Entrepreneurship : 1 MM from the EDGE

What I Learned in Conversation with Marcel Kringe ...

There you lie, in a hospital bed on the other side of the world, your startup out of reach.

The mind of an entrepreneur doesn't stop for a crash, even when your body has.

In an Australian hospital bed, thousands of miles from home, Marcel Kringe, the dedicated founder behind Bushel Plus Ltd., confronted a starkly new reality. As the ceiling seemed to move in reverse, this epitome of humble and hardworking entrepreneurship was forced to see his world from a different angle.

"It was a tough time, really rough. I ended up with a bunch of fractures in my upper body, and all I could do was lay there in bed, staring at the ceiling, pretty much strapped down. Those first few days were a blur; I didn't even know the extent of my injuries. The call home wasn't promising—they said I might not make it through the first night. Talking about life-changing events, this was definitely one of them. It's been a massive learning curve. When you asked about moving just a finger, it brought back those moments. My sister, she's incredible, a vet in Germany and so much more—podcaster, business coach, yoga teacher. She's done amazing things, like cycling across Europe solo, which is just mind-blowing to me. She's been a huge support, especially when she flew down to help me out in Australia, figuring out all the logistics, financial, and business stuff from my laptop because nobody else had any passwords. All this happened right after I'd quit my job to become self-employed. Then, the accident happened. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But we all made it out, and that's what matters most. It's a reminder of how quickly things can change and how important it is to have people in your life who will stand by you through it all."

How thin is the line between irreversible defeat and a comeback?

For Marcel, a master of precision engineering, survival hinged on the slimmest of margins: a mere 1 millimeter.

"There was this collision on a country road. By the time the rescue got to me, they figured out the damage was severe. I had 12 fractures down my spine, from top to bottom, starting at my neck. My left shoulder was nearly snapped in half, my ribs were broken, and I had a shattered rib cage. My left arm was a mess, and I had an open break in my pelvis.

The crazy part is, I’m here because nothing shifted. Despite all these fractures, the muscles and everything else held it all together. I could’ve been paralyzed multiple times over. I’ve got to give it to the first responders and the trained farmers who knew not to move me. And those flying doctors in Australia, they’re like STARS ambulance, getting me to the hospital from way out in the boonies.

The first few days and nights, I was out cold, not even sure if I’d make it. The doctors said I was a hair's breadth from needing a titanium shoulder, a hip replacement, or being in a wheelchair—or worse. But here I am.

And, you know, there's more to this story, about the people who stepped up. I could go on for another hour, but there are folks I met in Australia who just walked into the hospital, ready to help. Like this agronomist and his wife I'd spent time with before the accident—they flew to Perth and were with me day and night in intensive care until my sister could take over. They handled paperwork, communicated with people... they just took care of everything. These are the stories I really want to share."

The road to recovery is not for the feint of heart ... but as an entrepreneur ... Marcel ALWAYS wants to go FASTER ...

"There was a lot going on after the crash on that country road. The x-rays were like nothing the doctors had seen; I had to learn to walk again. The first physio sessions were just toe movements—it seemed so small, but everything was a step towards recovery. I was determined, telling them, 'I've got a company to run. We need to speed this up.'

The pain was so bad at first, no one knew if I was paralyzed. I'm grateful for the trained first responders and the flying doctors in Australia. They saved me. And everyone came out of that accident alive, which is the most important thing.

But being in a foreign country added layers of complexity—insurance, legal questions, the car, my driver's license. There was a long investigation, and at first, they suspected me because I was the foreigner. That took time to clear up that it wasn't my fault.

I want to share this story properly because it's important. It's about awareness, learning from my experience, and recognizing the incredible support I received. An Australian family took me in, taught me how to walk again, and helped me manage my back brace—a 'Miami brace,' in medical terms they called it.

I was in the hospital for about a month and a half, transitioning to outpatient physio. And all the while, my business back in Canada was being run by trustworthy people, for which I'm eternally grateful.

There's so much more to tell about the aftermath, the mental toll, and the long road to recovery. The people I met, the farmers who helped, the chain of over 60 people it took to contact my parents in Germany—it's a story of a community coming together across continents.

I don't want to rush this story. It deserves to be told right, to give credit where it's due. It's not just my story; it's a lesson on how quickly life can change and the impact of a community's kindness. And, if anything, it's a warning too—about the legal complexities you might face abroad and how to prepare for them. That's what I share in keynote talks at churches and other events—those critical takeaways."

Faith finds us even when we have gone far abroad ...

"I grew up with Christian values in Germany, but like many teenagers, I began to drift away and question my faith. Amidst this journey of self-discovery, the accident happened, and it was a family in Australia, originally from South Africa who came to my aid. They've become like a second family to me, deeply rooted in their Christian beliefs.

One day, still adjusting to my brace and crutches, they invited me to join them at their church gathering. I accepted, curious and open to the experience. As I entered, I was immediately embraced by the warmth of the community, with several members laying hands on me, offering prayers and well-wishes—a gesture that was both surprising and touching.

The pastor spoke that day about being strong and courageous, interpreting passages from the Bible in a way that resonated with modern life. It wasn't just about the historical Moses parting the sea, but about finding the strength and courage within ourselves in today's world—our battles, our entrepreneurship, our daily interactions.

Sitting there with my Australian 'mom', she nudged me, making sure I was absorbing every word. If I'd nodded off, given my still fragile state, it might have been disastrous, but her humor was well-placed, and it kept me engaged.

This experience sparked something in me. It reignited a flame of faith that I thought had dimmed. I continued to attend church, finding parallels between the pastor's words and modern motivational speeches. It struck me how timeless wisdom could be, and how it's been echoed throughout the ages.

My hosts, my new second family "one of many", they showed me it was okay to have questions about my faith. They assured me that questioning is part of being a believer—it's normal. That acceptance allowed me to embrace faith in a way that motivates and inspires.

So, I've come to understand that faith isn't just about the unquestioning acceptance of old stories; it's about the continuous search for meaning, relevance, and the shared human experience. It's about the original teachings that have influenced countless people across generations. And for me, it's about coming full circle, finding my way back to the beliefs I grew up with, but with a deeper understanding and a renewed sense of belonging."

Learning that your company can survive almost anything is a lesson worth living ..

"Absolutely, discovering that the company could not only survive but also thrive in my absence was an eye-opener. It challenged the idea that my personal identity needed to be intertwined with the business. Realizing that the company could self-manage was a game-changer—it meant scalability and the potential to create and oversee multiple ventures.

During my recovery, I had to adapt quickly. Despite being out of commission, I stayed connected with my team using WhatsApp and audio messages. It was a crash course in remote management, quite literally, setting the stage for what would become a norm during the COVID era.

What I learned most is the importance of structure and redundancy. Everything can't rely on a single person. We need robust systems, cross-training, and shared knowledge. This experience forced us to create those systems, which is something I'm incredibly grateful for.

Even after leaving the hospital, I continued to work remotely, guiding my team from afar to build an international business. This period proved that with the right people in place, the business could sustain and grow. It's a testament to the team I had then, especially the individual who later became my business partner for a few years.

Looking back, it was an invaluable lesson in organization and contingency planning. It's the mark of a solid company to move inventively and swiftly without depending on just one person. It's about the culture you create.

As we wrap up, it feels like we've covered some profound ground here, and it's hard to imagine what could surpass this last segment."

Hear my whole conversation with Marcel at growingthefuturepodcast.ca, or anywhere you hear podcasts ..