What's a mistake that you're happy you've made?
I like the concept of struggling well and learning from mistakes does make one stronger. But that does not mean that I’m happy about any of my mistakes. Quite the contrary: I hate making them and I wish I didn’t. That’s just not how the world works.
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
I liked working with my co-founders, I thought we might have a chance to make it big-time (definitely overconfident!) and I had very little to lose by trying. Only much later did I come to recognise the amazing privileges that come with (moderately) successful entrepreneurship like choosing one's own team, having no upward limits, being able to create 24/7 - these are what motivates me today.
What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?
How long-term starting and running a business is. The world is full of stories about fast success. But most entrepreneurial journeys can easily take a decade and more. I’d still have started down that path, but with less improvised life-decisions.
What do you do to maintain balance in your life?
I’m really not particularly good at that. Part of me is the constant struggle to let go whenever I feel that my work starts to overwhelm me (it does sometimes). Accepting that I may never be able to fully log off and rather being chill about that (on holiday, weekends, weird times…) has reduced the stress it causes to me and my environment a lot.
What book do you recommend the most?
"The Hard Thing about Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz. I think it’s one of the most honest and insightful accounts of a (successful) entrepreneurial struggle.
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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.
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.