From East German Girl to Globetrotting Entrepreneur

This woman's secret is NOT what you think.

Courage to:

Embrace the Unconventional: She defied societal norms by marrying an older man and forging her own path, demonstrating that happiness can be found outside of traditional expectations.

Speak Your Truth: She fearlessly shared her political views with a large audience in a non-native language, highlighting the power of authentic self-expression.

Leap into the Unknown: Whether starting businesses, speaking at political rallies, or exploring new countries, she consistently demonstrates a willingness to step outside her comfort zone and embrace new challenges.

Empower Other Women: She dedicates herself to helping women achieve financial independence and create lives they love, fostering a sense of community and support.

Meet

Katja Groesser

Q: Tell us a bit about your background. 

I was born in Eastern Germany as the third of four children, meaning I grew up in a country that no longer exists. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, I quickly learned the importance of adapting to new situations and focusing on solutions rather than problems. Opportunities are always there—you just have to seize them.

After finishing school with a high school diploma, I started studying but soon realized it wasn’t for me. I craved independence, wanted to earn my own money, and experienced life directly. I found all of that when I met my husband a year later—me at 19 and him at 48. The age difference never mattered to me; those are just numbers. Together, we’ve worked independently, running various businesses and exploring new ventures. The knowledge and experiences I’ve gained over the last 30 years go far beyond what any university could have taught me.

We’ve worked across Germany, Turkey, and Thailand, gaining incredible insights in different fields, all of which helped shape the person I am today. Now, I run my own online business, which perfectly fits our lifestyle because I can do it from anywhere in the world.

Q: If you had to choose an SEO keyword for your life, what would it be? 

It’s not a traditional SEO keyword, but it’s one of my personal mantras, something I learned early on after meeting my husband: "Doesn't work, doesn't exist!"

Q: What are your hobbies, passions, obsessions, or what excites or inspires you? What sets your soul on fire?

My biggest passion—and even obsession—is teaching. I love sharing the simplicity of life, discussing money, and talking about online business. I enjoy showing how easy it can be to live well. Over the past 30 years, I’ve learned that it doesn’t take much to truly love your life. The key is mindset and how we view the world around us.

I’m naturally optimistic and love focusing on solutions. Discovering life coaching opened my eyes to so many things, making my life easier, and now I could talk and write about it for hours. Alongside finances, it’s my true passion.

Q: What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? 

One evening, after enjoying a lovely time with Turkish friends, one of them—a lawyer who is very active in politics—invited me to speak at a meeting for CHP, Turkey's second-largest political party. The event was in Antalya, where we live.

During our conversation, we discussed politics, a topic I’m passionate about. I shared my belief that Turkey needs a leader who can inspire and encourage the people with a positive vision for the future. To my surprise, I was invited to speak at the event, and without much thought, I said yes. I still don’t quite understand how I agreed so quickly! I wrote my own speech, which our friend kindly revised.

When the day arrived, the event had attracted so many people that we had to move from a smaller theater to the largest hall available. I still thought there would be plenty of other speakers, but as the event began, I realized there were only three: the chairman of the party for Antalya, myself, and then the chairman of the party for all of Turkey. Had I known this beforehand, I probably would have backed out of speaking in front of hundreds of people, especially in a language that’s not my native one!

But to my surprise, the audience was incredibly enthusiastic. By the end of the event, people were lining up to take photos with me!

Q: Why do you write on Substack? 

I have a blog in German where I help women take control of their finances, pay off debt, and start building wealth. Initially, I used Substack for this German blog to publish both free and paid newsletters. I love the platform for its unique features, which go beyond what a typical website or blog offers.

This year, I decided to launch a second website, this time in English, where I help women achieve financial freedom by earning more, saving more, and living more freely. To reach new readers, I once again chose Substack as my platform. In the meantime, I deleted my German publication since German isn’t as widely supported on Substack, and I wanted to simplify my workload.

What makes Substack special is its combination of blog, community, engagement, and social features. It’s a fantastic place not only to attract new readers and subscribers but also to connect with other creators and continue growing as a business owner.

Q: What are your values as a writer/creator/leader? 

As a writer, my core values are authenticity and providing genuinely helpful information and tips. I share my personal experiences because I believe they are the most valuable insights I can offer, and they allow me to inspire, motivate, and support other women. It’s like I’m guiding my former self, helping her learn the lessons I needed at the time. I’ve been where many of my readers are today, and that’s what makes this journey so meaningful to me.

Q: How do you connect with your readers/team? 

I primarily connect with my readers through email. For my German membership program, I now host a monthly live Q&A session where I answer important questions. I love direct communication and plan to expand this further. I also make it a point to respond to every email from my readers—I haven’t missed a single one yet.

Q: Why did you join the Connected Community project, and how do you find it so far? 

I joined because Magdalena invited me, and I absolutely love the idea of being part of a connected community, especially with such powerful, inspiring, and motivating women who are great role models, no matter their field. Reading all these different stories is incredibly enriching, and I’m honored to share mine here as well.

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Katja Groesser

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