Company: Lore & Lois Weddings

Founder: Marlene Strohmayer

Date of foundation: December 22, 2021

Industry and company: Wedding

What drives you? What is your motto?

"There is a magic in every beginning" - Hermann Hesse

What is your company about and what is special about it?

Lore & Lois Weddings is about celebrating love. Individuality and the couple's unique story are at the forefront of my ceremonies.

I get to know the couple or the family in detail during an in-depth interview and then write a speech that reflects their lives in the smallest detail - so that the celebration remains a very special memory.

What are your first successes?

One big success was a very spontaneous wedding request - the wedding was to take place the very next month. We had to get to know each other and write the speech very quickly.

The bride is now the event manager of the venue where she herself got married

and recommends me to all her couples as a freelance wedding speaker.

What is your professional background?

I am "at home" in personnel and management development. In addition to my permanent position, I have always looked at what brings me joy in life. I was a dance teacher for a long time, am now a yoga teacher and am in the process of setting up my own business in the field of executive coaching.

What prompted you to set up your own company?

I originally came from a corporate group. The focus of my work was mainly on meeting deadlines and coordinating all the stakeholders involved - in my role, I lacked love and an eye for beauty.

So I looked for something I enjoyed and became a freelance wedding speaker.

Who advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?

My best friend advised me - he knows me well, questioned me critically and put me in touch with a freelance wedding officiant. She then supported me significantly in my first steps. I also attended a coaching session on "Career paths for women".

How did you experience the first few days as a founder?

The hardest thing to overcome at the beginning was having the courage to get started. I was afraid: What will others think? If it doesn't work, I'll feel uncomfortable... Until I understood that it was about me, about being allowed to try out what I enjoy. And suddenly it just went by itself.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

My own thoughts, which held me back from pursuing my passion.

I talked a lot with people I knew about my concerns and what made me feel insecure. This made me understand that making mistakes is okay and that personal growth can only happen as a result.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?

I started through recommendations. My mentor was fully booked and passed on her inquiries to me. This allowed me to expand my network and make initial contact with wedding venues. I use flyers, social media and articles in wedding magazines.

How did you finance your start-up?

I was able to finance the start with my own funds. I checked carefully: What is really important, what can I perhaps do myself at the beginning to save costs? And I bought what I needed bit by bit.

What dream would you still like to realize?

I would like to set up my own coaching business and take people out into nature - so that they can experience themselves in a different way to their everyday lives.

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

... spend time with my favorite people.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?

What helps me is that I really enjoy what I do. My customers notice this and I am convinced that this is the key to success.