12. Daniel Hanemann
Hey there Risers and Thrivers,
Meet Daniel Hanemann, a growth-driven entrepreneur and business angel. A graduate of WHU, he is currently the CEO of wundertax, the tech startup he co-founded in 2016 and returned to as CEO in 2022. wundertax is an online tax tool to submit your German tax return easily!
In this episode, Daniel takes us on a journey forged by a series of “yes man” decisions, starting from trying out a finance role, which saw him become a CFO at just 23, and later founding and building fast-growing ventures in six countries.
Here’s what we cover:
Importance of resilience and saying "yes" to new opportunities
Privilege and its role in shaping entrepreneurial paths
Dynamics of co-founder relationships and challenges of co-founder splits
Building and maintaining relationships in the entrepreneurial journey
The discussion also touches on the personal aspects of entrepreneurship, such as dealing with transitions, the role of privilege and mindset, as well as the importance of building and maintaining relationships. Daniel’s story is a testament to the power of embracing opportunities with an open heart and mind, which ultimately shaped his successful career as an entrepreneur and business leader.
Enjoy the episode and let us know what you think! Happy Listening!
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Acknowledgments
Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by oussama arichi from Pixabay
Timestamps
Getting Started with Wonder Tax (00:01:22) Daniel talks about the origins of Wonder Tax, starting with student tax returns and its viral success.
Idea Generation for Student Tax Returns (00:03:32) The discussion on the inspiration behind the idea of student tax returns and the problem-solving approach.
Early Entrepreneurial Influences (00:06:07) Daniel's upbringing in Hong Kong and the influence of innovation and technology on his early entrepreneurial interests.
Moving to Germany for Studies (00:07:32) Daniel's decision to move to Germany for studies and the cultural and personal factors influencing the choice.
Challenges of Transitioning to University Life (00:09:58) The difficulties and culture shock experienced by Daniel when transitioning to university life in Germany.
Building Resilience through Adversity (00:12:50) The impact of initial challenges on Daniel's resilience and coping mechanisms during the transition.
Pivotal Moments in Career (00:14:47) Daniel reflects on pivotal moments in his career, including saying "yes" to opportunities and the impact of early work experiences.
Diverse Work Experiences (00:16:28) Daniel's diverse work experiences post-graduation, including international roles and challenges faced.
Taking on Finance Role at Foodpanda (00:18:31) Daniel's experience of taking on a finance role at Foodpanda and the opportunities that followed at a young age.
Becoming CFO at Foodpanda (00:19:14) Daniel's rapid rise to CFO position at a young age and the chaotic but fun experience at Foodpanda.
Pivotal Moments and Saying Yes (00:19:45) Daniel's pivotal moments, learning experiences, and the importance of being open to opportunities.
Privilege and Safety Nets in Germany (00:21:25) Discussion on privilege, safety nets, and government support in Germany for entrepreneurs, and the impact of privilege on mindset.
Starting Wonder Tax (00:27:24) Daniel's decision to start Wonder Tax and the initial stages of the company's development.
Competition and Strategy (00:28:43) Challenges and strategies faced by Wonder Tax in response to competition from Tax Fix.
Co-Founder Split and Moving On (00:31:46) Daniel's departure from Wonder Tax, the amicable split with his co-founder, and the commonality of co-founder splits.
Transition to a New Venture (00:35:04) Daniel's quick transition to a new venture after leaving Wonder Tax and the urgency of the decision.
Maintaining Momentum and Passion for Learning (00:36:18) Daniel's approach to keeping momentum, his fascination with learning new things, and the excitement of understanding new business models.
Scaling Spaces and Temporary Move to Amsterdam (00:38:54) Discussion on the challenges of scaling physical spaces and a temporary move to Amsterdam for a new business opportunity.
Seeking Long-Term Relationship and Comfort Zone (00:39:33) Exploring the decision to seek a long-term relationship in business and finding comfort in a moving platform startup.
Transition to Freelancing and Reconnecting with Investors (00:42:10) Transitioning to freelancing, reconnecting with old investors, and the eventual return to Wonder Tax.
Bringing Wonder Tax Back and Reuniting the Team (00:44:39) Reuniting with former colleagues, reviving Wonder Tax, and the excitement of restarting the business with the original team.
Building and Maintaining Relationships (00:45:30) Reflecting on the importance of building and maintaining relationships in business and personal success.
