Find a topic you're passionate about—and then just do it. With this attitude, Zarah Bruhn founded the startup Social-Bee together with Maximilian Felsner in 2016. With it, they created the first social temporary employment agency to actively integrate refugees into the job market and society. It's not an easy topic, but it's an important one. We wanted to know what drives her, what prejudices she encounters when starting up her business and in her daily work, and what makes her happy.
What motivated you to start the company?
Alongside my studies, I worked in cleantech venture capital. There, I met many founders and was fascinated by how they wanted to create sustainable impact with economic ideas and green technologies. I wanted to do that, too. The catalyst was when I became friends with a student in Sweden who had fled Syria herself. That was in mid-2015, when so many refugees were coming to Europe. At the main train station, I got involved with her to help refugees and quickly realized: this is my topic. My passion. What's perhaps special is that the decision to start a social enterprise to integrate refugees came long before I even had the concrete idea. The welcoming culture was great — but everyone was wondering: what's next? I just knew that I wanted to be part of the long-term solution. The rest was analysis and hard work — learning to understand refugees, identifying problems, breaking them down into sub-problems, and trying out different ideas. I myself would never have thought that I would one day integrate refugees using a non-profit temporary employment model combined with an integration program. This approach to solving a problem is so unique that it doesn't just come to you while you're falling asleep. Hence my advice to those starting a business: find a topic you're passionate about and get started. Why wait for an idea? The first idea at the beginning is never the one you'll end up with.
“Your own ideas are the best role models”
Did you have any role models when you started your business?
Your own ideas are the best role models to strive for. Nevertheless, there are some personalities who inspire me. Some examples: Denzel Washington gives great speeches. Bill Gates is a full-blooded entrepreneur with a big heart. Amal Clooney is a powerful woman who stands up for justice. And then there are the amazing social entrepreneurs I've met. Like Bart Weetjens, who trains rats to defuse landmines without harm and has thus demined entire areas in Africa.
When and where do you get the best ideas?
When I think about the future, I imagine what we could achieve in the next few years. I listen to the wild dreams of other founders or motivational speakers. And then I consider how we can get there. Usually, I do this together with team members or friends who contribute their ideas, over a cozy beer.
Your greatest talent?
Push, push, push. Rethink. Do. Nothing is impossible. I would describe myself as a 30/70 person. I usually kick-start the first 30 projects that hurt the most and require a lot of energy, and then get the ball rolling. It helps me to bring a good mix of wild dreams and business pragmatism to the table.
The biggest mistake you have ever made?
My motto is: “No regrets”Mistakes happen. You learn from them and draw new strength from them. I've certainly made some big mistakes, but there isn't a single decision that I regret for a long time. You usually only know if something works when you try it out. We have lots of ideas at Social-Bee. Some work out well, some go wrong. You have to be able to deal with that. It would destroy me if I started questioning every decision and ultimately myself. I try as much as possible to block out the bad feelings that hold me back and focus on the positive successes.
Your secret weapon when networking?
Just stay natural. It doesn't matter what you say. The main thing is that you say something. A nice smile and a strong, confident demeanor help. Don't belittle yourself, but don't take yourself too seriously and listen. Most people are happy when you show interest in them!
“Get to work. Try it. Now.”
Does it seem like a good time to start a business?
There is never a perfect time. I think we should free ourselves from this passive attitude. Don't wait for the right time, the right idea, or the right partner. Don't envy others, compare ourselves, complain that someone else was faster. Many have ideas, say “I could have done that too”But the point most people fail to reach is implementation. All I can say is: Get started. Try it. Immediately.
The three worst prejudices you have encountered in your everyday life as a founder?
- “You can easily start a business part-time” — in my opinion, that only works with ideas you're working on alone, or in the early months, when you're just trying things out for the first time. But if you want to build a company, bring other founders on board, and have big dreams, then you want and need to put all the energy and passion you have into it. If you're not ready for that, then it's better to just give up.
- “You can’t build a business with social issues” — a non-profit organization can operate just like a traditional startup. The only difference is the motivation. Earning money is merely a means of self-preservation, of independence. Impact is paramount.
- And then, of course, all the prejudices against people with a refugee background. Everyday racism is unfortunately part of our daily routine.
What’s on top of your desk right now?
My TEDx talk next week—I'm representing Germany at an international TED Talk conference on migration and flight. I'm currently receiving professional training for this—a new and exciting challenge.
“It all depends on what you make of it”
What makes you happy?
Every time we hire a new refugee, or when someone is hired by our partner companies, it's a great feeling to know how we're changing the lives of refugees and their families. There's nothing better for me than seeing our team moving the world a little bit in the right direction. My motto: “Love what you do” — and I do.
Otherwise, good food, surfing on the Eisbach wave and my wonderful family make me happy.
Was being a female founder an advantage or a disadvantage for you?
Overall, it's an advantage. A confident demeanor, a strong business orientation, and the courage to follow through on your ideas are important prerequisites for being taken seriously. Many women with great ideas—especially in the social sector—still struggle here. Nevertheless, I also believe that it all depends on what you do with them. Coaching sessions are a great opportunity for personal development (but this is precisely where good programs and structures are lacking). You do have to be a bit louder and wilder to avoid being structurally underestimated. But if you are that, or learn to be that, and thus surprise people—contrary to their expectations—you can inspire them even more as a woman.
