Tomáš Bzirský is a name that resonates in the Czech e-commerce scene. He has gained experience not only in online sales, but also in marketing and strategic management of companies. From his own business with hair extensions, through marketing management at GymBeam and online supermarkets like Rohlík and Košík, to the role of Head of Group Marketing at the Packeta group. He left Packeta in December 2024 and is now a freelancer. How does he view his journey, what drives him forward, and how does he work with the most influential names in Czech e-commerce?
Tomáš’s journey began inconspicuously. He has been involved in web design since the age of 15, when he mastered his first technical skills. The key turning point came thanks to his girlfriend (now wife), who wanted to get her hair extensions. They saw an opportunity – the product was missing on the market, so they launched their own e-shop.
“It was a ride,” he says with a smile today. “You get into discussions with suppliers, learn customs processes and understand that Europe is small and you have to go to China.” His first business partners were eBay suppliers, as Aliexpress was not yet well known.
As CMO, Tomáš managed the marketing of the entire Packeta group, which includes Zásilkovna. “I enjoyed the idea of returning to marketing, and this was a perfect opportunity,” he explains his career move. He also admits that working with energetic leaders like Simona Kijonková was no shock to him: “I was fortunate to work with people like Tomáš Čupr, Dalibor Cicman, and Simona. What do they have in common? Absolute passion, belief in what they do, and incredible drive.”
Tomáš is not a typical manager who would lock himself in the office and delegate tasks. “I sit among the team members, I want to have all the information firsthand,” he describes his management style. A regular workday means planning, data analysis, and strategic meetings. “I like numbers, so I look at how the results turned out, what’s working for us and what’s not. We want to keep moving forward,” he adds.
When asked about handling work after a sleepless night, he admits with a laugh, “When I have a hangover, I come in a little later.” But he adds, “You have to overcome it, fight, and keep going.”
No one is infallible, and Tomáš does not hide his setbacks. “In the early days of my business, I didn’t really understand some processes and forgot to report some transactions. It resulted in a fine from the tax office and customs issues. I learned a lot from that,” he says. Now he is much more careful with finances.
When Tomáš is not immersed in marketing strategies, he enjoys traveling. He has a clear dislike for Bangkok. “My wife and I spent two months in Asia, and Bangkok was the worst experience. We walked through it back and forth, but it didn’t enchant us.”
As for modern technologies, he says, “ChatGPT is a good assistant, but it still can’t replace you. I use it for research, but creative decision-making still has to be done by a human.”
Tomáš’s career path is characterized by three-year cycles, where he looks for new challenges. What will his next step be? “Right now, I’m happy. I have a strong team and I enjoy working on the Packeta Group. What will happen in a year? We’ll just have to see,” he concludes with a smile. However, we know that he left Packeta in December 2024, as his three-year cycle was fulfilled. Since then, he has been a freelancer.
If you enjoy stories of inspiring people like Tomáš Bzirský, follow more interviews in the Reels Talk byAndré series on my YouTube channel.
