3i from the founder’s perspective – 5 years of experience, successes and challenges

As the founder and owner of 3i Business Solutions AG, which is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year, I would like to share my experiences, insights and lessons learned. The path of entrepreneurship is rarely straightforward, and learning from mistakes is an essential part of success. In this blog, I want to give an insight into our journey, highlight the highs and lows and reinforce confidence in the entrepreneurial vision.

From Asia to Switzerland – a new beginning

The decision to return to Switzerland after more than 20 years in Asia was not only a personal one, but also a strategic one. Switzerland offers a unique education system that is known worldwide for its quality and practical relevance. For our children, this means access to an education that promotes critical thinking, innovation and intercultural skills – skills that I believe are invaluable in the globalized economy.

Jumping in at the deep end

The decision to start my own company was driven by intrinsic motivation for a long time. According to a study by Faster Capital, intrinsic motivation is closely linked to an entrepreneur’s ability to overcome challenges and persevere. This intrinsic drive was crucial in summoning up the courage to leave a secure position and leap into the unknown.

The honeymoon phase – the first order
An unexpected blessing

My former CEO’s willingness to become my first client was more than just luck. It showed how important it is to remain professional and respectful even when leaving a company. This positive relationship paved the way for a fruitful collaboration and demonstrated the power of networks and reputation in the business world.

The importance of luck and preparation

Louis Pasteur once said, “Happiness favors the prepared mind.” This experience confirmed the importance of being prepared while remaining open to unexpected opportunities. Good preparation enabled me to seize this opportunity and use it successfully.

The corona crisis: an unexpected spoilsport

The corona crisis was an unexpected spoilsport that put our existence to the test. When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the first order proved to be a real lifesaver. It kept the company afloat and possibly prevented its early demise. This experience was a tough teacher: it taught me the vital importance of resilience and adaptability in unpredictable times. Only by being flexible and acting quickly were we able to overcome the challenges and maintain our position in the market. This lesson will stay with us in the future and make us stronger.

Choosing the right partners: a delicate matter

One of the biggest challenges I faced was selecting suitable business partners. I have gained some valuable experience from which I would like to share the following with you:

Challenges in combining business and personal relationships:

Mixing business and personal relationships can bring unexpected difficulties. Changes in life circumstances or sudden decisions by a business partner can affect strategic plans and require a high degree of flexibility.

The importance of openness and trust:

Transparency is a key requirement for successful collaboration. Missing or withheld information can severely damage the relationship of trust and cause lasting damage not only to the business relationship but also to the personal relationship.

Realignment and growth
Mental strength and personal recovery

After tough setbacks, it was important to recover mentally and refocus. I realized that personal resilience and emotional intelligence are crucial factors for long-term success as an entrepreneur.

Legal protection: shareholders’ agreements

One important lesson was the importance of well-structured shareholders’ agreements. These provide valuable protection and clear guidelines in the event of a conflict. I advise you to invest in professional legal advice at an early stage.

Focus, focus, focus – better “pointed” than “broad”

One of the most important insights of the last five years has been the need to focus. It is tempting to expand in many directions at once and offer a wide range of products or services. But I’ve learned even more that it’s more effective to focus on core competencies and excel in those areas.

The advantages of specialization

By focusing on specific areas, you can develop a depth of expertise that allows you to find innovative solutions and stand out from the competition. Specialization leads to improved efficiency and productivity as resources can be targeted to maximize the quality of products or services. It also promotes a strong brand reputation as customers perceive you as an authority in your niche market.

The challenge of breadth

If you try to be active in many areas at the same time, you risk ‘spreading yourself too thin’ and not achieving true excellence. This can lead to a dilution of your resources and make it harder to succeed in a crowded market. In contrast, a focused strategy offers the opportunity to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and develop innovative solutions.

The importance of focus for success

Focus is crucial to effectively achieving your goals and realizing your vision. By concentrating on the essentials, you can target your energy and resources to achieve long-term success. This allows you to maximize your strengths while minimizing the weaknesses that could arise from an overly broad focus

The power of the network

Network partners can be a great asset, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. Waiting on each other for assignments can be frustrating. Instead, I recommend actively working to maintain and expand the network, always keeping the mutual benefit in mind.

The 3i of entrepreneurship

Our company name 3i reflects the “customer journey” that we go through together with our customers. We initiate the change process by laying the foundations for new projects together. We then innovate together to develop creative solutions that go beyond the usual framework. After all, the result should always be inspiring and have a long-term impact.

From my experience, however, three central principles have also emerged, which I call the “3i of entrepreneurship”:

Initiate: having the courage to start new projects and actively participate in shaping the future is crucial to success.

Innovate: Constantly developing and adapting to changing market conditions is essential in order to remain competitive.

Inspire: The ability to motivate and inspire others is at the heart of successful leadership and collaboration.

In my view, these principles form the basis for sustainable success and dynamic development in a constantly changing business environment.

Looking to the future
Continuous learning and adaptation

The past five years have shown me that flexibility and a willingness to continuously learn are crucial to succeed in a dynamic business environment. As an entrepreneur, you need to be ready to constantly evolve and adapt – be it through new technologies, changing market conditions or evolving customer needs. This ability to adapt quickly and learn from experience is key to staying one step ahead.

Sustainable growth:

For the future, we at 3i are committed to sustainable growth – an approach that goes far beyond financial success. We strive to create a positive impact for our employees, customers and society. This not only means that we use resources responsibly, but also that we want to bring about positive change in the world. Our goal is to be successful in the long term without jeopardizing the future.

Innovation as a driver:

Innovation remains the key to our future success. We invest in development and promote a culture of creativity and critical thinking within our company. By promoting innovation, we not only create new solutions for our customers, but also drive the entire industry forward. Our vision is to gain a sustainable competitive advantage through continuous innovation while making a positive contribution to society.

Conclusion: gratitude and outlook

After five years as an entrepreneur, I am grateful for the experiences I have had – both the good and the challenging ones. Every hurdle has made me/us stronger and wiser. To all the budding and established entrepreneurs out there: stay true to your vision, learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes.

The journey of entrepreneurship is not always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding. With passion, perseverance and a willingness to learn from experience, we can create a better future together.

I would like to thank everyone who has accompanied us on this journey – our employees, customers, partners and supporters. Without them, this milestone would not have been possible. Let’s look forward to the next five years and beyond together, full of optimism and drive.

The 3i entrepreneur’s journey is never over – it is constantly evolving, just like we are. Stay curious, stay courageous and, above all, stay true to your values!