Remarkable entrepreneurs swim against the tide

The successful Swiss-Norwegian real estate businessman Hans R. Holdener took many detours before he was able to rise to the top league of the Swiss financial and real estate market with his Helvetica Group. Today, Helvetica is one of the key players in the Swiss market. It all started with a CILO bicycle. But what does a 40-year-old racing bike have to do with company values and entrepreneurship? 

How did you become an entrepreneur? 
I think it was a mixture of coincidences, luck and passion. But leading a life as an entrepreneur is not a job, it's an attitude. It's something you can learn or something you're taught and pass on from generation to generation. And certain people may be better suited as entrepreneurs than others. 

What was your path? 
I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My father was in the restaurant business, as was my grandfather. There, as a young boy, I worked everywhere, was able to look over my father's shoulder, but most of all I washed dishes and learned a lot. It was a great time that gave me a good base. 

So you learned from your father? 
Yes, but my father especially taught me a good work ethic and gave me a lot of drive. In many ways, my father was a great role model for me. He taught me that in life nothing comes from nothing and that you always have to keep your word. 

And what does entrepreneurship mean to you? 
Above all, working hard, living with a lot of uncertainty and taking responsibility. Not only responsibility for myself, but also for my employees and for our customers. You definitely don't become an entrepreneur because you're looking for a work-life balance; as I said, it has to be more than a job, it has to be a calling, a passion. 

Is it possible to dream yourself into an entrepreneur? 
If by dream, have vision, you mean, then to be an entrepreneur you have to be a dreamer. Walt Disney had once said, "If you can dream it you can do it." You have to want to make a difference, change something and achieve something as an entrepreneur. But there are also many entrepreneurs who were accidentally pushed into cold water, others are born into an entrepreneurial dynasty and often have no choice. 

Is it enjoyable to be an entrepreneur? 
Like everything in life, it has different sides, but you should get used to sleepless nights early on. Especially the first years can be damn tough, but I still wouldn't trade. Being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle and for me it's perfect the way it is. (Laughs) 

How important is success for you? 
Of course, success is an important factor. Success secures jobs and compensates for countless hours of work. But success should never be the reason for wanting to become an entrepreneur; success is always just the result. But with success also come crises and challenges, and overcoming them is part of an entrepreneur's job. 

Crisis is a good keyword. As an entrepreneur, how do you assess the current crisis? 
The counter question would be: which crisis do you mean and is there a crisis here in Switzerland at all? Sometimes I have the feeling that the media are writing us into a crisis, but this "crisis" so far is certainly not, or not yet, a real crisis compared to other difficult times I have experienced. 

What do you mean? 
This is where, as I said at the beginning, the analytical head and the gut come into play. If you look at the current economic figures, the future looks very solid and positive. There are many opportunities in all industries, we are suddenly talking about a shortage of skilled workers, counting the unfilled positions rather than the unemployed and making a problem out of it again. But in challenging times, years of experience and entrepreneurial action count more than in good times, but a bit of luck and a good dose of intuition are always part of the equation. 

What are your plans for the future? 
We will definitely continue to grow as a company. Buying real estate in "times of crisis" has always been smart. There are plenty of opportunities out there, which we are now tackling. The difference to the competition can only ever be made in challenging times. We, at Helvetica are ready to continue making smart investments in an exciting market. This will make our investors satisfied and further strengthen our position in the market. 

What does it take to become a successful real estate entrepreneur? 
Above all, patience, a good knowledge of the market, experience and the courage to buy at the right moment and then hold the properties for the long term. This also often means having the "balls" to swim against the tide and to move anticyclically. But as always, it also requires a good amount of intuition. It took me a long time to trust my gut, but it has always been very rewarding. 

And what does someone who wants to establish themselves in the real estate world need? 
Two things: First, experience and a proven track record are much more important than academic training. And second, you have to be aware of your investment style. Am I a speculator or more of a long-term investor. The question is, do you want the speculative, short-term gain or rather a long-term step-by-step approach. Real estate is a long-term and sometimes boring story. The best value creation comes from long-term thinking and action. So it takes a lot of patience. 

How do you keep yourself motivated? 
I like to read a lot and keep myself mentally and physically fit. That also includes riding my bike to the office most of the time. 

In your office there is also a bicycle in a prominent place, a vintage CILO bike, what's that about? 
It is an important part of my life story. For me, this bike symbolizes the start of my entrepreneurial career. Sometimes the journey was bumpy, sometimes I had headwinds, but I always had the handlebars firmly in my hands and knew where I was going. This bike has sharpened my personality.

Would you do anything differently today? 
Yes, of course, many things. At times I think I could have pushed even harder. Maybe I was also a bit too hesitant at times and was afraid of making mistakes and disappointing people. But all these facets make me as a human being and I probably wouldn't have been happier then than I am today. (laughs) 

Are there still new discoveries to be made in the real estate sector? 
Of course, every day. Switzerland will look different in 50 years than it does today. There is a lot of potential. Being and staying curious and always asking the question "why" are important aspects of entrepreneurship. I hope to die with my shoes on one day, as an entrepreneur, looking for the next real estate deal. In that respect, of course, real estate is perfect for me. (laughs) 

Would you do it all over again? 
Hmmmm. Probably not in this way. It was a hard journey and I was on the verge of giving up several times. It took a lot of coincidences for me to find my way into finance and real estate. But clearly, I would want to be an entrepreneur again in some way. 

What would you recommend to a new entrepreneur today? 
Speed up and trust your own gut feeling, and don't listen to academics and analysts. Building a business always takes longer and is always more difficult than you think. You have to be prepared for a lot of resistance, unfortunately, which is a pity. In America, every entrepreneur who builds a startup is celebrated for his or her courage. In Switzerland, on the other hand, you are watched skeptically until you "make it" and then you suddenly have a lot of friends (laughs). It takes patience, courage, a lot of strength, and sometimes a little naivety can't hurt either. Never give up even though it's difficult and do what you are most passionate about. 

Training or experience? 
Training is always a good foundation, but the driven mileage counts more. "It's all about execution". Watching the movie "The Founder" about the McDonalds story and reading the book "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen is a must. By the way, brave entrepreneurs can get the book for free from me. Let's see how many respond. 

Can you recommend entrepreneurship? 
Absolutely. Switzerland would be nowhere without entrepreneurs. The whole world is open to people who are willing to take risks and dare to step into the unknown. 

Just do it, you say? 
Sure. Just dive into cold water and learn to Swim afterwards. But with passion, joy and optimism. 

Do you have role models? 
No idols, but there are many people who inspire me: Steve Jobs and Elon Musk are certainly among them. 

A final tip? 
MAKE IT HAPPEN! (laughs)