Company: Gertrud Belle
Founder: Klaudia Hauser
Date founded: January 21, 2024
Industry and company: Fashion

What drives you? What is your motto?
A sailing ship can be built to perfection in the harbor and continuously improved. But ultimately, it has to go out to sea to prove its worth.

What is your start-up about and what makes it special?
Hiking clothing made from natural fabrics that is not only functional but also beautiful and feminine. We develop our collection in Wiesbaden and it is also produced in Wiesbaden. This enables me to have personal contact with my customers and provide individual advice when selling. I want to offer an alternative to the usual hiking clothing.

What are your first successes?
When the first collection was finished, I actually held the blouses, pants, and skirts I had designed and developed in my hands for the first time; the positive reactions from customers and media reports.

What is your professional background?
I am a trained social pedagogue and worked as a social worker in a school for almost 20 years – and then took the plunge into self-employment.

What prompted you to start your own business?
When I reached the summit during a mountain hike, I was just happy and wanted to take a nice photo at the summit cross – and then I realized that it just wasn't possible in functional clothing. Or to put it another way: my love of mountain hiking and the futile search for hiking clothes that are functional and beautiful, made from natural, skin-friendly fabrics and not polyester. Hiking fashion that brings out the natural beauty of women.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?
Berufswege für Frauen (Career Paths for Women) introduced me to two important mentors: a fashion designer who shares her knowledge and experience with me. This has allowed me to learn about this craft and understand how complex it is and how much work goes into it. And a mentor from the fashion industry who repeatedly directs my attention to processes, production, calculations, and, above all, realistic implementation.

How did you experience your first days as a founder?
During the first few days, I thought: "... let's see how far I get."

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it? Being
self-employed is more complex than I thought. But I figured everything out step by step—by asking questions, trying things out, and persevering. For example, with design: first with watercolors and foils—later with the help of a fabric designer. It grows with every step. 

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?
Mainly through direct contact: at trade fairs, events, exhibitions. I talk about the idea and the clothing. Then there's Instagram, the website, press, flyers, collaborations. I like collaborations best. Working with other small businesses, such as stores, shops, salons, and studios, to put on a small event for customers. And lots of word of mouth.

How did you finance your start-up? With
my own funds!

What dream would you still like to realize?
GERTRUD BELLE on tour—with a mobile showroom traveling through Germany. Pop-up events in small stores, salons, studios. It's not about mass appeal, but about proximity. And in the long term: founding a cooperative in which women work together—with the same respect with which I make clothes.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would... go hiking
more, spend time outdoors.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?
I find it difficult to give tips and advice. An important eye-opening experience for me was realizing that I can't appeal to every woman. We humans are simply so diverse.