I've come to see mistakes not as the end of the road but as the starting line for learning. Rather than viewing failures as setbacks, I now see them as essential stepping stones to success. This mindset makes me more receptive to new ideas and approaches.
I've always been disciplined and persevering, and I've developed these qualities primarily through sport. They also help me enormously in business. This discipline keeps me focused and allows me to keep going even in difficult phases.
I'm lucky to have a great support network of family and friends. When things get tough, I can always rely on them to give me a boost and help me switch off from work. These social connections give me the strength to power through and recharge my batteries.
Trust is really important to me. Over time, I've learned that it's essential in a start-up. Even when things don't go according to plan, everyone needs to be able to rely on each other. When the team has trust in each other, they can work together on innovative ideas and communicate openly.
Once a month we'll send you the latest interviews straight to your inbox. No fluff, just value. For free.
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.
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.
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.
There are no overnight miracles, it's very hard work: both physically and emotionally. Requires resilience, grit, strategic approach and grind.