TINY FAMILY MEMBER: Anna Meier

AN INTERVIEW WITH ENSOIE'S CEO AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ANNA MEIER

Anna in her home in Zurich

For four years now, enSoie and The Tiny Factory have been collaborating to create exquisite tableware that's a true reflection of our granola. After various development phases, I'm taking home not only highly prized ceramics, but also a fresh, fresh impression of the traditional house and its creative mind, Anna Meier. I hardly know anyone as sharp and yet so cheerful. Above all, uncomplicated. Reason enough to publish a few of my questions for her. Furthermore, it would be a shame to deprive you of a glimpse into the repertoire of photos I captured of the beauty. ☺︎

What is your role at enSoie? What does a typical day look like?

I'm the CEO and CD of enSoie—arrive at enSoie at 8:30 a.m., meet with all the departments. Communication is the most important thing. Every day is different from the next. There is no everyday routine, really.

Many customers would be surprised if they knew that at enSoie..?

The team has an average age of 35.16 years.

…and that you make countless different items yourself or at least help to design them, right?

Yes, the only products we don't produce ourselves are our shoes. However, most of the shoes we produce are collaborations.

Every item you sell goes through your desk. How much of your decision-making is intuitive?

Great, and I want to rely on it even more in the future.

What value do you want to pass on to your children?

Joy of life.

Your cheerfulness and energy, are these qualities in your nature or is it more a question of attitude?

Both.

Have there been defeats in your life that still sit deeply with you today, or are you generally good at letting go?

I'm good at letting go. I love change.

Independence is very important to you. Does that mean taking risks for you?

I like to take risks, but I always make sure that I can assess and endure defeat.

What situation makes you nervous?

I don't particularly like giving speeches. But I do it :)


Was and is being Dieter Meier's daughter a great privilege for your professional success, and if so, in what way? Or/and not necessarily for what.

The advantages and disadvantages roughly balance each other out.

Aha, can you tell us one advantage and one disadvantage?

Everyone has prejudices about a "celebrity." I've probably gotten an apartment because the landlord is a Yello fan, or I've been denied an apartment because they're vegan and my father raises cattle.

Is it still possible to be smartphone-free?

No! But in certain situations, a Nokia is brilliant. You simply have more time. It's really true.

You seem so confident, free, and uncomplicated to me. Do you still sometimes have self-doubt?

In any case, I have self-doubt. I have wonderful children. Do I always treat them the way they deserve?