23 February 2026
by Elke
Reading time : 5 min
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6 years of hearts and brains. Unbelievable!

How on earth did that happen so quickly?!?

Today, 6 years ago, I founded my agency hearts and brains AG.

With a huge amount of courage and confidence, and still a great deal of respect for taking that step.

Back then, with Nadine Leuenberger by my side, who encouraged me, gave me confidence and supported me in building it up. I am still grateful for that to this day.

I founded my own agency back then because I wanted to work differently.

More individually.

More sustainably.

With a lot of heart.

With openness.

And above all: WITH PEOPLE. Not with databases. That is why there are no job ads! Only network.

And I have stayed true to myself: not a single job ad in 6 years!

And still (or perhaps exactly because of that?! 😜) I have built up an incredibly strong, personal and unique network.

With so many fantastic personalities. With so many enriching encounters. And it keeps growing every single day. Thank you for that!💚

Since the end of 2024, hearts and brains has been entirely my “baby”.

And when I look back, one thing above all comes to mind:

So many exciting mandates.

So many fantastic matches.

And so many challenges that I was able to grow through (or had to💪).

What I never was in all of this: alone.

My biggest THANK YOU goes to Jocelyne

My Office Manager.

My sparring partner.

My best friend.

There from the very beginning.

Always by my side.

Always honest and sometimes critical too.

We are a dream team, and without you, hearts and brains would not be what it is today! ❣️

A big THANK YOU as well to all candidates, clients and partners for your trust, your openness and your support.

Sometimes, in the middle of everyday life, I almost forget to consciously celebrate this day properly. But not today! 🎉

At 49, I started again. And it was absolutely the right decision.

I am:

Grateful.

Truly proud.

Happy.

Fulfilled.

Still curious.

And full of anticipation (incl. respect) for everything that is still to come.

Here’s to the years ahead. 🥂

With lots of 💚 hearts and 🧠 brains.

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