New Entrepreneur (NE):
Name & surname: Schierenberg, Zuzanna
Country: Germany
Sector of activity: Music Industry
Did you already start your business?: no
What is your (future) business?: Innovative & Green Mobile Audio Services
Host Entrepreneur (HE):
Name & surname: Zebo Adam
Country: Austria
Sector of activity: Music Industry
Experience in running a business (in years): 20+
Name of business/website: Zebo Adam
What is your business?: Music Producer
What is it like to think through your own business with a music producer who has been established for decades and to combine existing processes with new innovations?
Introduction
I found out about the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program from someone who had already completed it. As I had already heard about the benefits of this program from this person and was in the process of building up a larger network in my industry, I also wanted to apply for it. The program itself offers a large internal network, and you also get a personal coach who you can always contact if you have any questions. My expectations for an outcome from the program were that I would be able to improve the content of my business idea and draw on the experience of an established host in the industry, as well as gain access to the existing network in order to drive my project forward.
Activities undertaken
My host entrepreneur works independently in his recording studio in collaboration with other people such as engineers, managers, concert organizers, etc. It is a very individual and creative but also technical activity. We have done projects together, so I get to know his approach to audio and artistic processes. Furthermore, we regularly exchanged information about our progress so that we could address all the topics that moved us during our time together. My host gave me the freedom I needed to create my own concept and my own path within existing processes, which really boosted my productivity and creativity.
My business concept is about making technical processes within audio technology more sustainable and also initiating a digital transformation. The core of my exchange was therefore about the importance and necessity of existing processes compared to innovative and sustainable processes. The entire process deals with sustainability and digital transformation.
Achievements and Impact
My host was able to provide me with a great deal of industry knowledge and established procedures and ways of dealing with processes, but also in cooperation with his network. I was able to draw a lot from his experience and learn about the constant and rapid changes within the music industry. I will return with a wealth of experience that I will take into account in my business concept. I have also been able to make contacts and gain my host as a long-term support. My host has made a valuable contribution, particularly in the promotion of women in this male domain of audio technology. As he is also constantly committed to the visibility of women, people of color and the queer community in his everyday life, he was able to draw on my previous experience. There were no hurdles in terms of content, only the time flew by so that the six months passed very quickly. A partnership will certainly continue as mentor and mentee.
Future
My host and I will stay in contact, that’s for sure. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants a completely different insight into their own industry from another country. Even in a country as close as Austria, some communication and working processes are different to those in Germany. But music is a bridge beyond language and cultural barriers, thats the great thing within my branch. It was also a wonderful experience for me on a personal and intercultural level, as it was the first time I spent Christmas with an Austrian family at my host’s home.