Company: Kochatelier65
Founder: Leah Fischer
Date founded: February 1, 2025
Industry and company: Nutrition education & event catering

What drives you? What is your motto?
"We romanticize the stars and forget that it was the darkness that made them visible."

What is your start-up about and what makes it special?
At Kochatelier65, everyone has a place at the table. Here, everyone can show what they can do and share what makes them special. It's not about being the same, but about creating something together that sustains and inspires. Because in community, we achieve more – growing, learning, and enjoying together.

What are your first successes?
A big success was finding the right rental space—finally a space where my idea could take shape. Even greater was the feeling of being able to convince cooperation partners of my concept, even though I had nothing to show for it except my vision.

What prompted you to start your own business?

A change of job put me at a point where I had to decide: do I take the "safe" route – or do I build something of my own? I knew that if I didn't take the plunge now, I might find myself stuck at some point. I wasn't perfectly prepared, but with the feeling that this could be something, I simply seized my opportunity.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?
I could always rely on my family—their support made it easier for me to take the step into self-employment. My mother, herself a founder, is my great role model. The rent subsidy from the city of Wiesbaden took a lot of pressure off me. I also consciously sought support: the Gründerfrauen (female founders) gave me support in difficult phases, and Heimathafen (home port) gave me a lot of inspiration through community and spirit.

How did you experience your first days as a founder?
It was a mix of euphoria and doubt – "Wow, this is really happening" and "What have I gotten myself into?". Sleepless nights and full to-do lists accompanied me. It was a tough crash course: it's not enough to just believe in the idea, you also have to explain and defend it over and over again.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was staying focused even though demand was low at first. Despite my doubts, I had to continue believing in my vision. It usually helped to look back and see where I was just a few weeks earlier.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?
I work with many people who each bring their own community with them. That way, we grow together and become better known. At the same time, I use social media and focus on becoming visible in the city and in the press.

How did you finance your start-up?
I put all my savings into my passion project and started without any loans. Thanks to strong partnerships, I was able to save a lot. 

What dream would you still like to realize?
I dream that Kochatelier65 will become an integral part of Wiesbaden and, as a cultural meeting place, will connect, inspire, and enrich the city.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would... spend
every free second with my loved ones.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?
No matter how good the plan seems, always expect a start-up phase and make financial provisions. Otherwise, money worries will rob you of your focus and joy.