Strolling children in Bieber

As soon as you enter the store, you can tell that Stefanie Zahn is not lacking in energy. The young mother has taken over the bookshop in the center of Offenbach-Bieber and opened in January with a new concept. Her two children are just 3 and 6 years old. So not an easy game, is it? "I could never realize the project without the support of my husband and grandparents," the young woman admits frankly.

The trained travel agent worked for a tour operator for many years and made a career for herself. She has traveled a lot, loved her job and initially wanted to return part-time after two periods of parental leave. However, her previous interesting and varied job could not be realized on a part-time basis.

The employment relationship was therefore terminated. During this phase of her life, another plan sprouted in her mind. The bookshop in the heart of Offenbach-Bieber was looking for a successor. She had helped out here on an hourly basis during her parental leave and was asked if she could imagine taking over the store. Stefanie Zahn writes openly and authentically about all of this on her blog www.bummelkinder.de. She set up the blog because, having always loved traveling, she now wanted to share her passion for travel with her young family and let the rest of the world in on it. In the meantime, the blog has grown to include all kinds of topics of interest to young families in Offenbach and the Rhine-Main region.

The idea of self-employment had taken shape more and more. It was to become more than just a bookshop: a store for children's clothing - first and second hand - and beautiful things that you still need when you have small children. Events should take place: Craft afternoons, story time, "nightshopping for moms" and the like. The blog played an important role in marketing and other areas. The founder is also active on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Stefanie Zahn sought advice from the employment agency several times, where her start-up idea was evaluated positively. By the time she actually became unemployed, her desire to become self-employed was already clear. Thanks to the good advice and participation in information events for potential business founders, it was clear to her that she could apply for a start-up grant. The employment agency can support business start-ups if there is a remaining entitlement to unemployment benefit I of at least 150 days. The viability of the business idea must be confirmed by an expert body and the personal suitability for self-employment must be given.

The additional security (start-up subsidy) at the beginning naturally makes the step easier.

Stefanie Zahn

It is also checked whether there are any vacancies - these then have priority. Whether a start-up subsidy is granted is always at the discretion of the employment agency. In the first six months, the start-up subsidy amounts to as much as the individual unemployment benefit plus 300 euros per month. Later, it can be paid for a further nine months in the amount of 300 euros. You can also take out voluntary unemployment insurance. Would Stefanie Zahn have started her own business without the start-up grant? "Probably yes," she laughs, "but the additional security at the beginning makes it easier, of course." In the meantime, she has become an employer herself, as she already has an employee who enables her to work flexible hours and thus combine family and career.

Start-up grant:

Anyone intending to become self-employed from unemployment should always speak to their employment agency as soon as they have an initial idea. Appointments can be made by calling 0800 4 5555 00 (free hotline). The employment agency also holds an information event on the start-up grant on the first Monday of every month. The exact dates can be found in the event database at: www.arbeitsagentur.de (opens in a new tab)