Crafts: Women take the lead

They establish and manage successful craft businesses. They engage in volunteer work and provide training. "Women Take the Lead": This is the title of a successful event series organized by the Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts and Trades.

This article is part of the special feature on women in the trades.

Sandra Gronemeier is said to have once said after a few beers, "Tailoring is my yoga." And the successful master tailor doesn't want to completely deny this statement. She is passionate about running her own business, offers training, is the master craftsman of the ladies' tailors' guild and on the board of the state association, is a member of the board of the Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts, and is an expert witness and honorary judge at the labor court. 

And with this career, the East Westphalian native has won over everyone who once turned up their noses when she decided to train as a tailor after school, when her classmates moved away to study, and her parents had hoped for a banking apprenticeship for their daughter. "That's a typical woman's job," her father would have said, shaking his head. And: "How are you supposed to make a living from that?" 

And you can still make a living from it – even as a woman

(from left): Department Head Claudia Schulte, Chamber General Manager Dr. Axel Fuhrmann, Board Member Sandra Gronemeier, and Janine Kirchmair, KISO Hairlounge, Willich. Photo: © HWK Düsseldorf / W. Meyer

Sandra Gronemeier, with great ambition and continuous professional development, has shown everyone how it's done. Her fashion atelier, Gronemeier Couture, is known far beyond the borders of the state capital.

Such career paths were plentiful on the podium and in the audience at the "Women Take the Lead " event hosted by the Düsseldorf Chamber of Skilled Crafts . Female founders and managers (and those aspiring to be) came to the chamber for presentations and networking. Claudia Schulte, head of the chamber's business consulting service, organized the event for the fourth time.

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"Untapped target group"

There is a closed Facebook group called "HWK Düsseldorf - Women Take the Lead." The group is managed by Claudia Schulte, Head of Business Consulting. Just get in touch with her! The Chamber of Skilled Crafts has made it one of its key priorities for several years to identify female craftspeople as early as possible in their career considerations, to advise and empower them in their thoughts on entrepreneurial self-employment, and to provide supportive guidance throughout the process.

"Because women are the largest untapped target group when it comes to qualifications at the master craftsman level , starting a business and taking over a business ," said Claudia Schulte.

The participants had plenty of opportunities to network and experienced interesting workshops on topics such as brand building, digitalization and employee retention.

Use the advice of your chamber

Tip: Female founders and entrepreneurs in the skilled trades who would like support on these or other topics can contact the advisors at their local Chamber of Skilled Crafts at any time. The consultation is free!