Company: Wellness for highly sensitive people: Counseling and yoga for high sensitivity
Founder: Sandra Agel
Date founded: January 1, 2025
Industry and company: Mental health and exercise

What drives you? What is your motto?
I support others in the way that I myself would have needed support. I am inspired by a quote from Mahatma Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This quote inspires me because I know from my own experience how healing genuine support can be.

What is your start-up about and what makes it special?
"Wellness for Highly Sensitive People" combines psychological counseling with exercise, yoga, and relaxation—a body-oriented approach that is unique in Wiesbaden. As a highly sensitive author and counselor, I support people in better understanding their sensitivity and developing sustainable self-care.

What are your first successes?
Shortly after starting, my counseling slots were fully booked without any active advertising. I was particularly touched that people traveled over 100 kilometers for a consultation.

What is your professional background?
I had long wanted to start my own business in the field of psychology. My interest in bodywork and inner development led me to numerous training and further education courses. The path to counseling was then a natural step.

What prompted you to start your own business?
The turning point came when I realized that I am highly sensitive. For the first time, everything felt right. I understood myself better and knew immediately that I wanted to accompany others on this path. This realization was my starting point for self-employment.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?
I received support from BerufsWege für Frauen e.V. (Career Paths for Women) and attended several training courses there. I still use their services today.

How did you experience your first days as a founder?
My current business is new, but it's not my first step into self-employment. Even during the coronavirus pandemic, I taught yoga and provided counseling on high sensitivity—under difficult conditions. The uncertainty at that time taught me a lot and encouraged me to keep going.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was and still is marketing. As a highly sensitive person, I find it difficult to present myself in a fast-paced, noisy world. The pressure and pace often overwhelm me, but I am learning to find my own way and stick with it.

How do you draw attention to your business? What is your best marketing idea?
I use Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to draw attention to my services, and I am currently working with a marketing expert on a new website. Many clients now also come to me through recommendations.

How did you finance your start-up?
I financed the start-up with my own funds. Since I had my first clients right from the start, I was able to quickly cover my running costs and expand my services step by step.

What dream would you still like to realize?
My big dream is to work completely independently and location-independently—with more online offerings that allow me the freedom to do creative work, such as writing books.

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time, I would... write
even more.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?
Get advice and support early on, especially for topics such as marketing, accounting, business plans, etc. And: Network with people who are already further along.