Hats off to this week's inspirer - Reimar Westerlind - 94-year-old entrepreneur in the textile industry. Founder of ACG Gruppen AB, which he built himself from scratch and which today consists of 12 subsidiaries with a total of 250 employees.

Inspiration of the week - Reimar Westerlind

‍

Reimar, you have had the opportunity to work and are still working on building and developing businesses; what drives and motivates you?

"I enjoy working, it's the most fun I know! And I only work on what I enjoy, so I can work as much as I want, I never get tired. When the company was going through a difficult period, I needed to clear my head, so I started playing the violin. By then I was over 70! I'm motivated by the privilege of going to work, sharing the joy with colleagues when we do something good, but also taking responsibility when things go to hell! Because that happens too..."

What is the secret to building as many businesses as you have?

"ENJOYMENT! It starts with this... it's the most important thing of all. But it can also be a scourge sometimes - I think too many things are fun - then you get a lot to do but things also happen! And everything can always be a little better. If you are curious and want to do things a little better, companies develop!

Equally important is PEOPLE - I am incredibly curious about people and keep in touch with "good people". And it has happened more than once that when I haven't had a job for a good person in one of my companies, we have started another company...! The people in a company are at least as important, if not more important, than both the products and all the processes!"

What advice and tips can you share to have a successful and "in every way" rewarding working life?

"Find a good wife to marry and live with" - Relationships are the most important and valuable thing we have and relationships need to be nurtured - both with the person(s) we live with and the circle of friends we spend time with in our private lives. But also our professional relationships. I have regularly celebrated New Year's Eve with our very first client - this year it will be the 57th time!

And finally, some extra tips: don't change your bank, accountant or wife! And use lawyers as little as possible... what you don't really understand yourself - screw it - otherwise it usually ends up with lawyers. But we have always had a good company lawyer attached to the company.

And finally, don't stress - pick up the pace instead!"

‍