MBS Insights: If I’m right, you’ve also written your master’s thesis about your business idea. What exactly did you investigate and what were the objectives of your thesis?
Marisa Bogumil: The focus of my master’s thesis is cooperation with restaurants. I wanted to look at the feasibility of a business idea which had collaboration with restaurants at its heart. We can see certain challenges coming up after the pandemic, especially in relation to time management. Once normal service returns for restaurants, weekends might not be the best time for digital cooking events.
MBS Insights: Would you say that your MBA studies inspired you to found your own company or have you always had a certain entrepreneurial spirit? What skills from your studies have helped you to implement your business idea?
Marisa Bogumil: The MBA certainly played its part. The flagship course Innovation & Entrepreneurship is enormously helpful when it comes to founding a company. But there were all kinds of other modules and courses that provide methods and knowledge that can really help you on a project. However, the people you study alongside also have a big part to play. Everyone comes from a different background and has their own ambitions. There was an inspirational atmosphere during my studies, which really motivated me and gave me the course to pursue my dreams and give it a go.
MBS Insights: Cook-it-like went live in 2021. What have been the biggest hurdles and successes to date? Where will this journey take you next?
Marisa Bogumil: In the very beginning, one major challenge was starting a dialog with restaurants. During lockdown, the people we needed to talk to were often not in their restaurants and were very difficult to reach via email and telephone. However, that all changed after our first event and we even had chefs coming to us! We hope that online cooking events are just the beginning for us. Our vision is to create a platform to promote the topic of conscious, sustainable nutrition. We also plan to collaborate with farmers.
MBS Insights: And just one quick, final question: what is the most important tip you would give to young entrepreneurs?
Marisa Bogumil: If you just can’t get an idea out of your head, then do it! Don’t agonize over it, just make a start, even if it isn’t perfect. It’s easier said than done, but there’s not a lot else I can say just yet. It’s so fun to see what works and what doesn’t – but if you never try, you’ll never know.
