Compete, Evolve, Compete Again: Marcos Galperin, Executive Chairman & Founder, Mercado Libre

What does it really take to stay relevant when the world refuses to stand still? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Marcos Galperin, Founder and Executive Chairman of Mercado Libre, and Chris Zook, Advisory Partner at Bain & Company and co-author of Profit from the Core and The Founder’s Mentality, to explore what it really takes to keep growing when the rules of strategy are being rewritten. From a garage in Buenos Aires to a $100B powerhouse, Marcos shares how Mercado Libre became Latin America’s e-commerce titan, outpacing global rivals and thriving through calm and storm alike. He opens up about the personal sacrifices behind building at scale, what it means to lead at 24/7 intensity, and how competition, culture, and constant reinvention have kept Meli’s spirit alive. Chris brings decades of deep research into what separates companies that sustain profitable growth from those that stall, revealing why most failures don’t come from markets, but from losing touch with the core that made them great. He shows how rediscovering an insurgent mission, a frontline obsession, and an owner’s mindset can reignite growth from the inside out. Together, they unpack the brutal truth of sustainable success: that strategy alone won’t save you. It takes energy, resilience, and an ability to deliver and develop at once, optimizing today while inventing tomorrow. This conversation is a masterclass in balancing the outer game of performance with the inner game of purpose, and a reminder that the best CEOs don’t just manage complexity. They master it. Join the Conversation: To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or our CEO Insights hub: https://www.bain.com/founders-mentality/ https://www.bain.com/insights/topics/ceo-agenda Learn More: Escaladores - Podcast Series (https://podcasts.apple.com/ar/podcast/escaladores/id1692216304) The Founder's Mentality Defined (https://www.bain.com/founders-mentality/about/) Profit from the Core - Book (https://www.bain.com/insights/books/profit-from-the-core/) Founder's Mentality® and the paths to sustainable growth - Video (https://www.bain.com/insights/what-is-founders-mentality-video/) Get Your Mojo Back with the Founder's Mentality® - Video (https://www.bain.com/insights/get-your-mojo-back-with-the-founders-mentality-video/) Barriers and Pathways to Sustainable Growth: Harnessing the Power of the Founder's Mentality - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/founders-mentality-barriers-and-pathways-to-sustainable-growth/) Reigniting Growth - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/strategies-for-corporate-growth/) The Lost Engines of Growth - Article (https://www.bain.com/insights/the-lost-engines-of-growth-fm-blog/) Bain & Company LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/bain-and-company/) Bain & Company X (https://x.com/BainandCompany) Jimmy Allen LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-allen-3442b/) David Haines LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-j-haines) Iona Gaskell LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/iona-gaskell/) About Founders Mentality Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a leadership podcast hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs, from Audible to Walmart to AWS, as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Together, they share the lessons that shaped their growth, the “aha” moments that redefined their work, and the surprising ways reinvention happens at every level. Whether you’re a CEO, an aspiring leader, or simply curious about leadership, influence, and business at scale, this podcast will challenge and inspire you, one story at a time. About the Host: Jimmy Allen is an Advisory Partner at Bain & Company with over 35 years’ experience advising leading organizations. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books on growth and leadership and the host and founder of Bain’s Global CEO Community Forum. Jimmy is a regular speaker at global business events, including the World Economic Forum, and serves on the Botswana Economic Advisory Council. Outside of consulting, Jimmy started his own record label (Abubilla Music) in 2008 and supports Singing Wells, a project dedicated to preserving Kenyan village music. Bain & Company: Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions is brought to you by Bain & Company, a global consultancy trusted by the world’s most influential business leaders. With decades of experience guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership development, Bain’s executive insights offer what it takes to lead at scale.