No Team, No Party

NO TEAM, NO PARTY

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Turning a start-up into a professional company is a Herculean task that, more often than not, cannot be accomplished without fully dedicated employees. How does one pave the way for success and future growth? How can one’s employees contribute? These young entrepreneurs, supported by Textilerei of Mannheim, are facing up to great

challenges. Photos: Companies www.startup-mannheim.de

Label founder Tina Cetrez has the ambition to create core pieces and indispensable companions.

Fair, ecological, and hand-crafted: the children’s label Piaf & Ponti.

OPENNESS

Piaf & Ponti. “One should really listen to the children,” Dolunay Erdar said to herself shortly before she launched her children’s clothing label Piaf & Ponti in 2017. Her ultimate goal is to create truly sophisticated clothing: fair, ecological, and hand-crafted in Mannheim. Erdar also runs a concept store for mothers and children with business partner Stefan Knecht. How does she choose her employees? “Friendly interaction is paramount. It’s also vital to have fun at work, both in the store and the studio. When it came to hiring seamstresses, knowledge of the German language was not as decisive as interpersonal chemistry. We spend so much time together in a familial environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue. Everyone’s ideas are welcome. That’s the only way it works. And everyone looks forward to coming to work.” www.piafponti.de

TEAM SPIRIT

Kalaika. It all started with the net bag. Today, the accessories label Kalaika also offers filigree jewellery. Tina Cetrez founded Kalaika in Berlin. She showcases her range at trade fairs in Berlin and Munich. Her customer list includes the likes of Engelhorn and Conleys. The latest coup is the first Kalaika store in the heart of Mannheim. “A good team is the foundation for brand growth,” Tina Cetrez says. “Every employee is important and contributes greatly to our mutual success. I want to instil the Kalaika team spirit in my employees. The positive energy is what makes us so special. Each individual should see themselves as part of the bigger picture. Everyone knows that I have an open ear for their wishes and suggestions. I’m very proud of and grateful for Kalaika’s success. I launched a company based on an idea. That’s so great! What I’m trying to say is that everything is possible as long as you believe in your goals. It’s also essential to always enjoy what you do.” www.kalaika.berlin

Belle Ikat, launched by Isabella Stadler and Anna Fedchenkova, is willing to assume social responsibility.

EMPLOYEES AS AMBASSADORS

Belle Ikat. “Belle” means beautiful, while “Ikat” describes a traditional fabric weaving technique. The womenswear collection by Isabella Stadler and Anna Fedchenkova is fully committed to sustainability. All fabrics are, for example, hand-woven by Uzbekistani women in their own homes. “We want to make a difference,” says Isabella Stadler. “Belle Ikat strives to support women and assume responsibility. We are currently in talks with the Indian organisation Saheli Women. We’d like to have our clothing sewn there too. The region is very poor, which means that women rarely have the opportunity to learn a trade. Medical care is also disastrous. The organisation supports 20 to 30 women and we’d be thrilled to help too. We want our employees to share Belle Ikat’s message. Our customers should be aware of what they’re wearing.” The label, which was launched in 2018, only recently made an appearance at a Parisian pop-up store specialising in sustainable fashion. The next stop is a sustainable fashion store in Brooklyn, New York. www.belleikat.de