Company: Maria fascinates - DAS Kosmetikinstitut

Founder: Maria Loeffler

Founding date: September 1, 2023

Industry and company: Cosmetics & Wellness

What drives you? What is your motto?

What drives me professionally are the happy and grateful faces of our customers and the great feedback we receive every day.

My motto comes from Charlie Chaplin: "Youth would be a better time if it came later in life." It is a humorous yet profound reflection on the passing of time and ageing. But that's what me and my team are here for: to help you turn back the hands of time and look younger, more vital and fresher.

What is your start-up about and what is special about it?

In addition to classic and medical cosmetic and wellness treatments, our Bio Fascial Method is a unique selling point. This 100% manual treatment method stimulates deep layers of the skin, tightens facial contours and smoothes wrinkles. We are the original, Bio Faszial is our brand and we provide training in this wonderful method at our affiliated Bio Faszial Academy.

What are your first successes?

One of our greatest successes has been to gain a large number of satisfied regular customers in a very short space of time who appreciate our exclusive treatments. And we have a really good feeling of success when customers come from further afield for a treatment. The record so far was a customer who traveled all the way from Berlin for a Bio Fascial treatment.

What is your professional background?

I've been working in the beauty world for decades. The most important milestone was my training as a state-certified beautician in Wiesbaden.

What prompted you to set up your own company?

The focus of my work changed after I completed my training as a fascia therapist. Traditionally, this method deals with the fascia in the legs, bottom, stomach... Fascia training, black rolls, Rolfing and other fascia formats have made their triumphal march around the world. I am now closing this gap with Bio Faszial, myofascial facial contour remodeling. Bio Faszial now accounts for the lion's share of my cosmetic treatments.

Who has advised you, who are your helpers and mentors?

The biggest source of inspiration, motivation and encouragement was and is my husband, who fortunately has a strong professional background in innovation management. Friends and industry experts were also a great help to me in developing the overall concept and building the brand.

How did you experience the first few days as a founder?

It was an exciting time to open the beauty institute and welcome the first customers. After the phase of intensive work in which everything was organized, it was now time to get the "horsepower on the road". And of course it was super exciting to see whether and how the concept would be accepted.

What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?

Visibility, visibility, visibility! The biggest challenge was quickly establishing ourselves as a new company in the cosmetics landscape in Wiesbaden. Or to use social media marketing correctly without burning money unnecessarily.

How do you draw attention to your company? What is your best marketing idea?

A lively Instagram account, a convincing website with good SEO and, of course, word-of-mouth advertising. And my car now also has stickers on it and advertises my team.

How did you finance your start-up?

100% own funds

What dream would you still like to realize?

Instead of my professional dream, I share my vision: "Maria fascinates - establishing THE beauty institute as a top address for holistic beauty care and non-invasive facial rejuvenation in Wiesbaden and the surrounding area."

Please complete the following sentence: If I had more time I would...

... spend more time in my studio and paint more. Because I am a passionate artist.

What is your special tip: What would you recommend to founders?

Authenticity and passion are the keys to success. And don't be afraid to ask for help.