really wherever my laptop is.

Pictured above: colourful odds and ends in Bradford’s office.

What do you listen to while you work?

I listen to cliché gay music: Erasure, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys — that kind of stuff. I try to listen to new music, but my heart won’t let me leave 1992.

What’s your favourite to-do list manager?

I have two. The old fashioned way: I keep a notebook and clear off and rewrite my list daily. I also use Evernote for receipts, travel plans, important passwords and inspirations.

What’s your sleep routine like?

I’m in bed by 11pm and up at 6.30am every day to head to the gym like clockwork. I’m an early riser with no need for an alarm.

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?

I am better at laughing than everyone else. I always see the humour in things — heck, we’ve built a business around it!

Pictured above: Fab’s NYC office.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Once my mum told me: Only you can embarrass yourself. That really freed me. And Madonna said: Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another. I like that one. Oh! And Auntie Mame said: Life is a banquet and most suckers are starving. Basically, they were all saying the same thing — eat at the trough of life and don’t give a shit what the other animals are thinking. I love that.

Is there anything else you’d like to add for readers?

Watch Auntie Mame, if you have not! It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

You can connect with Bradford on Twitter @youngbradford.

We’ve asked a handful of heroes, experts and flat-out productive people to share their shortcuts, workspaces and routines. Every week we’ll feature a new guest and the gadgets, apps, tips and tricks that keep them going. Want to suggest someone we should feature or questions we should ask? Let us know.


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