My professional experience and expertise as...
My diverse professional experience and the valuable specialist knowledge I have acquired from it now flow directly into GEOlaViva’s recommendations.
As the saying goes: 'Life is lived forward and understood backwards!'
You can find out more about my professional career here:
travel agent
1989 - 1998
For almost a decade I worked as a travel agent in a Hamburg travel agency chain.
What I particularly appreciated about my work was that I was able to design and implement a large part of my diverse tasks independently.
My main tasks included the creation and booking of travel offers, booking and administrative activities as well as the development and implementation of marketing measures.
The greatest joy for me was recognizing the wishes and needs of those interested in traveling and finding the right travel and leisure offers for them.
But the best thing was when "my" customers returned happy after their trip and enthusiastically reported on their experiences.
In addition to my private travels, as a travel agent I had the privilege of visiting many hotels and holiday accommodations on information trips, exploring breathtaking landscapes and experiencing the diversity of our world first hand.
Not only was I able to discover wonderful places, but I also gained deeper insights into the cultures and lifestyles of the local people. These encounters had a lasting impact on me, broadened my horizons and showed me how important mutual respect and an appreciative approach to other cultures are.
I was particularly impressed by the small, authentic moments - a warm exchange, the stories of the people and the peculiarities of their traditions.
Such experiences remind me how valuable the diversity of our world is and how important it is to preserve it.
Back then, sustainability issues hardly played a role in tourism. Only now is the industry slowly beginning to change its mindset. But although tourism has great potential to become more environmentally and socially compatible, the industry is still relatively at the beginning.
I find it particularly sad that even today animals are exploited for the entertainment of guests. I simply cannot understand that we live in a time in which animals are tortured and have to suffer at the hands of humans.
Looking back, however, I must admit that I did not pay attention to animal rights on some of my trips.
So I still have a lot to make up for >>
My experiences and expertise from this time now flow directly into GEOlaViva's travel and leisure offers in order to only recommend responsible and animal-friendly offers.
employee in a garden center
2019 - 2022
During my work in a garden center of an international retail group, I was able to gain valuable practical experience in stationary retail.Returning to work was made much easier for me, especially in the beginning, by a patient and supportive team. Not only was I able to expand my knowledge of caring for plants and the attractive presentation of products, but I also learned more about how to use digital work tools and the inventory management system.I particularly enjoyed responding to the wishes and needs of customers. It was a nice feeling to be able to bring some variety and joy into people's everyday lives with a visit to the garden center during the Corona pandemic - a time full of challenges.The complete closure also offered the opportunity to learn new things: With the Click & Collect service, I was able to further expand my knowledge of retail and adapt flexibly to the changed conditions.
The experience and knowledge I gained through my work in stationary retail are now being incorporated into GEOlaViva's Holistic Lifestyle Marketplace.
caregiver of elementary school children
2010 - 2011
Shortly before I started my own business with GEOlaViva, I worked as a carer for primary school children for over a year.
In addition to the usual childcare tasks, I tried to teach the topics of environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity in a playful way. I used materials from BUND on the subject of lynx and from the Federal Environment Agency on the subject of soil. It was a great joy to see how the children not only took the lynx to their hearts through these projects, but also the earthworm Fridolin.
You can download the adventurous journey of Fridolin the earthworm at UBA >>
Training and journeyman years as a hairdresser
1985 - 1989
My professional career began with an apprenticeship as a hairdresser, as I wanted to pursue a creative career from an early age. During my training and work, I repeatedly came into contact with chemical substances that were very harmful to the skin and respiratory tract. Fortunately, the ban on CFCs as propellants in hairsprays came into effect at this time. So I was made aware of the effects of everyday products on health and the environment at an early age. Due to these experiences, GEOlaViva only recommends vegan natural cosmetics without microplastics and animal testing - which take care of people's health, protect animals and preserve the environment.
After two years as a journeyman, I decided to put my long-held desire to discover the world into action.
Career break in employment or The underestimated tasks of a mother
Before I became a single mother, I was very fortunate to be able to spend time with my three children instead of at work.
This time is invaluable to me. I know that there are many mothers and fathers today who would like to spend more time with their children, but unfortunately cannot. I was always aware of this:
- Unpaid work:
The many tasks and activities I undertook as a mother were not remunerated - even though they would have been of considerable value.
- Volunteering:
Supporting trips and projects in kindergarten, supervising the school library, helping out in the cafeteria and during project weeks at school were often taken for granted - after all, I was "just" a mother.
- Underrated skills:
Only slowly are some companies realizing how valuable the skills and soft skills are that mothers and fathers, whether employed or not, can bring to everyday work.
- Gaps in your CV:
This period is considered a “gap” in my professional career, although in reality it was one of the most formative and educational phases of my life.
And even though I was aware of all this, I am still infinitely grateful for the indescribably valuable time that I was able to experience with my children and that I still am able to experience today.