How do young people see the entrepreneurship world? We ask Daniel Grethen, 23, student in Business administration, who spent a few weeks working for 2Gears, the fintech startup that just raised 2 million euros.
Daniel Grethen (3rd from the left) with the 2Gears team Bert Boerman, Anja Thiemann and Sergio Restrepo
How did you end up working for a startup?
Start-ups and entrepreneurship have fascinated me for a number of years and even more so since I chose to pursue a career in business. The gut it takes to start your own company and the discipline that is required to make it successful are two of the factors that have intrigued me most about entrepreneurs. I knew that in order to observe these traits first-hand I would need to work for a start-up.
As it is often the case, I got the job through knowing somebody who knows someone. Especially in a country as small as Luxembourg contacts can be of immense value. I was lucky that I had someone who was nice enough to introduce me to the right people. (PS: Thanks Mom!)
Was it different from your other work experiences?
I have worked in different areas over the past summers, however this is the first job I have had which gave me the feeling that I was adding value. The sense that I was making a meaningful contribution pushed me to come to work motivated every morning. When I left other summer jobs I left with the satisfaction of having done a good days work and that was that. However, working for 2Gears was different as I spent a lot of time after work thinking about the company, mapping various scenarios in my head, and having the general feeling of excitement when thinking about where the business could go. This sense of intrigue was something energizing I had not experienced in any other job.
Some days you could feel a certain energy in the office, stemming from the effort of multiple entrepreneurs.
Did you like working in a coworking space, among other startups and freelancers?
Working in the coworking space was something I was unsure of at first. I was uncertain if I would be able to work well if I did not have an assigned place in which I felt comfortable and able to concentrate. Nonetheless, the longer I was working in the coworking space the more enthusiast I became about it. You get to know the people and can have stimulating conversations, ask for advice, or share a laugh now and then. However, the benefits I perceived at nyuko went beyond that. Some days you could feel a certain energy in the office, stemming from the effort of multiple entrepreneurs. This kind of dynamism is captivating and boosts your own productivity.
Did it have a incidence on your career choice?
Working for a start-up has made me more open to working for such a young enterprise in the future. Although it can be intense at times, this intensity motivated me and was a source of energy. The excitement of not knowing what will happen, in combination with the will to make the company succeed, create a unique combination that left me electrified even for hours after I got home. This experience has shown me that, with the support available in Luxembourg, I need not be afraid of starting my business here should I wish to do so one day.
It is important to mention that this hive of activity and positive atmosphere is the result of hard-working nyuko employees. They make sure to support you in your endeavour in any way they can and with a constant smile on their faces. The outcome is a great workplace. Thank you very much for that!
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