What personal habit or behavior helped you accelerate your personal growth?
I once received a quirky compliment from an Investor: “Achim, you are not afraid to ask questions that make you look stupid." I lean into that a lot now because many things that people take for granted don’t have a reason to be the way they are.
What was a pivotal moment where your business made a big leap forward?
In year 5, we hired our first CRO (Chief Revenue Officer) from the US. The mindset shift from having an American leader is incredible. He dared us and our Board of Investors to think bigger. He boosted our confidence and reminded us to be proud of who we are.
What book do you recommend the most?
"The Almanac of Naval Ravikant" -- It’s dense, deep and unpretentious. I find these are rare qualities in business books.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
Leadership is far less glamorous than people think. In the end it is a service to your team. They are thestars of the show, you’re just cheering them on.
What do you do to maintain balance in your life?
I love woodworking and power tools. Nothing like a screaming table saw to pull your attention away from work and into the moment.
What’s your favorite ritual or meeting in your team?
Once a year we gather the whole team for our three-day off-site event. I love working remotely for efficiency, but to fuel up on social energy, this is the meeting I need.
We’re building the largest library of insights and wisdom by and for founders and entrepreneurs.
Once a month we'll send you the latest interviews straight to your inbox. No fluff, just value. For free.
Here’s More, From Other Founders Around the World
When times are tough, who or what is an anchor for you?
My co-founders are my anchor in work-related topics. Having an environment where failure is welcomed with a helping hand and where weakness is valued as openness, once you are down those people will drag you up.
What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
When I was 16 (way before the internet) I founded a travel-partner agency to connect people from different backgrounds seeking travel companions. After a year, I had to close the agency due to a lack of customers and the confusion some callers had regarding the nature of the “service.” Despite this setback, I gained invaluable insights into sales, communication and people’s needs, solidifying my desire to run a business that helps people.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
After graduating, I worked for an extremely well-paying automotive company. But I always had the feeling that there was more out there. So I quit and went into research with the aim of becoming a founder.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
There are no overnight miracles, it's very hard work: both physically and emotionally. Requires resilience, grit, strategic approach and grind.