East Cosmos

6 questions for Sunny

Restaurant manager at sly Berlin

Were there any particular female people or experiences that have inspired you in your life?
One of the women who have inspired me is my best friend Steffi. We have known each other since we were seven years old. We both come from chaotic families and have supported and motivated each other since we were little. Another woman is Sarah Buchbinder, one of the strongest women I know. I can't imagine my life without her and I am grateful that we support each other every day. And last but not least, Barbara Merll, as a hostess she is a legend and my professional motivation.
What is the best thing about being a woman?
Just everything! I am proud to be a woman and, above all, to be able to be myself! In general, however, I think it is less about WHAT I am and more about WHO I am. And I have to say: I am happy with myself.
What is a professional success that you are particularly proud of and why is it important to you?
My professional success is certainly working at the sly Hotel. I have arrived here and achieved my professional goals in life. I love my job and everything that goes with it and I always wanted to be a restaurant manager. I wanted to be able to develop creatively, be a good manager and offer people an experience that is fun but also serious. Seeing smiles from guests and colleagues - and I have achieved that here.
What does female empowerment mean to you and how do you experience it in your work environment?
There are many women working throughout the east cosmos and each one is really strong, we support each other and many women are department heads. I can learn something from each one of them and take a lot with me. The ease and creativity of our marketing, the unbeatable power woman in the HSK, the stress-resistant ladies at the reception and in the kitchen, the consistently good people and positive vibes from my team and the warm smile and bad humor from my "office mom" - the whole package is a movement that may not be obvious, but it exists.
Together we change not only the company every day, but also the world.
How do you think companies can do a better job of promoting women?
Companies in general could start to see women more. Not "just" as women, but also the performance that lies behind it.
We work despite massive abdominal pain because society still has no understanding of this. We work and take care of the children and the household at the same time. And of course we should still look beautiful and be relaxed. Companies should start to see the whole package and the performance provided. I'm not saying that men have it easier in life, but men are still seen and respected more today.
What do you like to do in your free time and how do these activities contribute to your well-being?
I do a lot of different things in my free time. I take my "me time" and enjoy being able to be alone sometimes. On other days I like to go out to eat or attend training courses and meet new people.
There is so much to discover, so many great people in the world that I want to get to know and I have a really comfortable couch. I need a combination of everything to be happy.

6 questions for Anni

Operations Manager east Hotel

Were there any particular female people or experiences that inspired you in your life?
A big inspiration for me was my former boss during my time abroad. She is an absolute role model for female empowerment at work, but also in my private life. During the time I worked closely with her, I was able to learn a lot from her and take it with me, on all levels. Through her constant support and encouragement, she gave me the feeling that I could do anything. Without her, I wouldn't be at the point in my career that I am today.
What is the best thing about being a woman for you?
For me, the best thing about being a woman is the opportunity to be creative while finding a balance between work, family and personal development.
What is a professional success that you are particularly proud of and why is it important to you?
I am particularly proud to have been the Hotel Operations Manager at east since last year, as this position allows me to apply the experience and knowledge I have gained in the hotel industry over the last few years and also abroad.
What does female empowerment mean to you, and how do you experience it in your work environment?
For me, female empowerment means giving women the opportunity to get closer to their goals and encouraging them to do so. In the work environment, I experience this by supporting female employees and by trying to create a working environment in which everyone can develop and find their own voice.
How do you think companies can do better to promote women?
In my opinion, companies can do even better to promote women by supporting further training measures, creating more flexible working models and being transparent about career opportunities within the company.
What do you like to do in your free time, and how do these activities contribute to your well-being?
In my free time, I spend a lot of time in nature with my dog. The long walks help me clear my head and provide the perfect balance to an active day at work.

6 questions for Anita

Bar manager coast by east

Were there any particular female people or experiences that have inspired you in your life?
There were a few people who had a positive influence on me on my path.A bar manager who boosted my self-confidence, especially at times when I was often the only woman at competitions.
An F&B manager who was able to multitask and kept an eye on everything and everyone, always had an open ear for all employees and mastered every situation with specialist knowledge - an empathetic role model!My mom, who always keeps an eye on the positive aspects in every situation, no matter how difficult.
But negative experiences were also a learning effect for further actions, such as a trainer whose leadership style I never wanted to adopt!
What is the best thing about being a woman for you?
I wouldn't want to miss the female intuition that you can usually rely on. Intuition and people skills are valuable tools, both in building a team and in dealing with guests. They help to create an atmosphere of trust and can make working together easier!
What is a professional success that you are particularly proud of and why is it important to you?
I was one of the first female bartenders in Hamburg and often had to prove myself. As a manager, I have been able to get many women behind the bar in recent years, encourage and challenge them and accompany them on their way in the gastronomy scene. I am proud of the "thank you" from many former employees. Passing my sommelier exam was also a small milestone!
What does female empowerment mean to you and how do you experience it in your work environment?
For me, female empowerment means diversity and equal opportunities! A healthy mix in the team makes it perfect. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and these need to be recognized and used!
How do you think companies can do a better job of promoting women?
A healthy gender pay gap, coaching and further training as well as a good work-life balance are crucial points for promoting women!
What do you like to do in your free time and how do these activities contribute to your wellbeing?
Individual travel is a must for me and is part of education. Foreign cultures, culinary experiences, people, animals and nature shape your own perspective and attitude!I like to share sports, music and culture with friends and family! For example, it was my childhood dream to experience a cattle drive in the steppe of the USA. So I looked for a rustic ranch in Arizona and had adventurous days with the cowboys. I learned to shoot, throw a lasso and drive the cattle with great horses. I branded and castrated my first calf in the middle of the wilderness and then had to eat the fried testicles!
I also really like the north. We sailed around Spitsbergen on a sailing ship. The silence, the cracking of the ice and the sighting of polar bears are unforgettable experiences.

6 questions for Jessi

Operations Manager at sly Berlin

Were there any particular female people or experiences that have inspired you in your life?
There were no particular formative experiences in my life, but my mother was always an important person for me. She raised me alone and although we didn't have much, she showed me how important it is to be independent. This taught me early on to be on my own, to learn new things quickly and not to be discouraged by challenges.
What is the best thing about being a woman for you?
For me, the best thing about being a woman is that we are strong, independent and unique. Women play an important role in society and our opinions and voices are valuable.
What is a professional achievement that you are particularly proud of and why is it important to you?
I have been with the company since I was 20 years old, i.e. since January 2014, and I am proud to have developed into an Operations Manager here. My job has allowed me to grow not only professionally, but also personally. I was able to take on responsibility, gain new experiences and develop further (grow up) - the trust that has always been placed in me means a lot to me.
What does female empowerment mean to you and how do you experience it in your work environment?
For me, female empowerment means that women support and encourage each other and stand up for their opinions and goals. In my work environment, I experience this when women motivate each other, share knowledge and grow together. Collaboration makes us stronger - and that is exactly what we should encourage more.
How do you think companies can do a better job of promoting women?
Targeted and individual training can help to promote women in their careers. But the most important thing is that women support each other and that companies create an environment in which their voices are heard and valued.
What do you like to do in your free time and how do these activities contribute to your well-being?
In my free time, I like to do sports, preferably before work, to start the day with energy and a good mood. Sport not only gives me physical strength, but also mental strength. I recharge my batteries by travelling, discovering new places and gaining new experiences. I also enjoy spending time with my friends.

4 questions for Chris

Breakfast manager east Hotel

Were there any particular female people or experiences that have inspired you in your life?
Yes – first my mother! She became a mother at a very young age, but always had everything under control, did everything herself and taught us that we can do anything if we want to.
And my trainer, who was always a role model for me with her hands-on mentality.
What is a professional success that you are particularly proud of and why is it important to you?
I was particularly proud when I was appointed managing director of a small Michelin-starred restaurant in Frankfurt and we were able to open a second restaurant a year later.
It meant that the years of hard work had paid off and that my style of management and planning had contributed to the company's success.
How do you think companies can do a better job of promoting women?
I think that every company must treat women and men equally and that no distinctions should be made here. I have never had the feeling that I need special support as a woman, because the work speaks for itself.
What do you like to do in your free time and how do these activities contribute to your well-being?
The most important thing for my well-being is spending time with my husband and family to recharge my batteries. Whether it's playing sports, cooking together, going for a walk or drinking wine...

Room bookings

6 questions for Sunny

6 questions for Anni

6 questions for Anita

6 questions for Jessi

4 questions for Chris