At an expo earlier this year, Katharina Kreutzer found herself being congratulated by business partners and clients. She was puzzled but, after checking her phone, she saw dozens of messages applauding her for being included among Forbes 30 Under 30 — an annual list that identifies the most promising young entrepreneurs, leaders and stars in various fields.
Aged 24, Kreutzer has already achieved more than most. Born in Regensburg, she left school at 16 to gain practical experience in the world of work. She began a commercial apprenticeship and became a qualified business administrator. At the height of the pandemic, she worked in purchasing, buying flour, sugar and other products for over 4,000 supermarkets. At the same time, she was studying for her bachelor's degree in business and retail management, which she completed in just one year. After that, Kreutzer became a certified instructor in her field. "I want to pass on my knowledge to other young women," she says.
Kreutzer's desire to be a role model comes from personal experience. "I have a little sister. She's 13. Right now, everything her mother says is uncool, whereas she listens to her older sister more often. That's the crux of why I am active in various foundations and initiatives: I want the next generation to learn from young people who are passionate about what they do."
From learning to earning
In May 2022, Kreutzer moved from Regensburg to Hamburg to launch a start-up called Boomerang. Shocked at the amount of cardboard-packaging waste caused by online orders, Kreutzer has made it her mission to focus on sustainability. With co-founders Marc Engelmann and Christian Putz, she has developed reusable packaging for e-commerce. These durable bags can be used up to 50 times, reducing cardboard waste dramatically. With the EU Commission's goal of cutting packaging waste by 15 per cent by 2040, it's come at just the right time.
Boomerang is already proving successful. The start-up entered its second investment phase in December 2022, and feedback is positive. "Lots of people say that they'd like to keep the bag for themselves," Kreutzer laughs. "But it's always more sustainable when it is re-used for online shipments." She's now focused on expanding Boomerang as much as possible and, for the moment, feels content in her pioneering role.
A lot of hard work
Kreutzer admits she has very little time to herself. "My private life has fallen by the wayside somewhat. It's not just the work from Monday to Friday, but the expos that take place at the weekends and the networking events in the evenings, too. But I have a dog and I like to box — I try to make time for leisure!"
Kreutzer believes that a positive approach to work is the key: "I am always in a good mood. I think if you don't enjoy something, no matter how good you are at it, it shows. I look forward to Mondays!"