Entrepreneurs who want to sell their products on Amazon & Co. need a European Article Number (EAN). The 13-digit code, also known as a bar code, is used to identify the supplier and to identify the item internally. Mirko Sander is the founder of Barcode Germany. At the start-up based in the artist community Röhrsdorf in Saxony, customers can easily buy EAN numbers online and use them immediately.

Viking: How would you describe your career in three sentences?

More like continuous evolution than planned development. I started my career in the non-profit sector and then worked in various management positions in the private sector. At some point the opportunity arose to become my own boss. The previous stations prepared me for it.

Viking: How did the idea of ​​founding Barcode Germany come about?

With the birth of our two daughters, it was clear to me and my wife that I wanted to spend more time at home and have more flexibility to be there for my children. A friend from New Zealand forwarded an e-mail to me, after which the international administration of EAN numbers located there was looking for a sales partner in Germany. At first I was very skeptical and thought that this was the kind of scam sometimes sent by alleged Nigerian princes. But then I looked into it and saw that there really was a niche in the market because the other providers of EAN numbers are mostly based abroad and have little knowledge of German-speaking customers. They want to know everything exactly before they buy something and have many questions. That is why we at Barcode Germany rely heavily on good customer service and advice before and after the purchase. It has never been my dream to sell barcodes one day, but I gave in and I can feed my family and even hire two employees. The good thing is that I can run the online shop from anywhere. That’s why we moved from Hamburg two years ago and now live with friends and families in an old castle in Röhrsdorf.

Viking: What obstacles did you have to overcome?

My wife and I decided at the beginning that the company should be financially separate from the family, so that we are only liable with the company’s assets in case something goes wrong. That is why we have founded a limited liability company (UG). The main obstacle was getting all the necessary information. Back then these were not as easily available as they are today. With what I know today, I could found a UG in a few minutes.

Viking: What has been the greatest success of your career so far?

The greatest success for me so far is that I don’t have to worry about day-to-day business because the process of online orders, delivery of EAN codes and invoicing is largely automated. So I can organize my time flexibly and do volunteer work as well as for new projects. We have a lot to do with company founders who are just starting to sell their products on Amazon or eBay. It is nice to see how these founders also succeed with the help of our advice. An elderly lady who lives in Scotland can use an EAN number to place her souvenirs and gifts in retail stores. We wrote some of these success stories on our blog.

Viking: What is your favorite office item that you couldn’t do without?

I use the usual archiving systems and follow the sorting systems that are tried and tested. When it comes to office supplies, I invest in quality, whether it’s a hole punch or a printer. In the beginning I had a cheap printer and it only cost me time.

Viking: Who is your business model and why?

Steve Jobs – even if that is not particularly original. But he managed to make products not only useful, but also beautiful. I find his perfectionism inspiring.

Viking: How do you switch off after a working day?

I walk through the door of my home office, and I am with my family.

Viking: What advice would you give someone who wants to start their own business with an idea?

Just get started. In Germany nobody has to live on the street when a business goes bankrupt, there is a social network, so you can trust yourself. I also recommend that you rely on good customer service right from the start. There are cheaper providers than us, but the customers stay loyal to us because they know they can always call us.

Viking: What future plans are there?

We want to expand into Switzerland soon, after we are already successfully represented in Austria, with Austrian customer service. And there’s a new business idea: I started brewing beer some time ago. We are currently in the process of setting up a small brewery in the castle and want to hire people who would otherwise not find a job so easily. Everyone can learn to brew beer. In addition, the town’s only brewery closed during the GDR era, and we want to revive this tradition.

Viking: Thank you for the interview.