Take Katie Clemons. Originally from the Midwestern United States, Katie moved to Berlin with her husband last summer—quite a change from the small-town life she had been used to. Around the same time she decided to start her own business—a custom-made journal shop called Gadanke. Katie now runs Gadanke from home, whether that home is the tiny apartment she and her husband own in Berlin or the “Earth Ship” they rent for summer stays in America.
A passionate “journaler” for her entire life, the decision to start a journal shop came naturally, though, Katie says, the prospect of running her own business was a daunting prospect at first. But so was settling into life in a new country, and she took both challenges head on.
Katie’s love of stories also led her to start a blog called Making This Home, which has helped connect her to the expat community and share her experiences of expat life in Berlin.
From the joy of being able to bike to class, to the challenges of learning German, Making This Home is filled with tips for freshly landed (or soon-to-be) expats. Katie’s Expat’s Guide to Life in Germany, for example, includes explanations of German holidays and settling in, as well as practical advice on household issues like finding a washing machine and understanding the German recycling system.
Starting and running your own business comes with a lot of freedom, as well as its own unique set of pitfalls, successes, and challenges. So I got together with Katie to ask her about her business, her blog, and expat life in Berlin.
YG: Tell us a little about your business, Katie.
Gadanke is a handmade, writing-prompt journal shop. My journals are filled with inspiring and unique writing prompts, European and American papers, and pockets to help you document life. They are meant to help create the type of journal you'll treasure—whether it's about you, where you live and travel, or someone you love.
YG: How did you get started?
I opened an etsy shop last summer—one week before I took my flight exam to be a pilot and two weeks before my husband and I moved back to Germany. I was so excited and moved by this project that I just had to go for it. The timing was awful. But in my heart, I felt like I have never felt about a creative project. After wonderful feedback, I opened www.gadanke.com in April.
YG: Why journals?
My husband and I were visiting my hometown to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday. NPR's StoryCorp was in town to invite people to share their stories while a loved one interviewed. My dad and I thought it could be a really beautiful opportunity for my grandma to share some of her stories. Kind of like a little birthday treat.
I created a list of prompts and questions for my grandma—much like the tricks I had learned for my journaling. My grandma and I practiced a little over a bowl of ice cream, then stepped into the recording bus.
The problem was my grandma couldn't remember it all.
Later she tried writing her story about college and meeting my grandfather. You can imagine how much she struggled. Too much time had gone by.
My dad turned to me and said, “Katie, I need you to write about what life is like for you today.”
I’ve been writing and journaling my entire life. The pieces just came together as I thought about how I could help others celebrate their stories.
YG: Can you tell us what the average working day of a journal shop owner and blogger is like?
I don’t think I’ve experienced an average day yet! I’m constantly learning and coming up with new ideas to explore.
YG: Running your own business certainly allows for a lot of freedom, but also a lot of unique challenges. What have you found those challenges to be? And what are the unique joys of running your own business?
The hard part is that you have to do everything. Everything! You have to wear all the hats, and sometimes you don’t want to put on some of them. But the joy is so great, because when something wonderful happens, you know that you are the reason. Your dedication is the reason for its happening.
YG: Running a business from home is a dream a lot of people have. What are the pros and the cons?
When do you start? And when do you finish? Since we always live in small spaces, my desk is right next to the bed. I just have to know when to be done. That said, there are the days where I’ll do a little work in my pajamas before getting dressed!
YG: Any tips for those dreaming of starting a business of their own?
I would urge you to take a leap. I made my very first journals, moved to Germany, and didn't actually start selling my products until a month later. I was just so nervous. It's natural to be nervous no matter how much you believe in the product that you have created. But at some point, you have to take the jump if it’s what you truly, truly want. And I promise - it’s worth it when you do!
If you'd like to read more about Katie's experiences living in Berlin, check out her blog Making This Home. To find out more about Katie's handmade journals, visit the Gadanke site or facebook page. Thanks for your time Katie, and best of luck!
