Women we admire: Charlotte Biehl
Interview with Charlotte Biehl
Founder and CEO, byBiehl
Charlotte Biehl founded byBiehl in 2010 with a vision of creating sophisticated, feminine jewellery of high quality at an affordable price. With a background as a management consultant, Charlotte had extensive experience in strategy, product launches and business management, but her entrepreneurial spirit drove her to create something of her own.
Growing up in the countryside with a mother who was passionate about sustainable micro-farming and recycling, Charlotte has always had a natural understanding of responsibility and environmental awareness. This is reflected in byBiehl’s DNA, where the green journey and timeless design go hand in hand.
Charlotte’s entrepreneurial journey also began early. At the age of 10, she decided to save up for a pony by planting a strawberry field and then selling strawberries by the roadside. Charlotte grew up with a great deal of freedom and with the understanding that you can do whatever you set your mind to. She is one of four siblings, all of whom have previously tried entrepreneurship, and today both Charlotte and her sister, Rikke, have made it their career.
“We were allowed to throw ourselves into the things we wanted to do. And if we got in over our heads, then we had to learn how to swim ourselves,” Charlotte says.
Read her interview here on the page.
Charlotte, what advice would you give to women who are considering taking the leap into entrepreneurship?
A good piece of advice I have for others who dream of becoming entrepreneurs is: go for it. Make a plan that prepares you for growth, but at the same time be realistic about how much you are putting at risk if it doesn’t work out.
And be prepared for it to be a rollercoaster ride. There will be lots of amazing experiences, and there is nothing like creating something yourself and watching it grow, but there will also be difficult moments and tough decisions. So it helps to have a bit of a “cork” mentality – being able to bounce back quickly when you face setbacks.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken, and what did you learn from it?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was probably quitting my job and committing to byBiehl. Throwing myself into a life with no financial safety net and where you always carry the ultimate responsibility for every decision that is made.
Which habit or mindset shift has had the greatest positive impact on your life?
Always aiming to live a life that makes me happy every day. I’ve promised myself that if I’m not happy, then I need to do something to make myself happy – either by changing something or by doing more of what brings me joy.
It can be bigger things, but also small things like going for a walk or a run, or spending five extra minutes enjoying time with my children.
Who has been your biggest inspiration, and how have they influenced your journey?
There isn’t one specific person who has been my greatest inspiration. It’s many people – people who have pursued their dreams with great passion. I always gain positive energy and inspiration from meeting people who truly care about what they do, and who create something and make a difference.
Looking back on your journey, is there any advice you wish you had received earlier in your career or life?
Perhaps to a greater extent remember to ask more experienced people for advice. You don’t have to make all the mistakes yourself. Sometimes it’s okay to take a shortcut if someone with experience can show you the way.
If you could change one thing for women globally, what would it be – and why?
It would be equal rights, equal opportunities and self-belief.
What does balance in life mean to you?
Balance in my life means a lot to me. Only when I am in balance myself do I have the energy to be a good leader and a good mother, partner and friend. I try to listen to my body, which fortunately also sends very clear signals when I push it too hard. I have learned the hard way what the consequences can be if you don’t listen to your body – and I would very much like to avoid that again.
For me, it’s the simple things that are so important – I need to get enough sleep, stay active, eat healthily, and I also see a physiotherapist every other month to correct imbalances in my body. And it’s important to have fun along the way. I try to do more of what makes me happy and gives me energy, and less of what does the opposite.
What does balance in the world mean to you?
It is incredibly important that we take care of the world we have, and I truly believe we have a responsibility to actively do something to protect it. That is also why we started byBiehl’s green journey.
We know we are not perfect, but it is very close to my heart – and the entire byBiehl team’s – that we continuously do what we can to improve.
We plant CO₂-absorbing mangrove trees and remove waste from the ocean. We have transitioned to producing everything in 100% recycled silver and gold, and we are continuously reviewing all our other processes to find more sustainable solutions. For example, we now produce sustainable gift boxes made from FSC-certified paper and biodegradable materials, and we use biodegradable plastic.
And we hope we can help inspire others to think about how they treat our planet – and how we leave it as a good place for future generations.
CHARLOTTES FAVORITES
