In the middle of the corona pandemic, Franziska Weidner founded her company Food Trucks United – and to this day has not lost her conviction: the future begins with the decision to take things into your own hands.
Ms Weidner, what is currently exciting you most about your industry?
I am very fortunate to travel all over Germany and get to know many different facets of the industry. That is precisely what excites me. It is always varied. Anyone who is willing to evolve with the times and remain open to new things has the opportunity to stay right at the cutting edge. You don't have to rigidly stick to your own routine, but can change along with the times – and thus continue to be successful.
Where do you get your optimism, courage and drive for the future?
That is everyday work. I get up every morning and consciously ask myself: What do I want – and, above all, what do I perhaps no longer want? I don’t need the turn of the year, nor any special occasion, to change something. Nor do I need Valentine's Day to tell someone that I care about them. Every day I have the choice myself of how I react and what I make of my situation. That is a great piece of luck and a great gift. I draw a lot of courage from consciously reminding myself of what I have experienced, what I no longer want, and where I actually want to get to. When I have set my mind on something and really want it, I achieve it too. This courage arises from the desire to change the situation.
Which developments are you currently observing in particular?
I am rather cautious when it comes to robotics and artificial intelligence. We repeatedly experience that people come not just for the food, but for the people and the buzz that is created. That humanity we have in hospitality is something no one can take away from us. It will never be able to replace anything – certainly not me in my manner and my essence. That gives me strength.
What can we learn from the current changes?
The world never stands still – and that is why we should not stand still either. I did not let myself be deterred during the coronavirus period and founded my company. I believe we can always influence and decide ourselves how a situation affects us. So much depends on our own power of decision regarding what we want to make of the circumstances.
What personally gives you hope for the future?
Right now, the desire is simply to be happy and to make something out of what I have created. My colleague always says: „Franzi, actually it wouldn't matter at all. Even if you were selling socks, you'd do it with such perfection because you do everything you want to do really well.“ The awareness that what I do with heart and passion, I also do well, gives me a lot of strength.
What would you like to pass on to other entrepreneurs?
Just do it. Don't overthink, but actually dare to do it. I've set myself the goal that I never want to say, „What if?“ or „If only I had.“ That is precisely what I never want to have to reproach myself with later.
