Founder profile: Alexander Andres

Doing business more economically makes sense in every industry. Alexander Andres, who already took part in the Entrepreneurship Masterclass in 2016 , is now applying the tea campaign principle to the sock industry. It promises more transparency, sustainability and fairness. On Startnext he is currently looking for more supporters for his Wool Rockers - socks that rock! In our founder profile, he reports on his founding and his Wool Rockers.

What is your idea - briefly explained?

Merino wool socks are ordered directly from the manufacturer in larger quantities. These are packaged and sent to the customer in packs of 3 or 5 without any intermediaries. The idea is to be made known to the outdoor sports scene through word of mouth and online campaigns. This way you can find your customers directly in the target group. However, I have not yet been able to implement the campaign principle and have started with Amazon FBA. Here I am currently selling merino hiking socks and merino business socks under my “Wool Rockers” brand.

What fundamental problem are you solving with this? What do you want to achieve with your idea?

A wide range of people are given the opportunity to buy Merino wool socks at a lower price with the same quality. Potential buyers, who are currently still deterred by the high price, can easily afford merino socks if our idea is implemented. Although this currently works well via Amazon FBA, the price in the campaign principle would be much more attractive.

How did you come up with the idea - tell a bit about yourself, your past, interests and how you became an entrepreneur?

I got to know Merino-Shirts through a friend. I was immediately amazed by the properties of merino wool. However, I hesitated to buy it for a long time because the price is so expensive. In a sales campaign by a well-known manufacturer, I then struck. That's when the idea was born to see what shirts made of pure merino wool cost. When I researched that the shirts are much, much cheaper to buy, I decided to offer merino shirts much cheaper on the market.

I have told many friends about it and they are also afraid of the high price when buying merino shirts. In the meantime, however, I have started with socks and will now also offer merino hats in autumn.

With this idea I can also combine two interests. On the one hand, the fun of thinking through and implementing concepts and, on the other hand, the pursuit of entrepreneurship.

Where did you need help, what were your biggest challenges?

Logically, I did a lot of research on the Internet and once spoke to an expert about importing goods via the component portal. Otherwise it's really just a lot of learning by doing.

How did the "Merino Shirt Campaign" develop?

The merino shirt campaign became a merino sock FBA Business. Although I would still like to carry out a merino hiking socks campaign, for example via crowdfunding.

What do you think is a "job with meaning" and what does it mean to you to act sustainably?

In this regard, I would like to refer to the book "Big Five for Life" by John Strelecky. Everything that you enjoy – something that you have to find out first – and that suits your personality usually makes a lot of sense.

If you could, what would you like to change immediately in the world of work?

Free time allocation and evaluation according to performance as well as purely intrinsically motivated employees.

What is the appeal of self-employment for you?

I am currently only self-employed as a part-time job. But here, too, it's all about free time management, direct payment through performance and independent work.

Could you imagine working (again or at some point) as an employee?

Since I'm currently still employed 100%, that's clarified ;)

What can you say from your experience to entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

Never let yourself be discouraged - not even by outsiders - and keep motivating yourself.