Christoph’s Journey: From Engineering Roots to Innovation and Sustainable Growth at Mimea
Christoph is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience that spans engineering, software development, and sustainable business practices. Originally from Germany, he relocated to the UK and after moving to a small software start-up, Christoph led a dynamic software development team for 23 years before diving into the world of e-commerce with Mimea. His passion for sustainability and hands-on approach to business have been instrumental in shaping Mimea’s innovative model, which focuses on providing high-quality botanicals to customers in accessible quantities.
Can you introduce yourself, your background personally and professionally?
Originally from Germany, I moved to the UK over 30 years ago. I started my working life at Bosch in Munich as a Mechanical Engineer, got more and more involved in Electrics and Electronics and developed a fascination with computers when the first PCs evolved. After to moving to the UK, I joined a small software start-up company, leading an ever-growing software development team for about 23 years. During that time, I moved to rural Norfolk with 3 small kids and re-kindled my interest in farming, self-sufficiency and sustainability, which ultimately lead to my involvement with Mimea after Ben, who I have known for many years, acquired the business of Joseph Flach & Sons.
What are your best personal qualities and how do you feel these have impacted the business and culture at JFS/Mimea?
I love being hands-on and getting involved in all aspects of the business and helping others whenever and wherever needed. We have a fantastic team here at Mimea and although we have grown over the years, we have managed to keep the family vibe. I hope that comes across when we treat our customers and suppliers with the same friendly and caring attitude. I will always try my best, as anyone at Mimea does, to assist with any queries or support our customers in achieving their objectives.
What is your favourite part of your job?
I love being in the actual warehouse and dealing with the products and learning more each day about the many uses and benefits of our botanicals. But as in any service industry, the best part is when you were able to help one of our customers or a supplier to achieve their aims and made someone’s day by finding the right solution for them.
What are you most proud of at Mimea?
Over the past 3 years my focus has been to create Mimea, a sister company to Joseph Flach & Sons. Mimea is based on a different business model and does allow us to reach different customers and businesses via different channels. Mimea is online, more direct, able to sell in smaller quantities to meet the needs of smaller businesses, retail customers or even customers who now and again need smaller quantities or quick turnaround times. We built our own e-commerce site, established relationships with retail channels such as eBay and Amazon and logistic partners to enable us to provide a next day service, while at the same time incorporating all the best practices and procedures from JFS. We have achieved a lot over the past few years and there is a lot to be proud of, but there is also still a lot to look forward to.
An interesting fact about yourself?
When I moved to Norfolk, we embraced the rural life and started to breed and show Highland Cattle, as well as sheep and pigs. It was a lovely time with many happy memories and a great adventure for the kids to grow up with.
Favourite place you’ve ever been?
Too many to name, but it is always great to go back to Munich. I miss the mountains and there is an amazing place near the Austrian border, called Berchtesgarden with the Königsee and my favourite mountain Watzmann. This is also the area where you will find the famous Eagle’s Nest.
Favourite meal?
This is even harder as I love (to eat and to cook) most things. As a child it was Dampfnudel and Vanilasauce, especially when my grandma used to make it.
What do you do for fun?
I have my own horse, called Tara and we compete with British Eventing and the best fun is galloping and jumping over the Cross-Country course or a simple gallop on the beach on Norfolk’s coastline.
Where did the Mimea idea originate?
I am a keen hobby cook but also, I have a horse and other farm animals, which meant I was often looking for spices and other botanicals in more suitable quantities for my needs. Neither a 25g jar from the supermarket, nor a 25kg sack from the whole seller was right for me. When I helped my friend Ben in our sister company Joseph Flach & Sons, who is a wholesale import and export business, and I saw the botanicals arrive in huge sacks in containers or on palettes, I started to think about re-packing the products into smaller bags and creating a non-frills online business. Over the next few months, I developed the idea with our MD, Ben who also came up with the name, Mimea, meaning ‘Plant’ in Swahili.
Goals / hopes for the business?
My aspiration is to grow the business to become the first stop for customers, like myself and smaller businesses, who are looking for good value, high quality products and a great service. I want to build long lasting relationships with our customers through providing a quick and efficient service to get them what they need and when they need it, helping them to achieve their own objectives and goals.
Biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far?
There have been many obviously lessons learning about the wide range of botanicals, but there also have been many lessons in logistic, distribution, warehousing to name but a few. However, the biggest challenge has certainly been to deal with Amazon as a business and sales channels and I hope that in future many more customers come and support us directly via our own website.
Quick fire round
Smelliest product?
Definitely has be Garlic Powder – have you ever opened a 25kg bag of Garlic?
Favourite product?
Dried Orange Slices – lovely to handle, smell or eat.
Most expensive product per gram?
Ginseng Panax Root Cut and Buchu Leaves (although you don’t need much to make a lovely cup of tea)
Most popular product?
Marshmallow Leaves, Hibiscus Flowers and Orange Slices
Most interesting product and why?
There are so many and so many different reasons, but one I find very interesting is Angelica Root and how it is used as a flavouring in Gin and other drinks – I really like it and now can taste its unique flavour.