Robin Balser, 33, founded the vintage fashion retailer Vinokilo – a long-standing success story. Vinokilo/Roz Woodward via Getty Images
He is on the same Forbes 30 under 30 list as Greta Thunberg: Purpose was always more important to Robin Balzer than prominent VCs, rapid growth, a quick IPO. Things went well for a long time: Balser’s startup, the flea market organizer Vinokilo, made millions in sales with pop-up flea markets – without investors or bank loans.
Then, exactly a year ago, Vinokilo went bankrupt. The listing in the insolvency register on his 32nd birthday was also a moment of relief for Balser, whose company had already been on the ropes for more than three years at that point.
“I was never afraid of bankruptcy,” says Balser. He sees it the American way: ‘Fail fast and often!’ Nevertheless, he wishes he had known some things earlier and decided differently. Which, he tells us on a gray Tuesday afternoon via video call.
Balser speaks openly, but tiredly, always taking breaks to think. It will be a personal conversation: about entrepreneurial gut feelings, regrets and how much idealism a startup can tolerate when the world is upside down. Sometimes the 33-year-old seems torn: there is shame – and pride.