The Launch of Touch-Me

A year and a half ago, my husband and I changed course. After 20 years together, we suddenly became... colleagues. We embarked on the adventure called Touch-Me. A step that not only changed our life as a couple but also completely turned the dynamic between us upside down.

I called myself 'Sophie' and he was soon dubbed 'Hans from Finance' because honestly? In the beginning, he was so quiet and focused that I actually found him boring as a colleague!

"Nice kid, but don't tell me the details"

When the plans became more concrete, it was time to tell our environment. And that immediately led to some great reactions.

My father was incredibly sweet and wished me all the best in the world. He thought it was great that I was going to do something that truly made me happy... until he heard what exactly would be in our online store. He's still very happy for me, but he has subtly indicated that he'd rather skip the specific details!

My mother-in-law, on the other hand? She was so enthusiastic that she wanted to discuss the entire assortment with her friends from the dog club and English class right away. I don't know if that was such a great plan, but her enthusiasm was priceless. And our friends? They didn't hesitate for a second: "If you two can't do it after 20 years together, who can?"

Pulling an all-nighter and the magical Thursday

Yet, on our very first 'working day,' we truly had no idea where to start. We took our child to grandma for a sleepover and worked straight through an entire weekend. Spoiler: it was far from finished after that weekend.

But the most exciting moment was yet to come.

On a Thursday morning at 9:00 AM, we pressed the button. We were live.

The tension you feel then is indescribable. You sit staring at your screen, wondering if the lonely feeling of 'what have I gotten myself into?' will take over... and then it happens. At 2:00 PM that same afternoon: our very first order.

What a year and a half has taught us

Now, a year and a half has passed. It has been incredibly hard work, and entrepreneurship can sometimes feel surprisingly lonely, especially because the outside world doesn't always understand your work or the specific jokes.

But luckily, I had 'Hans from Finance' by my side. Building together, falling, celebrating, and laughing at things only we understand. After 20 years, I thought I knew him inside and out, but this journey has shown us a whole new side of each other. And I wouldn't have wanted to do it with anyone else.