spruced by marlene

“Where do you see yourself five years from now?” I used to dread that question in job interviews. I could never quite figure out what the right answer should be. Because it probably wasn’t what I could truthfully hope or say (“I see myself being… happy?”). And I don’t think that’s necessarily what they wanted to hear. So whatever I came up with in these interviews, it was more something to satisfy them, less something I might’ve felt. Which typically was: “Well, I’m concerned with getting this job right now. I’ll think about later later.”

Later has come a bit closer since then – it’s called getting older, I guess – and I’m finding myself asking me that same question: Where do I see myself five years from now? Will my job still be right for me then and if not, what else is out there for me? Which isn’t always comfortable or easy. But what more than encourages me to put myself to the test is when I look at women like my friend Alexa.

After a few years of developing her own jewellery line, she recently opened her own shop: vonhey. A gut decision. She stood in front of the building when it was still being renovated and thought: If I don’t do this, I will regret it. So she carved out her own little corner in Berlin and filled it with things she loves. She’s since been joined by Melanie, who’s taken that same leap and started her own business, Petersen, a “collection of things for everyday”. You can find both labels in the shop (vonhey and Petersen), as well as a carefully curated selection of beautiful things, like art by Anton Unai (Anton Unai), dresses by Liebig (Liebig) and, proudly, hand-made leather clutches and bags by James (James Castle). Every time I visit the shop, I discover something else that I like. Alexa keeps bringing in new products and designs, so be sure to visit her and Melanie next time you walk down Brunnenstraße. It’s a lovely place. And a confirmation that it’s worth following through on what your heart tells you to do – now, rather than later.