Munich Startup: What motivated you to start the company?
Sandra Westermann: In fact, due to my new family situation, I was no longer able to find an employer or a job that matched my professional experience and, above all, offered flexible working hours. I applied through the usual job boards, and even though companies tout their family-friendliness in their corporate marketing, I quickly realized that this isn't the reality. For example, why, as a woman, are you asked about your plans to have children in a job interview?
superheroine However, it is authentic and credible. Companies that advertise positions for superheroes are family-friendly. We have now developed a very effective process to verify this.
It has been proven that women search for jobs differently than men. Women not only look for the hard facts about the job, but also for the soft facts, such as the corporate culture or values of a company.
Munich Startup: What would you have liked to have known before starting your first business?
Sandra Westermann: There are a lot of things I wish I'd known beforehand, for example about IT development. It would have definitely saved me a lot of stress and money.
Diverse group of shareholders
Munich Startup: How has your company been financed so far?
Sandra Westermann: I'm very proud of my diverse group of shareholders. This includes business angels from Germany and a private investor from Munich.
Munich Startup: When and where do you get the best ideas?
Sandra Westermann: Actually, I don't have a specific place. When you focus too much on developing ideas, things usually don't work out. Many good ideas sometimes come to me at night when I can't sleep, or while driving.
Munich Startup: What are your 3 favorite work tools?
Sandra Westermann: I never go anywhere without my iPad, so I use the Good Notes app for ideas I have on the go and new to-dos, which then sync with my Mac. We use Slack for communication, and Canva has also been a huge help for us.
Take the other person’s position
Munich Startup: Your top tip on pitching?
Sandra Westermann: Stay focused, be well prepared, and be as pointed as possible. Taking the "other side" is equally crucial. So, does your counterpart understand exactly what you're saying? Is the message you want to convey coming across? This is something you can practice with friends and a partner.
Munich Startup: Does this seem like a good time to start a business? Why?
Sandra Westermann: Definitely! The most important thing is still the idea itself and what problem the startup can solve. Good ideas always find support.
Focus on impact
Munich Startup: Which technology or industry would you focus on for your next startup?
Sandra Westermann: The great thing about Superheldin is that I can help so many women and at the same time address the shortage of skilled workers. My next startup would also focus on making the world a little better. That's incredibly motivating.
Munich Startup: In your opinion, what could be improved at the Munich startup location?
Sandra Westermann: I would like to see a large networking event one day.
Munich Startup: Which founder would you like to meet in person? And what would you ask them?
Sandra Westermann: Allison Robinson. She founded the US-based platform “The Mom Project” and we're both committed to the same issues. I'd be very interested in getting a glimpse behind the scenes of investors in the US and how Allison managed to raise $60 million.
