INTERVIEW

Was it always your wish to take over the company?
More or less, even as a small child I was often in the business. As a private entrepreneur, it was difficult to get a kindergarten place in GDR times. As soon as I grew up, I picked up the tools and it interested me from childhood. I practically grew up here and grew into the business and the work. So the question of another profession didn’t even arise for me.

What products and services do you offer?
We offer glasses for all ages and budgets. We also offer contact lenses. We measure eyes ourselves, we also do eye tests for driving schools and we make home visits for customers who can’t reach the store. For them, I measure the eyes directly at home and also take a small selection of glasses. This way, customers who are no longer mobile can still benefit from our services.
In the future, I would also like to offer visits to nursing homes and care facilities.

What is special about your job?
It’s very varied and there are two areas. One is the work with people. It’s very individual.
The other side is that my job is a skilled trade. It’s basically miniature repairs. It’s a fantastic profession. Because technology is constantly evolving, there’s always new information to pick up. I’m constantly reading technical papers; there’s no other way. Also, the devices used to measure the eyes are becoming more sophisticated. They are now small computers. After all, each eye is individual. Nevertheless, both eyes have to be re-measured sensitively. The Internet can’t do that.

Were there any challenges during the takeover, or what is difficult?
That’s not so easy to answer. Not during the takeover itself, that was a smooth transition. What is difficult is that sometimes customers come to us who have ordered glasses on the Internet and they don’t fit at all or have the wrong values. That’s when we help.
As I said before, the Internet also lacks the personal fitting of the glasses, the personal advice and the service of the customer. The Internet can’t offer all that.

What does Forst mean to you?
Forst is my hometown and the city of roses. Events, like the Steamrose Festival in 2019, I think they’re great. I would like to see that more often. Also events like midnight shopping are always very nice, half of Forst is on the street.
Another nice idea is the design of Cottbuser Straße with the colorful bicycles. It makes the cityscape more attractive and reflects Forst as a bicycle and rose city.