Can Ecological and Economic Sustainability Coexist? Is Burnout a Luxury Problem? – Fabian Eckert, recup

About this episode

Fabian Eckert and his co-founder identified a concrete societal problem with recup: 13 million tons of single-use waste need to be reduced. Their solution? Offering cafes and restaurants high-quality reusable products to make a significant impact on the waste problem.

The Success Formula of recup

What sets recup apart from the competition? This question stands at the beginning of every founder story. For Fabian and his team, the key lies in concrete problem-solving: while many companies talk about sustainability, recup offers a practical alternative to the single-use waste problem.

Business Model and Evolution

recup's business model has continuously evolved over the years. From the first steps to today, it shows how important it is to remain flexible and adapt the model to market needs. The development also demonstrates how the balance shifts between active sales and inbound inquiries.

From Cold Calling to Inbound Inquiries

Like many successful startups, recup began with active sales – the famous "cold calling." But with growing awareness and market presence, more and more companies now approach recup directly. This development shows the success of brand building and trust development within the target audience.

Strategic Partnerships

Partner companies with similar target audiences play an important role in reaching new customers. Successfully structuring such cooperations requires clear frameworks and a win-win mentality. Fabian shares his experiences on how to successfully build and maintain such partnerships.

Ecological and Economic Sustainability

One of the central questions for any sustainable company: Can ecological and economic sustainability go hand in hand without becoming greenwashing? Fabian explains how recup maintains the balance between positive impact and economic sustainability, and why genuine sustainability is also economically successful in the long term.

The Toughest Founder Decisions

Every founder journey is marked by difficult decisions. Fabian looks back on the hardest moments of recent years and shares which decisions were particularly painful – but also what he learned from them. This honesty is valuable for other founders facing similar challenges.

Internationalization as a Future Option

Is a shift in focus toward internationalization up for debate at recup? Fabian provides insights into strategic considerations and shows when and how internationalization makes sense for a sustainable company.

Smart Investments in Brand Building

How do you invest money wisely in your own brand as a founder? This question concerns many startup founders, especially in the early stages. Fabian shares his experiences and gives practical tips on how to approach brand building strategically without breaking the budget.

Burnout: Luxury Problem or Real Challenge?

Is burnout a luxury that only a few can afford? Fabian gets very personal and shares his own experiences with burnout. This openness is remarkable, as the topic is often taboo in the founder community.

Communication and Solution of the Burnout Challenge

How did Fabian communicate his burnout challenge and solve it for himself? His answers show that openness and professional help are the key. At the same time, he makes clear that it's important not to romanticize the issue, but to develop concrete solution approaches.

Fabian's story with recup demonstrates: genuine sustainability and economic success are compatible – but only with the right strategy, perseverance, and willingness to speak openly about difficult topics.