Enterprenuer
After growing up in a cabinetmaking shop with her family, she was trained in textiles, furniture, and products design.
She also worked in partnership for ten years. Barbara Gollackner now has her studio in Salzburg.
Her techniques show how formatting should look beyond the surface.
Barbara is a specialist in interior design product design and has a preference for conceptual work that crosses many disciplines.
Her passion for networking, sharing experience and knowledge, and curiosity about new materials and methods are at the forefront.
What is the story of you get the idea for your studio?
Europeans throw away 90 Mio Tons of food per year, and at the same time, we use nearly 30 Mio Tons of single-use-tableware.
One day, I was struck by these facts, and the idea of “Wastewater” grew in my mind.
What if we connected the two issues and tried to solve the problem for both?
How do you stay productive?
My morning routine starts at 5:45 am. I wake up early and sit in silence in my kitchen, sipping a perfect cappuccino and thinking about the day ahead. (I have three children) I get up at 8:30 to go to my studio in Salzburg.
I usually do this by biking. Then, I start my workday with the same routine – a cup of coffee with Peter, my friend, and colleague, and we talk about the upcoming tasks and keep us informed.
My job as a product design professional is very flexible.
There’s no set routine. Some days I have appointments.
Other days I spend 6 hours at my computer. On other days, I draw in the sun.
Because I have three children, I rarely work more than 8 hours a day.
I spend my days with them, and I start work again in the evenings. I think that this is a key to productivity.
I don’t have unlimited hours to use my time very efficiently. In between, I make time for other things and create.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Although it sounds trivial, I believe that passion and hard work are essential to the idea’s success.
Having a unique and creative idea is not the only thing necessary.
The “Wastewater” project has been in my hands for over two years.
It’s taken me endless hours of research, trial and error, experimentation, and starting again.
Passion is a passion. You must be willing to dig deep and go far.
What’s your favorite trend?
Every designer has experienced a quantum leap in 3D printing.
Now we can check our designs IRL, create small collections, and be much more independent. So-called””new material””? I’m curious and excited about the latest developments.
I believe we will see a revolution in materials over the next few years, and my grandchildren will be wondering what all that plastic thing was about.
What habits make you productive?
Because I have to organize my life as an entrepreneur and my life as a single mum of three kids, I am the best in time management…..give me a day with hundreds of appointments, and I will still get it done..;)
What’s your advice for the Noob?
You can’t force certain things in your life. Certain items require the right time to occur.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
You must be willing to make great sacrifices to build a career in professional service. Although it’s not pleasant to hear, the truth is hard.
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
Take care of yourself. As an entrepreneur, it is your responsibility to take care of yourself.
Set boundaries and take time for yourself. Your business can only do as well as you.
What’s your rich strategy?
Sorry, no strategies, no advice. I’m not very strategic. I did what I was passionate about and felt competent to do.
How do you overcome Failure?
I was ashamed to ask for proper compensation for my work and worked for little or no money. I had to provide for my family, and I needed to survive.
I finally understood that I could not afford to lose this opportunity. Or I find another job, and it all works out.
Can you share a business idea?
The Design-Emergency Room is an open, limited consultation room for small design questions such as” “which chair should I choose for my 100-year-old table”
What’s your recent best buy?
My children and I took the Bamboo-Rafting trip on a jungle river in Thailand.
I love the world. I want my kids to see it all and understand the differences between people.
I believe this will lead to a more respectful, grateful, and tolerant lifestyle.
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
Although it isn’t very original, cloud storage has made everything easier.
This is especially true when it comes to interior design.
There are many times when you need information simultaneously as your office.
Which book would you recommend?
It is difficult for me to answer this question because I cannot find a book.
However, work-wise, I would recommend” Materials In Progress – Innovations For Designers And Architect” by Sascha Petes and Diana Drewes.
This book is a constant source of inspiration.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Perfection is the greatest enemy to progress” This is so true. Many people don’t finish something or move forward because they want perfection. I consider perfection a construct. Sometimes, you just need to have the courage to present something, even if it’s not perfect.
Amanda Palmer
TL;DR by Barbara Gollackner
- In the coming years, new and sustainable materials will change the game. Our grandchildren will wonder what all that plastic was about.
- Productivity is about variety. Take the time to work hard, be focused, and then take some time to relax. Then you can have a cup or two of coffee and get back to work.
- The greatest ideas will never come to fruition by themselves. Without passion and hard work, nothing will grow.
