What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?
In hindsight it’s so obvious but I had to learn it from experience first:
„If you lose the conversations in your business, you lose your business“. This may sound kind of extreme but it is true not only regarding customers but also with regard to your team members. Great, honest, and trustful conversations are the glue that keeps an outstanding team together.
What’s an important belief / a guiding principle that informs the way you build and run your business?
People over money. It’s that simple. I’m very ambitious and, for sure, to a certain degree economically driven. However, when it comes down to prioritizing between people and money, I’m for sure on the people side.
What helped you accelerate your growth as a leader / entrepreneur?
Developing the skill of seeing things how they really are and not how we wish they were is so important for every leader. I think, this is the only chance to create a basis for making good and sustainable decisions.
What should leaders understand about their own role and responsibility?
Leadership is a long-term game. Understanding this helps me keep an eye on all things beside business, especially health since those things are an essential part of a wealthy and fulfilling life.
What book do you recommend the most?
"Principles of Life and Work“ by Ray Dalio and „Anything your want“ by Derek Sivers.
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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.