Tiny Family Jon Bollmann
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PUBLISHER OF THE TRAVEL MAGAZINE TRANSHELVETICA
Jon Bollmann in front of his office, the old Letten train station in Zurich.
For years, Jon and the Tiny team have been hatching plans for a joint project. And good things take time, as they say... ☺︎☝︎. Luckily for us, that's why (and thanks to Jon's love of our granola), we get to stop by his charming office every now and then, filled with good vibes and the smell of delicious coffee.
Sibylle: You're the founder of the Swiss travel magazine TRANSHELVETICA. For me, it's the most aesthetically pleasing magazine I know! What were your main goals for your first issue in 2010?
Jon: That was a few years ago now. We noticed that, on the one hand, there were a lot of great magazines that were simply not pleasing to the eye—and, on the other hand, there were beautiful magazines that lacked exciting content. So the idea was born to create a beautiful magazine that also had relevant content. And because we love traveling and discovering things so much, it made sense to create a travel magazine. Aesthetically, we were always looking for calm and clarity, which we can then complement here and there with entertaining details.
You also work in the most beautiful office building I know. Is your everyday work as romantic as it appears from the outside?
Of course! In our listed office building, there's always a good atmosphere, and everyone works like elves in Santa's workshop.
What do you have to continually strive for in your work?
To write and photograph good stories, you have to consciously put yourself in the reader's perspective. It's a constant battle with yourself, because you quickly get lost in the story and no longer realize you're jumping and hopping. And when you then have to deal with communications people, it becomes even more complicated. Because even though the world is only talking about storytelling, the world's communications departments often just want their "products" mentioned. This often leads to conflicts over how to strike a balance between serving the reader and meeting the needs of the partners.
Which of your stories surprised, fascinated, or touched you the most?
Actually, it wasn't a single story, but an entire issue: when the coronavirus hit, we were just about to go to print for the then-current issue. But with all the restrictions, the issue somehow no longer made sense. So, after months of working on the issue, we pulled the ripcord a few days before printing and decided to create a new issue. The entire editorial team then worked together within ten days to develop a new magazine concept, create stories, and deliver them to readers' mailboxes three weeks after the official start of the pandemic. This teamwork and the resulting issue on the topic of "Plan B" touched me deeply.
What are your favorite travel destinations around the world?
I'm always open to surprises, to serendipity. That's why I like to go to places where I expect little and where I allow myself enough time to stray from the path a little. When you can open yourself up to the world like that, it gives you so much back. Recently, I was in the Engadine and saw that the Bragaglia Biennale was opening the following day. I treated myself to a day trip to the Bregaglia valley and discovered inspiring artists, hiked through enchanting landscapes, and was treated to fresh goat cheese just a few hours old on an alpine pasture.
Are the Swiss aware of how many travel treasures their country contains?
During the COVID-19 years, people have started paying more attention to Switzerland again and realized how many beautiful corners the country has to offer. But anyone who reads Transhelvetica already knows that. I think, however, that a time is now coming when people will want to go to the seaside and discover new horizons.
Swiss if possible: the coffee machine from Zuriga and granola from The Tiny Factory
What is your connection to The Tiny Factory?
I've been following Tiny Factory's work for a long time and dream of developing a granola together made from 100% Swiss products. That would be a wonderful story about Switzerland's culinary treasures.
What is your breakfast ritual?
Fish the NZZ out of the mailbox, sit down at the kitchen table, make a coffee from the machine, and enjoy some granola from The Tiny Factory. Then the day can begin.
How do you taste your granola and which variety do you prefer?
With plain yogurt and—if it's a good day—fresh berries and a few fresh mint leaves. Served with sour cherry granola.
The Tiny Factory is for you:
Happiness for the stomach, passion in every detail and a sense of style.
