There are many different reasons why people start businesses. Everyone has their own story and their own path. But there is one thing that connects all founders: They have an idea and set out to make it happen. They do their research, seek help, and prepare thoroughly for self-employment. With this solid preparation, they achieve their goals for the business. Find out how it works here.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us to learn more: gruendung@hannoverimpuls.de
© hannoverimpuls GmbH What were the biggest hurdles in the startup process
The biggesthurdle for me was the bureaucracy. I focus on the production and distribution
of raw vegan foods—to get approval, I first had to prove that
I am a master pastry chef. Fortunately, I was able to resolve that quickly, since my product line goes in a
completely different direction.
Who or what helped you the most during the startup process—and how?
Familyand friends were a huge support to me. They motivated me, or sometimes gave me their honest
opinions. It also helped me when I could present my food somewhere. The positive
feedback spurred me on even more.
What financing route did you take?
I financed myself exclusively with my own funds. Now, however, I have to plan how to proceed in the future
. To what extent were there setbacks during the startup process that required a change in thinking or
you were able to handle? Aside from the issue with the permit, I’ve been
. But you have to be prepared for difficult situations
. Solving them, however, is an opportunity for growth.
How, would you say, do you benefit as a founder from your intercultural competence?
I can’t say that I’ve benefited from it in any way. I produce and sell vegan raw food—there were no points of contact there.
© hannoverimpuls GmbH What were the biggest hurdles in the startup process?
For me, they were mainly mental hurdles: Can I do this? Can I afford it? But then I realized
that there was basically nothing standing in my way, and I just got started.
Who or what helped you the most during the startup process—and how?
First of all, it was my family, who supported me and gave me strength. Friends and acquaintances also
accompanied me on my journey, as well as some people I met through networking. But there were also
people who were against my plan and tried to talk me out of it. Ultimately, that
only strengthened my resolve to go my own way; in that sense, even those people helped me. Today I can say that
I simply met the right people at the right time.
What financing approach did you take?
Back then, I handled everything on my own. With what I know now, I might do a few things
and seek support.
To what extent were there setbacks during the startup process that required a change in thinking or that helped you
grow?
Fortunately, there haven’t been any setbacks so far. But I’vealso grown and developed throughmy challenges
and have continued to develop. That’s just part of the process.
How, would you say, do you benefit as a founder from your intercultural competence?
I can’t say that I benefit directly from it. Although I have Armenian roots, I grew up in Germany and feel at home here as well.
In my opinion, it’s more about the vibe you give off and the person you are. That said, I’m now getting more and more
requests for intercultural training. We’ve been officially offering these since April of this year.
What were the biggest hurdles in the startup process?
For me, it was “pulling myself together.” Starting your own business always involves risks, for example when it comes to financing. I first had to muster the courage and take the plunge.
Who or what helped you the most during the startup process—and how?
I received a great deal of support from my parents and my wife, whether financially, emotionally, or by actively helping me set up the workshop. Without the support they gave me, starting the business would have been virtually impossible. hannoverimpuls also helped me. I was able to gain a lot of knowledge there.
What financing route did you take?
I managed everything on my own or with the help of my family.
To what extent were there setbacks during the startup process that required a change in thinking or that helped you grow?
I had imagined some things to be a bit easier, especially when it comes to dealing with government agencies. I now know that there can always be issues with customers. Sometimes you have to wait a very long time for payment, which can be a significant burden, especially for small businesses. But difficulties and challenges are always there; as an entrepreneur, you simply have to be able to handle them.
How, would you say, do you benefit from your intercultural competence as a founder?
I have business relationships in Spain, Italy, and Eastern Europe, some of which were established through my family. But that’s not the only reason. Above all, it’s important to approach things the right way. But that’s not necessarily just a matter of intercultural competence.
