Start in the dream job
Start-up in luck: Despite a successful career, these women threw their jobs to make a dream come true. Here they present their heart project - and say why it was the best decision of their lives for them.
Photo: Jan Brockhaus
- Finally be your own boss
- From talent to job
- Get the necessary change
- Combine motherhood and career
- A lot of time and money
- From the manager to the mini-entrepreneur
"We had to fight for the necessary credit!" Sarah Vollmer (35) and Silke Lorenzen (37), hotel owners, Berlin
"Silke, do you have the key to the little sister?" The "Little Sister" is a caravan in the hall of the "craziest hotel in the world". This is how the owners Silke Lorenzen and Sarah Vollmer call their "Hüttenpalast" in Berlin.
Fashion designer Sarah and Event Manager Silke - known in Berlin for their culinary festivals - own the first room-in-room hotel worldwide. "There was not a single nice hotel in Neukölln. Our friends have been betting on us for years: why do not you open one? You are the perfect hosts! "In 2009, for the first time, they thought, " Why not? Finally be your own boss! "
Finally be your own boss
They went to the start-up consultancy of the IHK, wrote a business plan. "The IHK literally hit our paper around our ears, " laughs Silke. "We had no idea of anything! Every time we came up with a new plan, it became more expensive, in the end we were missing 260, 000 euros! "Three banks did not want to give them credit.
"But we did not give up, " says Silke, "and the fourth one agreed. During the day I cheered for joy, at night I broke out of the sweat of fear: so absurdly high debts! "In July 2011, the" Hüttenpalast "celebrated with a glittering celebration opening. "Since then we have done a lot more work for less money, " says Sarah. "But that we can do everything the way we like it, it weighs. And we are always fully booked! "
www.huettenpalast.de
"I earn twice as much as I used to" Ina Mayer (25), partner mediator, Munich
"That's Lina and Paul, " says Ina. It shows the wedding photo of a young couple. "The two got to know each other through my service and got married in May 2012." For three years, "Inas Traumdate" has been teaching couples in a whole new way: "I know my clients personally and look for possible partners everywhere. Not only at a single market, but at all. In my huge address file, in chat rooms, in professional networks - sometimes I even talk to singles while shopping. "
Ina came up with the idea of dating, when she was asked non-stop by friends about this topic: Which dating? What profile? "Somehow I'm a natural on these topics, " she laughs. "Why not make a job out of it, " I thought in the summer of 2009.
From talent to job
As a paralegal I had zero responsibility at 1, 300 euros net. Still, it was hard to quit because my boss was so nice. But I wanted to do my thing! "Already after a month it went well, today it earns twice as much as before. Starting at 500 euros Inas pay for services: profile editing or elaborate search in chats and stock exchanges.
"I address a real need of the people. In the meantime, I even employ one employee. "Ina has already arranged more than 100 couples and three have married. Only she has no time for a partner at the moment: "But if I ever look for one, I know how it's done!"
www.inas-traumdate.de
"My kids gave me the idea!" Jutta Esser (42), Internet portal founder, Munich
After 19 years as an investment consultant, Jutta Esser felt burned out: "I needed a break, could not bear the sharp wind of the financial crisis." During her sabbatical, she had a bright idea: "When I was looking for a clown for my sons' celebration, I realized I, that there is not a good list of offers for children's birthdays in the net. "
Jutta decided to found a portal for it. On their platform, mothers will find artists and locations who advertise there for a fee. "At first I had no idea about the matter, had to learn everything. And get used to the fact that I was suddenly financially dependent on my husband. "
She researched, attended toy fairs, children's parties and muttertreffs. In March 2012, the portal was launched. "It's going well - and I have much more time for my boys now!"
www.kindergeburtstage-muenchen.de
"Relaxation is my profession" Ela Windels (40), social psychologist and coach, Hannover
"When my baby break was over in 2008, I was really looking forward to working again, " recalls online marketing manager Ela. "But in the meantime, there had been a change in the boardroom. My new boss ignored me or just gave me idiot jobs without any responsibility. "
Ela felt more and more signs of burnout. She wanted to know more about the subject and used her spare time for training courses as a burnout consultant, relaxation trainer and talk therapist. "More and more often I dreamed of being self-employed. But I was too scared to give up the job. "
It was not until 2011, when the office routine became unbearable for her, that she went and opened a practice for coaching and stress counseling. A decision she never regretted: "In the first year, I had 25, 000 euros in sales. Existential fears do pop up, but for that I've regained the fun because I do something meaningful. I live exactly what I advise my clients! "
www.burnoutberatung-hannover.de
"We financed ourselves via the Internet!" Sabrina Schönborn (32), and Laura Gollers (24), founders of a lingerie company, Fliegenberg
It all started on a Sunday breakfast: "My sister and I complained that we would never find nice and fitting bras beyond cup size D, " Laura recalls. "Then Sabrina's husband Christian said: 'Stop complaining, do it yourself!'"
Business psychologist Sabrina and cultural scientist Laura found the idea appealing, but were also unsure: "Bras for curvy women. Does that need someone besides us? "
Get the necessary change
In May 2011, they participated in a start-up competition to test the idea. "We took the first place! Countless women in the audience cheered and said that even a bra never fits them. Then we knew: We are on the right track! "In December, both quit their job at an Internet company.
"We had learned a lot there - for example, how to get money." The sisters raised a whopping 100, 000 euros in initial capital in February 2012: "When we hired our idea on the investor platform, Seedmatch ', we broke a record: in four Hours we had the money together! Together we are unbeatable! "
www.sugarshape.de
"My dream was worth 10, 000 euros" Jennifer Brei (31), Systemic Coach, Munich
Already as a student, Jennifer passionately supervised intercultural projects, a career as a scholar of art history and Islamic studies seemed to be the right thing for her at that time. But at the university degree in 2010 she was pregnant unplanned.
"A knockout criterion when looking for the first permanent job! For the first time, working in a management consultancy brought me into contact with coaching and personnel development. That was exactly my thing! Help people, be free and self-determined and have time for my baby! "
Combine motherhood and career
Jennifer overturned her life plan. Instead of becoming a housewife after giving birth, she spent all her energy and 10, 000 euros savings, made the training as a business coach and human resources manager in the evening, and founded her own company, which primarily employs companies in the areas of communication and improving work processes coaches.
Besides, she also advises private individuals, especially young mothers are close to her heart. "Shortly after Emily arrived, the call came from my first big customer and from then on it went uphill."
www.miss-business.de
"I put every penny into the company" Daria Saharova (29), Online Entrepreneur, Munich
"I had a key experience when I discovered a run shortly before a business meeting. I hurried into a supermarket, waddled up the new stockings in the bathroom and sighed: Why is not there a stocking subscription for women, so you always have some ready? "
The investment banker Daria did not let go of the idea. "In 2010, I founded Bellegs. High-quality Italian stockings from 5, 90 € come regularly by mail to my customers home. "Professionally she had already advised some start-ups, so knew what to expect. This made it easier for her to quit her job in 2010.
A lot of time and money
"Nevertheless, I was a little unsure. Is an online store with pantyhose subscription really an idea on which to set my future? "Daria asked professionals and investors. "They were euphoric - and some put even money in Bellegs." But first everything went wrong. "The programmers built crap, the site looked bad, nothing worked."
Only in the spring of 2011 she was able to start. But then right. 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Currently, only Daria's employee earns because she herself puts every penny in the company. "That's why I'm currently working freelance as a consultant."
www.bellegs.de
"Eating healthy is too stressful for many" Astrid Purzer (40), founder of a detox delivery service, Munich
"We women all know how to eat healthy, " says Astrid Purzer and laughs: "We just never get to!" When she was still in a leading position in marketing, she was like this: canteen, fast food, in the evening tired of vegetable snipping.
"On business trips, I realized that healthy eating in London and LA is a lot easier than here: detox, raw food and freshly mixed juices are a megatrend there!" At an Ayurveda treatment with her husband, the idea grew in Astrid, the first one Detox service in Germany. Back in 2009, she quit her job.
From the manager to the mini-entrepreneur
"It was a big step! From the manager to the mini-entrepreneur who packs the bags herself. We invested around 60, 000 euros in development, experts and design. "In September 2009, Detox Delight went online. A five-day cure costs from 250 euros - each ration is freshly prepared and delivered daily.
"It hit like a bomb: whole office floors wanted to cure together! We worked around the clock. "Today, three years later, she has 25 employees in five stores worldwide and millions of dollars in sales. "I always believed it was working. After all, I was my own target audience! "
www.detox-delight.de
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