Change begins in our thinking- an interview with Tim, Co-Founder of OnReach

When it comes to marketing, there are many marketers who primarily focus on KPIs in the form of data, facts and figures. Even though these are certainly important, one aspect is often not considered at all or too briefly: Authenticity! I myself have often noticed that I encounter advertising or messages that I generally consider to be correct, but simply do not consider them to be authentic in relation to the company or the people behind them, and thus tend to associate negative thoughts with the company/person despite a principally good message.

Tim and his co-founder Mathias noticed exactly this problem 3 years ago and founded the marketing agency onReach.  I had the chance to meet Mathias myself a few months ago, when we recorded podcast #72 of their podcast series "Gründerleben" together.

At our first conversation, I already noticed a lot of similarities with Tim. We both share the view that great changes can only succeed if we all start with ourselves in our circle of control. We also have similar views when it comes to learning. True to the motto: #Student4life, Tim also believes it is very important to always keep on learning. He does this by reading, talking to experts, developing projects, and traveling to new places.

Please enjoy this lovely interview with Tim.

How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

I would say I am a strategically thinking and warm-hearted individual, that continuously strives for positive impact for all, by applying knowledge at the right place in the right form.

What do you get up for in the morning?

Every day offers new possibilities to grow (personally, as society, and in wisdom), and make great things happen - not in a day, but day by day. For this opportunity, and the people I get to share these experiences with, I jump out of bed at 6:30am, quite automatically.

How did you and your co-founder meet and how did it all start?

We met at university and from our first meeting, I instinctively felt that there was something special about him. I decided to talk to him, and the rest is history: a wonderful friendship was born, and we developed a special bond that led us to start several ventures together. In May 2019, we founded onReach together, which we bootstrapped 100%, and started with just the two of us. Today we have a wonderful team, and have also been honored not only by numerous awards and encouraging feedback, but most importantly by great clients we get to work with, and impactful projects we are involved in.

Why did you found onReach?

We wanted to disrupt the market with a high-quality, authentic, honest, and customer-centered service, that solves real problems, pushes advertized sub-standard products from the market, and returns to the core of marketing: Matching high-quality, and valuable (!) offers with humans, that want or need an ideal solution.

What was your first entrepreneurial activity?

I see entrepreneurship as a process of growth, though I couldn't pinpoint one activity that "started it all" if I tried. I began my own projects and taking responsibility for multiple people, that were relying on me, in my mid-teens.

Why are you a founder and in your view, what makes a good founder?

As a founder, I can simply take full responsibility for my life and its course, living it in the way that is healthiest (in every way), most impactful and meaningful to me - bringing valuable ideas to life, and building new things from the ground up.

1) Just like in marketing, for me, the most important characteristic of a founder is authenticity! 2) Taking leadership responsibility (for yourself, the customers and the team). 3) And generally knowing (or learning - we all learn!) how, where, and when to use the right tools and knowledge. 4) Last but not least: Enjoying being a founder!

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

The world's attitude. Change begins in our thinking.

And last but not least, what have been the 3 most important learnings for you in the last few years as an entrepreneur?

1) Standing still is fatal. 2) If you move without values (or even with false ones), you will make no progress at all or only with difficulty. 3) If you move fast without trust, without people you can rely on (that includes yourself), and without constant growth and self-reflection, you'll easily end up in the ditch.