What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?

I wish I'd understood that a product doesn't need to be perfect; it needs to be simple, user-friendly, and most importantly, you have to sell it.

What motivated you to become an entrepreneur / leader?

During my university days, I developed a recipe app that gained some downloads on the app store. The real turning point was seeing people use my app on the subway; realizing how my work could simplify everyday life was incredibly inspiring and pushed me to build meaningful software solutions.

What's your secret sauce for building a great team?

The key to building a great team is to love what you do and to trust your team members. This passion and trust not only motivate but also empower everyone to contribute their best, creating a strong unit.

What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?

Leaders should understand that their role isn't to do everything themselves. It's crucial to inspire and motivate the team while also placing trust in them to execute their responsibilities. This approach not only enhances productivity but also creates a positive and empowering work environment.

What do you do to maintain balance in your life?

To maintain balance in my life, I ensure that my team can operate independently for periods of time. This approach allows me the freedom to spend extended time with my family. Ensuring autonomy at work not only encourages responsibility among team members but also supports my personal life balance.

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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.

  
from
 
Robin
 
Römer
CEO
 at 
Pelicad

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.

  
from
 
Tobias
 
Forster
Founder / CEO
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GOstralia!-GOmerica!

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.

  
from
 
Alexander
 
Neb
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 at 
Assemblio GmbH

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.

  
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Katia
 
Yakovleva
Co-Founder and CEO
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