Meet our Partner: Sophia Rödiger

Sophia Rödiger is CMO of 1KOMMA5° and founder and entrepreneur herself. She is a partner of STELP with her company MountainMinds. A stroke of fate forced her to experience the finite nature of life first-hand. Now she wants to use her good fortune and privilege to give something back to the world.

Ann-Kathrin Frank
31. Oct 2023
Partner Interview, Stuttgart

Interview

STELP: Hey Sophia. Before we start, what was your first point of contact with STELP?
Sophia Rödiger:Credits go to my MountainMinds partner Lukas. We wanted to find a local donation project that really puts 100% of the donations into the projects and that we can actively participate in. I myself would like to do a mission on site soon.

STELP: What has been your most formative STELP moment so far?
Sophia Rödiger: The Yoga for Good events have a very special energy for me. They are a stop-moment in our fast-paced everyday lives, where we connect with others and reflect on what is really important right now.

My most formative moment was the Gala 2022: an interplay of emotions: between stories of experiences from the worst crisis areas, Michelin-starred cuisine and several hundred thousand in the donation pot. The contrasts were so moving that you almost couldn’t put the food down!

I think it’s important to keep reminding ourselves of these privileges, this good fortune that we have to live where we are. It doesn’t always have to be so blatant!

STELP: And what characterizes the STELP team for you?
Sophia Rödiger: A clear mission, incredible commitment and a bit of crazy (over)courage – the team gives everything for the cause.

STELP: Where does your incredible motivation to support STELP come from?
Sophia Rödiger: Firstly, I am absolutely behind the development of STELP. As a company, it was particularly important for us to find an initiative where we are absolutely sure and also know through transparency that 100% of the money goes to projects and that the people who work there are actively involved in the crisis areas on the ground.

On the other hand, I have a very personal connection to STELP. Serkan, as the founder and also as the role model and face of this initiative, once spoke of an experience where he came face to face with the finite nature of life. Because of my own medical history, I know exactly what he is talking about with this experience. And that connects us. I believe that in the end, once you have experienced such humility, you ask yourself: What is the meaning I am creating? What is perhaps the greater purpose of investing my life and everything I have into this? We are very privileged.

We are very lucky to be in this place at this moment and to have been born here in this moment of happiness. And that’s exactly what I want to bring out into the world and give back. The partnership at STELP is a great opportunity to do this.

STELP: Which aid project is particularly close to your heart and why?

Sophia Rödiger: I am particularly interested in the projects in which we build infrastructure in the long term, i.e. in schools, settlements or local hospitals. Like in Tanzania or Turkey.

STELP: Describe STELP in one word.

Sophia Rödiger: #Stuttgarthelps

Have we sparked your interest in our partner program? More info and the registration form can be found here.

Meet our Partner: Iris Hammer

Iris Hammer is not only a partner at STELP, she is also one of our longest supporters. As a volunteer, she is also involved in our non-profit café NATAN and has become an integral part of the STELP & NATAN family.

Meet our Partner: Mihaela Manachidis

Mihaela Manachidis is a partner of STELP with her beauty salon. From Afghanistan to Beirut: STELP's commitment has touched her deeply and inspired her to stand up for people in need. An interview about courage and gratitude.

Meet our Partner: Luka Puda

Luka Puda has taken STELP merch to a new level this year with his label Lust und Liebe. In the partner interview, he reveals how a joint mission with Serkan in Lebanon led to a collaboration.

Meet our Partner: Andrea Herold und Tina Kammer

This month we introduce you to our partners Andrea Herold and Tina Kammer. With their company InteriorPark, they advise companies on all aspects of sustainability strategies. In this interview, they explain how their day-to-day work also fits in with the work of STELP.

Meet our Partner: Trajanos (Aki) Sipakis

This month we introduce you to Aki, who not only supplies many companies in Stuttgart with his drinks business, but also supports our non-profit bar NATAN. In this interview, he reveals why Aki not only supports us with drinks, but has also been a partner of ours for a long time.

Meet our Partner: Verena Mayer und Mirco Wüstholz

This time we would like to introduce you to a STELP partner who has supported us from the very beginning and has had a huge impact on STELP: Our lead agency Von Helden und Gestalten. Whether it's our first real logo, our City Light poster campaign or the design of our non-profit café NATAN - "the heroes" have made everything possible for us so far and supported us with every idea, no matter how crazy. In this interview, they tell us how they came to STELP in 2016.