Why do you work at Traxpay?
Because after almost 15 years in the entertainment industry, I wanted to go in a completely different direction, and the financial sector with its different nature and omnipresence in Frankfurt was somehow an obvious choice. I then decided on a fintech startup to avoid total culture shock. But I still thought it unlikely at the time that working in the financial sector could be so fun and fulfilling. Fortunately, I was proven wrong. I joined Traxpay in 2014 as Office Manager and am now looking forward to returning as Marketing Manager after my parental leave.
Does the job make you really happy?
Absolutely. I was also allowed to be creative as an office manager, but only temporarily. The fact that I can now focus better on one of my main strengths makes me very happy. I think the more one’s own strengths and the requirements of the job match, the easier it is to do and the more room there is for personal improvement and development. The areas of creation and editing are in good hands with me and I am very much looking forward to being able to visualize and communicate the philosophy of our company to the outside world. Another thing that makes me happy is that my job allows me to reconcile work and family life. Thanks to flexible working hours and the possibility of working from home, this works wonderfully and takes a lot of negative tension out of the professional and personal spheres. I know so many mothers who would actually like to go back to work, but usually can’t for the relevant reasons. This is frustrating in the long run and also stressful within the family. The fact that Traxpay as an employer makes this compatibility possible makes me really grateful.
How important is the topic of sustainability to you?
The subject of sustainability is very close to my heart. My husband and I farm a few hectares of land on the side and also have our own forest. So we are directly confronted with what nature forgives us as a resource and have been doing our best for years to work as sustainably as possible here. On our own farm, it is relatively obvious what needs to be influenced in order to achieve more sustainability; moreover, the whole thing is also comprehensibly subsidized. It is more difficult to become more sustainable in everyday life or as a company, because you often don’t really know where to start. Often, it only works on a small scale at first, and on top of that, the whole thing still has to be economical. So it takes a certain amount of detective work, a lot of stamina and sometimes, unfortunately, the power to convince skeptics to improve things effectively. Becoming more sustainable doesn’t just happen spectacularly with a bang; it’s a process that has to be initiated and an awareness that has to be created and lived. I think it’s fabulous that Traxpay is leading the way here, and that with our Sustainable Supply Chain Finance.
What is at the top of your agenda?
I experience Traxpay every day as a unique company with great products and highly motivated colleagues. Giving these positive attributes a face and visualizing this spirit to the outside world is my primary goal.
What would you do differently in your professional life today?
I never used to get the work-life balance right and was always available everywhere. I would do that differently today and set clear boundaries here – especially for myself. Likewise, during actual working hours, it’s important to create space for rest and concentration. Even if initial creative ideas like to find their origin in lively surroundings, I need above all quiet and concentration for the process of then putting them on paper or the screen. That’s why I sometimes hang the electronic “Do Not Disturb” sign outside the door during this phase of development and switch my cell phone, messenger, etc. to silent mode.
