With great attention to detail and a lot of courage Leyla's decoration business writes its success story

A cool February morning in Bielefeld. The rain is pelting our windshield and the first puddles have formed in the parking lot in front of Marktkauf Oldentrup. Weather that calls for tea and perhaps a hot bath. Nevertheless, we set off. Our destination: ALC Fliesen & Baddesign - the new decor store in the east of Bielefeld. We are greeted by founder Leyla Celebi. The bad weather is quickly forgotten. Because the atmosphere in the store is as inviting, warm and cordial as the owner herself.

‍

‍

"Design has always been my thing," explains Leyla Celebi. "I've dreamed of having my own decorating business for years, and I'm happy I took the step to start my own business." A step that has cost her a lot of courage, as she reveals to us. Just like other self-employed people, Leyla first had to throw her reservations overboard and take the plunge. But she was not alone in this. "My husband also dreamed of self-employment and starting his own tile business." A real stroke of luck. Because design and high-quality craftsmanship are an ideal combination.

‍

‍

Self-employment as a hurdle race

Today, the two businesses are also spatially linked and successful together. That is not a matter of course. Especially the first weeks and months are a real challenge for founders . In addition to the actual business idea, organizational issues such as choosing the right legal form or accounting must also be clarified. Even seemingly minor details such as a modern cash register system can make the crucial difference between success and failure.

‍

‍

The checkout system: small detail, big effect

We are curious and want to know how Leyla solved this challenge. "Successful self-employment is not a foregone conclusion, and the day-to-day tasks can quickly overwhelm you," Leyla reveals. "I therefore kept important processes as simple as possible right from the start. My cash register system from LocaFox, for example, has all the important functions, but is still extremely convenient to use," Leyla emphasizes. "Even my young daughter understood the system immediately." Of course, the cash register also reflects Leyla's penchant for design. After all, with the retro RK10 housing, she opted for a variant that combines a nostalgic look with modern technology. But the focus is on the functions. This allows her to concentrate fully on what's really important - her decorating business.

‍

‍

A feel for the wishes of customers

Leyla's love for decorative accessories, playful design and creative ideas is reflected in her store. Colorful vases stand here next to beautiful picture frames and even high-quality tableware is part of her assortment. Leyla is always redecorating the interior, getting inspiration and passing it on to her customers in a personal consultation. "Especially the exchange with the customers is something that drives me," says Leyla. Her display and range are correspondingly diverse. She constantly adapts both to the wishes of her customers, many of whom have remained loyal to her from day one. "There is a lot of love and heart and soul in our business. I am convinced that this is one reason for our success," emphasizes the store owner. "Although we have only been on the market for a short time, we already have a loyal regular clientele who trust in us."

‍

‍

As business grows, so does confidence

In fact, customer acquisition was no problem for Leyla. That's surprising, after all, most founders have to invest a lot of budget in advertising. "We have a great location here and through referrals we quickly gained numerous happy customers who are always happy to visit our decor store," explains Leyla. A development that she herself would hardly have thought possible. But as her success grows, so does the founder's self-confidence. And of course, self-employment scared her a little at the beginning. After all, one takes a financial risk. "But over the past few months, I have become more self-confident and have grown with the task. By the way, my German has also improved," Leyla emphasizes with a smile. So much courage and energy impress us. We therefore ask about Leyla's plans for the future. "I would like to expand and enlarge our business. But only time will tell when that will happen and whether we will have to change locations to do so."

As we leave Leyla's store, it is still raining. A look back shows the warm lighting of the shop windows and we are sure: Leyla will not regret the step into self-employment in the future.

You want to know more about Leyla's decoration business? Then visit her website, go to her Instagram profile or drop by her place.

‍