"GO GIRL GO!" PODCAST - EPISODE 9 JENNY RATHGEBER AND SWANTJE VAN UEHM

Two young women, two appearances in “The Lion’s Den”, two times: “I dare now”. Swantje van Uehm and Jenny Rathgeber talk about it in the new episode of “GO GIRL GO!” about her big adventure of starting her own business. About 16-hour days and babies sitting on their laps in video conferences: Jenny and Swantje live a life that is often exhausting - but one they would never want to trade in.

The world of start-ups still seems to be a male one. In 2020, only 16 percent of founders were female. It makes you want to shout out loud: Women, where are you?

That's why I'm always happy when founders come to “The Lion's Den”. And I was all the more pleased when Swantje van Uehm and Jenny Rathgeber introduced themselves – and after competitive deals decided on me as an investor. Yay! I am sooooo proud that I have been able to accompany them both with their great young companies ever since. With her brand “NUI Cosmetics”, Swantje shows that natural cosmetics can no longer be “old-fashioned” but can be super stylish and modern!  And with “ELIXR” Jenny has built up an entire brand world around essential oils and oil pulling beauty and at least connects with each other.

In the podcast, the two of them take us on their very personal journey: Where did they even have the courage to become self-employed? What stumbling blocks did they have to overcome? And looking back, would you do anything differently?

Jenny, who is the mother of two small children, admits very openly that she sometimes reaches her limits in order to balance her job and private life. But despite all the hardships, she has never regretted founding the company. "Starting a business is a feeling of freedom. I can set my own priorities every day." The most important thing is to keep work and private life separate. “It’s an ordeal when you’re working and thinking about the children and vice versa.” So her secret recipe is: 100 percent family or 100 percent job.

In the interview, Swantje also talks about 16-hour days and why the expressions “self” and “constantly” contain some truth. But even here the advantages of founding a company outweigh the disadvantages. “It’s simply a self-determined life,” she says and encourages others to plunge into this adventure too. "You're never secure in life. Even if you're employed, you can be fired. What's going to happen? So have the courage!"

I think they're both right! If you want to be inspired by the enthusiasm and courage of these young women, listen to the new episode of “GO GIRL GO” now!