From 2001 until the end of 2017, entrepreneur Marie-Luise Dött served as the president of the Federal Association of Catholic Entrepreneurs in Germany, which has more than 1,200 members, including entrepreneurs and managers. She is a member of the national leadership of the “Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Economy” within the ruling faction in Germany, CDU/CSU.
Representative Dött is a gemologist and diamond appraiser, a family entrepreneur, and the owner of a precious stone jewelry manufacturing business. She shared more about her rich entrepreneurial and political life in an exclusive interview ahead of her arrival in Zagreb on March 8, where she will be a VIP speaker at the third Congress of Women Entrepreneurs in this part of Europe.
Marie-Luise Dött
Women’s entrepreneurship in Croatia, as well as in Southeast Europe (which freed itself from the shackles of socialism just over 20 years ago), is on a constant upward trend. How do you see the possibility of cooperation with our colleagues in Germany, how can we connect, exchange ideas, learn from you, and of course, develop the achievements of the market economy by following the bright German examples?
The most important insights you mentioned in your question: networking, exchanging ideas, sharing Best Practices, and market economy. You can further develop economically in cooperation with the German-Croatian Chamber of Commerce. You can use our medium-sized enterprises as a model. They are the guarantors of our strong and flexible economy: over 99 percent of all businesses in Germany are medium-sized and generate more than half of the added value, providing nearly 60 percent of all jobs and about 82 percent of training and apprenticeship positions. You can take our dual education system as a good example. The dual system is our foundation for skilled workers that we need in our companies. You can take a close look at our “social market economy.”
What would you emphasize to women who are afraid to embark on entrepreneurship and dare to realize their business ideas as an experienced entrepreneur?
Fear is not a good advisor, but entrepreneurs do not think in those categories. Respect for the task, e.g., to be employed in your own company – yes; But fear? No. Fear is not a good motivator. From experience, I can say: if women establish something, they do it thoroughly! They go bankrupt less often than men. So, once you know that, it’s a good start! Moreover, besides needing a good plan, you need perseverance and must be able to deal with failures until you achieve your long-term goal. My advice: dare! And find a partner who actively and morally supports you!
What have been your biggest challenges in entrepreneurship and how have you overcome them?
The biggest entrepreneurial challenge is, when everything has succeeded, you must resolve who will inherit your business.
Besides being a successful entrepreneur, you have two decades of experience in high politics behind you? What prompted you to become politically active and not to give up all these years and not feel “fatigue” from this type of activity?
I come from a politically interested and active family. My grandmother was politically active in the Union, so politics has always been a part of my daily life. Even as a student, I was politically active, then in local politics, before moving on to federal politics. As long as you are interested in everything happening around you, you will not get tired! It is exciting and pleasant to actively help create the world around you!
In Croatia, as well as in this part of Europe, women find it difficult to decide on any social engagement, especially in the direction of politics. Often due to a very pronounced patriarchal attitude towards women. How can we overcome this, do you have any advice for us?
Sometimes women are largely busy organizing their work and private lives, so there is simply no time left for politics. It is necessary to call on brothers, spouses, and male relatives to join and take part of the responsibility in the family so that women can also become politically active. This cannot work against, but only in cooperation with men. However, women must actively demand this. Women must critically ask themselves: what demands do I have of myself?
How can women effectively balance private and business interests in a rich career where no side of our life suffers? What guided you in your private and business journey in the desire for an effective balance?
Women are masters of organization! They manage to reconcile and arrange everything, only if their families and society support them a little in this. If there are places for childcare, and women know that their children are properly cared for there, and husbands and fathers support women in their independence, women will achieve everything they want. But social recognition should also follow.
For female entrepreneurs in Croatia, as well as in this part of Europe, family and childcare are a significant burden, which entrepreneurs face in their business engagements. Is the situation the same in Germany and how do you balance this in your families?
Raising and caring for children should not be an issue solely for women. It is a family matter, so it concerns men as well. As long as they do not participate in family affairs and do not feel responsible, all the work and organization remain with the woman. Of course, it is very difficult under such circumstances to be successful and work in your own company.
