Founding story January 2022 - FÜHLdichGUt-Store
Stella Kocademirici has radically changed her own life and now wants to inspire other people to live sustainably. Naturally, she has the right products for this. Her "FÜHLdichGUT-Store" is a combination of sales and event space. In addition to offering sustainable and fair fashion, cosmetics and accessories, the store hosts events on sustainability and fair fashion, such as readings, lectures and movie nights. The 31-year-old founder found her dream shop space in the List and opened in September 2021. Until then, the graduate public relations expert had worked in an event agency.
Stella, what was your motivation for the FÜHLdichGUT store?
In my job as an event manager, I planned events all over Europe and traveled and flew a lot. Of course, it was a great experience, but it wasn't really sustainable. As I am always trying to question myself and my lifestyle, I quickly realized that I wanted to change my career and do something that would make a positive contribution to the environment.
I had wanted to be self-employed for quite a long time, but I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I then came to fashion via nutrition. Many people now buy organic food as a matter of course. Sustainable fashion, on the other hand, tends to be bought by chance or mainly ordered from online stores. So the idea grew to create a place where you could touch, try on and, of course, buy sustainable fashion. I then put together my own selection of goods. The result is now available in the List!
Why a retail store and not an online store?
I deliberately decided against an online store. There is already a very good online offer. However, online shopping is not necessarily sustainable, especially with all the returns. What's missing in the cities are the fair fashion stores, where you don't have to send things back and forth. I also don't want to stand in the warehouse packing boxes, I want to give advice, answer questions about the labels and have lots of personal contact.
What tips do you have for other founders?
Trust in your idea! Don't let external influences unsettle you. Stay true to yourself, get help and accept it! Networking is important. It helps to exchange ideas with other founders. You realize that you are not alone with your problems, you can learn from each other and help each other.
Contact details:
FÜHLdichGUT-Store
Ferdinand-Wallbrecht-Str. 7
30163 Hanover
T. +49 178 538 1461
Instagram: @fuehldichgut_store
Opening hours
Tue-Fri: 11am-6pm
Sat: 10-16 h
Stella Kocademirici on the cooperation with hannoverimpuls:
Last year, I won 2nd prize as a solo starter in Startup-Impuls, the start-up competition organized by hannoverimpuls. If it hadn't been for hannoverimpuls, my concept would certainly have looked different and I might not have managed to implement it within a year. I took advantage of the advice they offered and also attended several business development events. I worked on the idea with the coaches and identified niches and gaps in the market. The competition helped me to structure myself better and bring my idea forward. Winning second place confirmed that I am on the right track.
Ute Rebel, Project Manager Start-up and Entrepreneurship at hannoverimpuls, on Stella Kocademirici:
Working with Stella was a lot of fun. Seeing how an initial idea matures and then goes on to win an award also motivates our team in consulting. Stella managed everything wonderfully. A great success!