As the year draws to a close, it’s time to highlight one of the most inspiring talks of 2024. Every month, TLR hosts a special Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF) event, a chance for members to share their unique skills, stories, and knowledge.
During the final quarter of 2024, The Living Room coworking members had the privilege of hearing from Anja, a remarkable member of our TLR family. Anja’s inspiring story of transitioning from a secure corporate career in the automotive industry to founding her own creative business captivated the audience and left us all reflecting on our paths and passions.
Breaking Free from the ‘Golden Corporate Cage’
Anja’s journey begins in Bavaria, in a small village in southern Germany. Despite her early love of fashion, which she explored through sketching dresses as a child, her initial career path followed a more conventional route.
“I grew up with a strong focus on security and stability,” Anja explained.
“I completed my high school diploma, went on to get a Bachelor’s degree, and even pursued a Master’s in Marketing.”
Her meticulous planning and hard work earned her a spot in the competitive automotive industry, where she secured a role in digital marketing after stints in aftersales and product marketing.
But, as Anja shared during her talk, her seemingly perfect corporate life came at a cost.
“It felt like I was in a golden cage,” she said. “Good pay, job security, and 50 days of vacation a year couldn’t outweigh the lack of creative fulfillment.”
Over time, she began to feel increasingly disconnected from her work. This discontent reached a tipping point when she returned from a vacation only to be reassigned to a role that felt like a step backward.
“It was then that I realised something had to change,” she shared. “My body was saying no, and I couldn’t ignore it anymore.”
Stitching Together an Inspiring New Path
In the years leading up to her decision to leave the corporate world, Anja had discovered a passion for sewing. Inspired by her grandmother, a seamstress, she began experimenting with creating her own clothes. Her first project? A traditional Bavarian dirndl dress for Oktoberfest. Encouraged by her growing skills and creativity, she launched a blog and Instagram account, documenting her sewing projects.
“At first, it was just a hobby,” Anja recounted. “But when I released my first sewing pattern, specifically for dirndl dresses, I realized there was a demand for niche, high-quality sewing content.”
Slowly but steadily, Anja began laying the groundwork for what would eventually become her business, La Bavarese.
Transitioning from hobbyist to entrepreneur wasn’t without its challenges. Anja emphasized the importance of preparation and self-awareness during her TGIF talk.
“I knew I needed a plan,” she explained. “I had savings to fall back on and backup options in case things didn’t work out. But more importantly, I had to figure out what truly mattered to me.”
Lessons in Self-Discovery
Anja’s inspiring journey was as much about self-discovery as it was about career transformation. Through therapy and reflection, she reconnected with the creative spark that had been buried under years of corporate ambition.
“I asked myself a number of key questions,” she shared. “These included: What did I enjoy as a child? What fascinates me about others? And what am I so good at that people ask me for advice?”
Her answers led her to embrace her passion for design and craftsmanship, combining it with her background in digital marketing to build a brand that was uniquely her own.
Along the way, Anja also found inspiration in tools like the book ‘Business Model You’, a workbook that helped her map out her personal and professional goals.
“It’s like creating a business model, but for yourself,” she explained. “It helped me align my values, skills, and passions into a cohesive plan.”
From Passion to Purpose
Today, Anja’s business, La Bavarese, thrives as a hub for sewing enthusiasts, offering patterns, tutorials, and a vibrant online community.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared some hard-earned wisdom with the TGIF audience:
- No experience is wasted. Every step in your career contributes to who you are and what you’re capable of.
- Success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to keep working at it over many years.
- Understanding yourself is the key to unlocking your potential. Learning about yourself is the best guide you’ll ever have.
- Be bold enough to change your course if needed.
- Not every passion needs to become a business. Some hobbies are better left as hobbies, and that’s okay.
And, with a touch of humor, she added, “Oh, and never ask your sewist friend to hem your clothes or shorten your curtains!”
An Inspiring Story
Anja’s inspiring TGIF talk was more than just a recounting of her career shift; it was a testament to the power of self-reflection, resilience, and following one’s heart. Her journey resonated deeply with everyone in the room, sparking conversations long after the event ended.
As we celebrate the close of another incredible year at TLR, Anja’s story reminds us of the courage it takes to pursue a life true to oneself. Whether you’re navigating your own “golden cage” or simply looking for inspiration, her message is clear: it’s never too late to rewrite your story.
* What will the next TGIF event bring? TLR Family members will find out very soon! If you would like to join the next TLR event, check out our various subscription offerings here: https://tlr-coworking.com/subscriptions/. Our ‘Friend’ subscription, for example, is only €50/month and includes access to all TLR events and social gatherings, including the monthly TGIF!
About Anja
As a child, Anja considered pursuing fashion design but ended up choosing a “safer” path, earning a degree in business administration.
Her passion for creativity found its way back through her master’s studies in Marketing Management, however, which enabled her to stay connected to her artistic side.
But her love for fashion never faded. Driven by the desire to bring her unique clothing ideas to life, Anja took up sewing – a craft that allows her to transform her vision into reality.
Anja is now the creative force behind La Bavarese where you will find beautiful and professionally constructed women’s sewing patterns.
For more information on La Bavarese, go to www.la-bavarese.com or search for La Bavarese on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or Facebook.
