Fishwife’s CEO shares her favorite interview question — and how she would answer it
Business Insider · 2026-07-28
Fishwife CEO Becca Millstein employs a unique interview question to uncover a candidate’s true strengths: "What's your superpower?" This unconventional approach, she explains, bypasses rehearsed answers by forcing applicants to identify their singular, invaluable skill, whether it's collaboration or communication, which is crucial in a startup environment where "there are no filler jobs." Millstein believes this question also illuminates a candidate's self-awareness and humility—traits she considers vital predictors of success for founders, especially given investors' aversion to entrepreneurs who lack insight into their own weaknesses. She posits that success hinges on an individual's capacity to recognize their own shortcomings and those within their organization. When asked her own superpower, Millstein identifies her ability to seamlessly navigate between high-level analytical strategy and intricate, "in the weeds" creative work, a facility she attributes to her inspiration for the Fishwife brand during her studies in Spain. She emphasizes that top founders must be both strategic visionaries and detail-oriented, hands-on leaders, willing to "take out the trash" when necessary.
*The full article also explores the foundational origins of her company, Fishwife, during the pandemic.*