EXPATS & BUSINESS: FROM GERMANY TO SPAIN

Today, I am excited to share the inspiring story of an incredible woman — Sabrina, the founder and CEO of COOKONA, a flourishing business in the heart of Barcelona.

Thirteen years ago, Sabrina moved to Spain as a German student, starting her journey as an intern and eventually creating a unique brand of ice cream sandwiches that has become a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike.
Her story is not just about professional success but also about overcoming personal and professional challenges in a new cultural environment.

Combining perseverance, creativity, and adaptability, Sabrina has shown that dreams can be turned into reality. Her journey is packed with lessons, inspiration, and resilience — a true inspiration for anyone considering starting from scratch.


First Steps in Spain

In 2011, Sabrina made the bold decision to leave Germany behind and move to Spain for an internship. She chose Mallorca as her destination, where she began her studies in hospitality management.
What started as an educational opportunity would soon become the beginning of a long and transformative journey — one that would lead Sabrina to build her own business from scratch in a foreign country.

At first, moving to Spain wasn’t easy. Language and cultural differences presented immediate challenges. Although Sabrina had an academic background in hospitality management, she found herself struggling to communicate in Spanish.

The language barrier was a significant hurdle, but Sabrina didn’t let it hold her back.

“Every day, I studied Spanish to build a life here,” Sabrina recalls.

She realized that in order to succeed in Spain, she needed to fully immerse herself in the language and culture. Sabrina took the challenge head-on, asking her colleagues to teach her, constantly practicing her Spanish, and making sure to learn as much as she could about the Spanish way of life.
Her determination paid off over time as she not only became fluent in Spanish but also successfully navigated her new life in Spain.
Her ability to adapt quickly, despite the initial difficulties, set the foundation for the resilience she would need in her entrepreneurial journey.


Finding Inspiration in an Unlikely Mentor

While working as a personal assistant for a wealthy German family in Mallorca, Sabrina had a rare opportunity to observe the inner workings of a successful entrepreneurial family. Her boss, a businesswoman who managed multiple ventures, became a surprising yet powerful source of inspiration.

During this time, Sabrina saw firsthand how entrepreneurs take risks, manage multiple businesses, and maintain a balance between their professional and personal lives.

“My boss inspired me to dream big. She showed me that risk isn’t something to fear, but an opportunity to grow and achieve,” Sabrina shares.

Sabrina was particularly struck by how her boss fearlessly took on challenges and didn’t shy away from the risks that come with building and managing businesses.

Sabrina began to see entrepreneurship as something attainable, something that could align with her own passions and values. This experience fostered a deep desire within her to create something of her own — something that could combine her love for creativity, food, and her newfound entrepreneurial spirit.

Her time working with this family became a pivotal moment in Sabrina’s life. It was here that she began to envision a future where she could build her own business and step away from a traditional career path.
This new mindset laid the groundwork for the birth of her idea — COOKONA.


The Birth of COOKONA

The idea for COOKONA came unexpectedly during a trip to New York, where Sabrina first encountered the concept of ice cream sandwiches — two delicious cookies with a scoop of ice cream in the middle. She was immediately captivated by the idea and couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“I woke up one morning with a clear vision that I wanted to open a store selling ice cream sandwiches in Barcelona,” she recalls.

Sabrina had always had a passion for food, and the idea of combining something as simple as cookies and ice cream into a fun, creative product seemed like the perfect business idea. Upon returning to Spain, Sabrina decided to pursue her vision and create COOKONA.
She spent several months conducting research, testing recipes, and refining the concept for her new business. Sabrina wanted to create a product that would stand out in Barcelona’s competitive food scene — something fun, innovative, and above all, delicious. It was through this deep personal connection to the product that COOKONA was born.


Challenges and Hardships

Sabrina’s journey to opening COOKONA was filled with obstacles, especially in the early stages. Starting a business with limited resources was a challenge she could have never fully anticipated. With just €20,000 to invest in her dream, Sabrina had to be strategic about every decision she made, often working with minimal margins to ensure her vision would come to life.

“In the beginning, I couldn’t even afford furniture. But with the support of my family and a lot of hard work, I was able to make it happen,” Sabrina recalls.

There were no shortcuts during the startup phase, and Sabrina’s hands-on approach became one of her defining traits. She did everything herself, from overseeing the renovations of the store to managing the finances and marketing. Sabrina didn’t have the luxury of a large team or external funding, so she took on every role — from building the brand to handling customer relations.

She even sold her ice cream sandwiches at coworking spaces to gain exposure and attract her first customers. These early days were filled with long hours, personal sacrifices, and the constant juggling of responsibilities, but Sabrina’s dedication never wavered.

Beyond building the product itself, Sabrina also faced the complexities of running a business in a foreign country. Navigating Spanish bureaucracy for permits and licenses was a whole new challenge, requiring persistence and patience.

Setting up a brand from scratch, figuring out local market dynamics, and ensuring compliance with local regulations were just some of the hurdles she had to overcome. Every step involved new obstacles, and Sabrina had to learn quickly and adapt on the fly.
Despite these challenges, Sabrina’s persistence, creativity, and relentless work ethic allowed her to overcome every obstacle in her path.


Confronting the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for businesses worldwide, and COOKONA was no exception. Forced to close temporarily due to lockdowns, Sabrina's revenue dropped dramatically, and the future of her business seemed uncertain. However, she wasn’t ready to give up.

“I learned how to find solutions even when everything seemed to be falling apart,” Sabrina reflects.

Instead of seeing the pandemic as an obstacle, Sabrina saw an opportunity to adapt. She quickly pivoted her business model, introducing home deliveries and expanding COOKONA's online presence to stay connected with customers.

She also launched promotions and social media campaigns to keep the brand top of mind, while encouraging her community to stay positive during tough times.

Although the transition wasn’t easy, Sabrina’s ability to adapt allowed COOKONA to not only survive but thrive during the pandemic. This experience reinforced the importance of flexibility and innovation in business, showing that even in challenging times, there are always opportunities for growth.

The lessons she learned continue to guide her approach to business today, helping her stay adaptable and forward-thinking. For Sabrina, the pandemic wasn’t just a setback; it was a catalyst for change, pushing her to build a more resilient business for the future.


Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Through her years of hard work, Sabrina has gained invaluable lessons that have helped shape COOKONA into the successful brand it is today. Here are some of her key insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Dream Big and Be Bold: Don’t be afraid to pursue ideas that may seem impossible at first. Often, the most unconventional ideas can turn into the most successful businesses.
• Learn Through Practice: There’s no substitute for hands-on experience. The best way to learn is by doing — testing your ideas, learning from mistakes, and constantly adjusting your approach.
• Adaptability is Key: The ability to pivot when things go wrong is crucial for any entrepreneur. Flexibility and the willingness to adjust to new circumstances are often what set successful entrepreneurs apart.
• Start by Working in Your Business: It’s essential to know every detail of your business before delegating tasks to others. Hands-on experience is the foundation of effective leadership and decision-making.

Sabrina’s story is one of determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. What started as a simple idea has grown into COOKONA, a brand that brings joy and delicious ice cream sandwiches to the streets of Barcelona.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that anything is possible with hard work, belief in yourself, and the willingness to face challenges head-on. Sabrina’s ability to overcome every obstacle and build a thriving business from the ground up is an inspiration for anyone dreaming of making their entrepreneurial vision a reality.