As part of our quest to get you meaningful and powerful stories from around the world, we invited yet another seasoned entrepreneur Heiko Geritzmann for an exclusive interview with BrilliantRead Media. He is a Leader, Mentor, Keynote Speaker, Coach and Founder of VagusCoaching. Let’s learn more about his incredible journey, his background and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Heiko Geritzmann:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur/coach, please;
I grew up in Germany, in an area dominated by industrial plants, coal mines, refineries – People worked hard and were proud of their jobs.
After school, I did what everyone else does. I continued my educational journey in one of these corporates – I started vocational training in a prestigious local company and became a “Management assistant in wholesale and foreign trade”. That was my first insight into the “big business world”.
I was young, fascinated and proud to be part of that world – to sit behind the posh glass facade at a nice desk. I earned good money and was able to buy many things that you want to have when you’re 20 years old. After a while, I noticed, that something was missing – and the feeling became stronger and stronger. Everybody else in my office seemed to be happy with their life – except me. I was wondering what it was.”
I had an idea – I need just more education, and I can apply for all the exciting jobs in the corporate world, which would make me happy!
I quit my job, went to University and studied business administration in Germany and Sweden. I wasn’t impressed by the dry, academic education. Ok, I had a nice university degree afterwards – and now?
I started to manage my family-run construction company, working for a few big clients. I earned a lot of money, had a prestigious car and a great flat – but that business wasn’t my creation. Something essential was missing in my life.”
One day, during my work, I went to a workshop about Health, Safety and the Environment. I needed the certificate for my construction business.
This day would change my life forever! The trainer, a man full of energy and passion, taught us how to use psychological methods and creative language to change people’s behaviour regarding work safety, health and environmental protection.
I was fascinated by his work. Something was opening up inside me. And there was the spark! I want to support people in their growth and impact our world! I started a fantastic coaching and counselling training a few days later. I was burning! I found the missing bits – The basic human needs for autonomy, creativity and contribution.”
I worked hard in my business and on my training. I read every book about psychology, leadership and spirituality.
I ran workshops about communication, relationship, stress. I ran free workshops for human-rights-, developmental- and environmental organizations.
I learned a lot about myself, did a three-year-long professional Yoga teacher training, started teaching yoga and embodiment, started my daily meditation practice and my ongoing learning journey with “client-centred therapy”, “Somatic Experiencing®” and other modalities.
I launched my second business as a professional Somatic Coach and Trainer – and one day, I was ready to sell my first business successfully.
I left Germany, moved to Great Britain and started a successful Coaching and Workshop business near London. I was ready to follow my passion, my heart and started to live my dream!”
Today, I work with clients in my practice and online worldwide on their relationships, the purpose of life, changes, entrepreneurship, leadership, stress, and trauma, and help them access their spark.
I live in the South-East of England together with my wonderful wife and daughter.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I chose entrepreneurship because I always wanted to impact the world and fulfil my need for growth, creativity, leadership and contribution.
It feels great and empowering to create a better and healthier world, where my daughter can thrive and live her purpose in life.”
‘VagusCoaching’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving with the help of your startup?
I help people find their purpose in life, grow in their relationships, careers, leadership and entrepreneurship by using neurophysiological methods, like “Somatic Experiencing®”, embodiment, and a wide range of coaching tools.
In my work with clients, we explore their world beyond cognitive understanding and implement powerful and sustainable changes on a deep level.
The vagus nerve plays a fundamental role and is a complex branching nerve connecting most of the major organs between the brain and colon, like a system of roots or cables. It is the longest nerve in the body.
The vagus nerve has been described as “largely responsible for the mind-body connection,” for its role as a mediator between thinking and feeling, and I think of it as something like a physical manifestation of the soul. Also: “When people say ‘trust your gut,'” as one “Psychology Today” writer put it several years ago, “they really mean ‘trust your vagus nerve.'”
Clients don’t need a theoretical understanding of my holistic approach to achieve significant changes in their relationships, in their career- in their whole life. Blockages disappear, creating access to creativity, connection, fulfilling relationships, increased self-esteem and life energy.
Take a moment and think about situations in your life where “invisible brakes” inside keep you from living the life that you want. And now imagine, that you will wake up tomorrow morning – and all those invisible brakes are gone. What is your life like now?
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
Every aspect of my business is online at the moment to ensure the safety of my clients.
How do you manage yourself and keep on going despite the challenges? What drives you?
I always try to make sure that I hire the right people for the right jobs, from highly skilled supervisors to professional tax accountants. This way, I do not feel overburdened with work that leads to stress.
I spend a lot of time with my family – my most important resource. I love running, cycling and kayaking – and the most vital driver in my life is passion.
In your opinion, what is more necessary: An idea or a good team for a successful startup?
We need both – but a good business idea without a great team is like sowing seeds without watering the soil.
The business idea is important – but an idea isn’t a mantra – Entrepreneurs shouldn’t take their ideas (and themselves) too seriously. It’s essential to be open-minded and ready to say goodbye to an idea that doesn’t work. See what didn’t work, learn, change it or start something new. That isn’t a failure, that’s growth.
From my experience, it’s more important that every entrepreneur should have a great team of external experts – Finance Advisor, Tax Accountant, Coach. I know, that costs money and that’s the best investment in a startup.
Let’s call these experts “team on demand”. An entrepreneur can ask for support when needed.
I saw so many entrepreneurs with fantastic energy and ideas, especially in the creative field. They just failed, because they didn’t pay enough attention to the “boring” business side – accounting, budgeting, taxes.
Entrepreneurs often have great, innovative ideas. Their service or product is fantastic but was perhaps launched at the wrong time for the wrong price to the wrong people. Additionally, having no overview of finances, nor the right mindset and skills to deal with challenging situations and quick decisions can promptly stop an entrepreneur’s dream.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
I love my family, my work, my life. Anything I do in life, I have to have a passion for and it should not feel like work.
My daily meditation practice helps me to see my life with more humility and appreciation.
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?
Learn more about yourself. Ask yourself:
a) What are my triggers?
b) What are my coping strategies for stress and decision making?
c) What is my authentic motivation behind becoming an entrepreneur?
d) Learn skills, skills, skills
e) Surround yourself with like-minded and positive people
f) Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and see them as an opportunity to learn.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
