Günes Seyfarth is a real serial entrepreneur. Next Entrepreneurs, the astronaut and Fruitiverse are just three examples of her current business ideas. We wanted to know how the Munich native organizes her many projects, what drives her, where she finds inspiration, and whether she thinks now is a good time to start a business. Günes Seyfarth speaks openly about why she doesn't care about prejudices and what her priorities are. An interview.
Günes, you've founded a variety of companies. What motivates you?
I want to discover new things. That's why I find it exciting when I delve into something I'm new to and then successfully establish and consolidate it as a supreme discipline, to find out for myself whether I've understood it or whether there's still something to work on. I like to simply put things into practice instead of dwelling on theory for too long. Because only in practice do you realize whether something works or not.
I also want to set an example and show that what others are still discussing is possible.
Do one unpleasant task every day
You run several businesses simultaneously and have three children. How do you organize yourself?
First, I have people around me who support me. My husband, who always has my back, and my network, who can answer my questions and connect me with people who can help me move forward.
Second, I focus on what really makes sense to achieve results. This includes completing a task every day that I dread, such as the tax office, uncomfortable conversations, etc. This way, I can overcome blockages and then focus on tasks that move the project forward.
Did you have any role models when you started your business?
Absolutely. First and foremost, my mom, who came to Germany at the age of 16 without any German language skills, knowledge of the country, or money. Simply with the vision of a better life. I also enjoy learning from those who have already achieved success.
implemented what I want to get better at.
Realizing what is important
When and where do you get the best ideas?
In transfer. I deal with various topics: education, food waste, nutrition, climate protection, politics, society, economics, leadership, careers, future prospects for life and work, effectiveness, dance, children, epigenetics. Observing, questioning, and being open-minded gives me new impulses, which I then further develop and see where it leads me.
Your greatest talent?
Listening to my intuition. I have a great deal of basic trust, and by listening to myself, I can quickly decide whether a person or a topic is right for me. Whether I feel comfortable with it or not. That's my benchmark for my activities, both in my private life and in business. I don't make any distinctions. I don't have to understand everything to follow it. If my heart tells me it doesn't feel right, then I stay away from it.
The biggest mistake you have ever made?
Money isn't important. It doesn't make me happy. But it allows me to achieve what's important to me.
“Thinking and acting entrepreneurially is a way of life”
Your secret weapon when networking?
Genuine interest in the other person. I'm not a fan of small talk. I want to learn what makes the other person special and understand them as a whole. After all, we're always giving up our lives. I want to spend it meaningfully and make that possible for my counterparts, too.
Does this seem like a good time to start a business? Why?
Founding a business and thinking and acting entrepreneurially is a way of life. The time is always right to start a business.
But especially given the increasing dynamics and speed of change in our society, starting a business is an expression of a sensitive awareness of what matters. Either because you don't want to sink into the comfort zone of an employee and want to experience real life, or because you see solutions that haven't yet been implemented.
Prejudices do not interest Günes Seyfarth
The three worst prejudices you have encountered in your everyday life as a founder?
To be honest, these are more internal barriers than external prejudices. I don't care if someone thinks I can't start a business as a mother, woman, or person with a migrant background.
It is important that I:
- Know where I want to go.
- I know what I'm doing and I deal with my numbers and options.
- And do it.
What’s on top of your desk right now?
- The astronaut, to create role models for girls and women, so that they can achieve anything. This requires 50 million. We are working on this from 'The MacGyvers‚.
- Fruitiverse, to expand the production of our fruit gums with organic fruits.
- Next Entrepreneurs, to give today's kids the confidence that they can create a new world that enables a peaceful and tolerant society.
And many other projects like Raising awareness about food waste, School development, and much more…
What makes you happy?
To feel that something inspires me — especially my family and people who often don't believe that what they do has an impact on another person.
Thank you, Günes Seyfahrt, for your open answers.
