#30 FeMentor

So that every woman (and every person who identifies as a woman) can get a (reverse) mentor at FeMentor, the entire program is free. Most of the time the question comes up: and how do you finance yourself?

I sometimes think that's a shame because it sometimes gives me the feeling that if it doesn't cost anything, it's worth nothing. But don't worry: there are no hidden costs with us, we work with companies and universities. We plan to continue to use our community's knowledge as currency in the future. We differ not only through reverse mentoring and the free part, but also through our diverse participants. At FeMentor we have age diversity, cultural diversity and also different financial backgrounds from corporate heirs to women who fled to Germany with nothing but a small bag.

3. What was the most valuable tip you have ever received from a mentor?

To be honest, I get something from every mentor in the FeMentor network. I'm like a sponge that absorbs everything and listens. That's probably one of the most valuable pieces of advice I've received: listen. We are so busy talking about ourselves, presenting our topics and being a part of something that we sometimes only give output and are no longer ready for input. Another method that I find helpful is that when I have problems, I always ask myself: Will I still be thinking about it in 5 years or am I just angry/hurt at the moment? This has already solved some professional and private problems. (God, I sound totally Zen, I'm not! Sometimes I also yell at drivers in the 30 zone if they're going too fast, especially if there's a school there).

4. As one of the youngest founders in Germany, a journalist and social media creator: do you encounter prejudices or clichés in your everyday life as an entrepreneur? If so, how do you deal with it?

I think one of the biggest hurdles as a founder is that you are always asked about these things. Men or founders are often asked the question: what was your secret to success? And as a founder you ask: what were the problems along the way? I would much rather share my successes to show other young women: it is possible. If you look at my Instagram account, for example, you will see that I still have vacation pictures online that I posted when I was 17-18 years old. Back then in a bikini, posing and on some beach. Just recently I had a conversation with a mentor who said on the topic: “You are causing a disruptive moment in the startup/business world. You find yourself surprised that you can be successful and smart with long legs and sexy Instagram posts.” But that's exactly why I'm leaving these pictures online, because I was missing that back then. There was no young female founder who acted, dressed and posted appropriately for her age. I don't like business suits, even if they are colorful. I prefer to wear dresses and skirts that don't go above the knee and sometimes have a midriff. Funnily enough, a lot of women write to me, regardless of age, and thank me because they feel the same way, they want to live their femininity and still want to be taken seriously as a founder/business woman.

Here are some points that I implement for positive leadership:
- Ask for help and understand that you can't (and shouldn't) be an expert in every field
- No arrogance, as already mentioned above.
- Take knowledge and advice from others seriously
- Give something back when someone helps you and offer something in return (thank you coffee, connecting with a contact, sharing a post about it on Instagram/LinkedIn)
- Don't be resistant to advice, even if you are a managing director, you should listen to the intern as well as the senior partner
- Stay open and curious
- Don't just look up, but also sometimes look back at where you came from and what you have already achieved
- Accept impulses, no matter who they come from. These don't have to be implemented directly, but this means you always stay creative.

6. Networking is one of the most important tasks - not just in entrepreneurship. Anyone who has a strong network can benefit from it in many ways and support others. But many of us find it difficult to take the first step. What are your 3 top tips for successful networking?

1. Open your network to grow it.

I've noticed again and again that some people are afraid to share their contacts for fear that they will be "stolen" from them. This is total misthinking. The more you network and open your network, the more you will become networked again, meet new people and can therefore easily expand your network.

2. Go to events alone and talk to people in cafes/restaurants.

I've always gone to events because my mom (PR woman) always took me with her. But she had to work there most of the time, which meant I approached people and had to talk to a wide variety of people. Marius Müller Westernhagen also had to be my interpreter at times because my English wasn't that good back then. Even today I prefer to go to events alone because it forces me to start a conversation, even if it makes me uncomfortable at first. Be brave and talk to new people.

3. Goes into visibility. This creates new networks that you might not have even thought of.

Just a few months ago I was spontaneously invited to a birthday weekend in Berlin. I came to the private dining room where 10 people were sitting. I knew 3 of them. One person had invited me, the birthday boy and the third person looked incredibly familiar to me, but I couldn't place him at first until I realized: that's Elon Musk!!!!! If you had told me a few days earlier that I would be sitting next to Elon Musk at a private dinner and he would be hugging me goodbye, I would have just laughed. It was never a goal for me to meet him, nor am I a big fan, but it was definitely the surprise of the year. Through my online presence, I always remind myself of my network without having to constantly write messages. Things like this can lead to birthday invitations like this ;).

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