The best colleagues ever?

No sooner said than done. Michael Möhle did not have to think about that idea for long. "I know Jens as a person, appreciate his straightforward outlook, and his perfect attitude toward work. It fit 100 percent." The two managing directors complement each other perfectly as a team, sharing both the hands-on aspect as well as the commercial side of things.

The industry is booming – and the company is benefiting from this, being able to grow after a very short period of time. In the meantime, four more members joined the team, working alongside the bosses at "Ja zur Farbe". But why decide to make such a risky career move at a late stage in life?

For Jens Anhalt, the decision was a logical consequence given his extensive job expertise: "I flipped the switch for becoming self-employed in 2012. I already had decades of experience, had managed large construction sites on my own," the 53-year-old tells us. "At some point I realized that it was now or never! That was when it became clear to me that I had to make a move."

Despite all warnings...

Initially, both bosses had slight misgivings about setting up a company and a natural fear of failure. But these worries quickly dissipated. "There's only one way to approach things, simply do it! If you do not ever take risks, you will never reap any rewards. Of course, something can always go wrong, but that is not the end of the world," reaffirms Michael Möhle about his decision to make a new start in life.

In his opinion, many businesses do not fail because of a lack of skill, but instead, because of the management. "Taxes, health insurance, and authorities take up a lot of space and time. I take care of the paperwork, and Jens takes care of the hard work," jokes the 50-year-old professional painter.

The local chamber of commerce advised the pair against setting up shop. "That was a good one. They were probably worried that two friends could not also be business partners. And that one of them would run off with all the cash if there were an argument," explains Michael Möhle.

Jens Anhalt adds: "Obviously, we don't always share the same opinion. But I do not always agree with my wife, either. This is about constructive criticism, that ultimately results in something positive. We trust each other implicitly and are always there for each other. And that goes for our professional as well as our personal lives – not many people can say that." It becomes clear just how well the duo get along when they talk about their vacation plans: In the coming year, the joint managing directors are even planning a cruise together with their wives.

Business is booming

Today, both smile about their eventful shared careers in various painting contractor operations and in the international exhibition sector – and enjoy their entrepreneurial freedom. This new start has been a winning move, both professionally and personally. "How else could we talk business over a beer after work?" says Michael Möhle with a twinkle in his eye.

Although the premises of the painting contractor's is rather small in the Braunschweig industrial area, their business is booming. The phone is always ringing: word about their quality gets around. Michael Möhle then has to placate customers: "If someone wants to have a short deadline, we have to see when we can fit them in. At the moment we have to have six to eight weeks’ notice before we can fit in new appointments."

So there is no need for customer acquisition at the moment. The best references are satisfied, customers, and they pass on the recommendation. "There's more construction than ever right now. That is lucky for us because up to now, our business has only known one direction; straight up," says Jens Anhalt.

The telephone rings in the company headquarters. Julia, Jens Anhalt's daughter, is on the line. "Dad, can you bring over a can of paint? We need more." The 17-year-old is currently training to become a painter and varnisher, just like Sascha, her older brother. Julia is doing her apprenticeship at her dad's company, while her brother is doing his with a friend's operation.

"It seems that there is a love of painting in the family," says Jens Anhalt, laughing. He then hops into the car with his colleague to bring more paint to his daughter. The trip goes past a Wilhelminian style building, whose perfectly painted facade is all thanks to "Ja zur Farbe". "Yes, we've already set some beautiful and colorful accents in the city," comments Jens Anhalt.

Also on his own house, the exterior of which radiates a warm, red-brown tone. "Jens is really good at that," Michael Möhle praises his companion. "He is the expert in insulation and facades. I deal more with creative color processes in interiors."

At the edge of Braunschweig city center, the company car pulls to a halt in front of a residential complex. A nail studio sign flashes to the beat of pop music coming from the small vegetable shop next door. From the first floor, daughter Julia and journeyman Oliver Öhns peer out of the window, checking to see whether the new paint has arrived. The two begin to carefully paint corners and edges, using a special roller.

In the process, Julia sometimes hangs out the window or balances on a tall ladder with paint and brush. It is the 17-year-old's dream job. "At the start, I could not have even imagined doing this apprenticeship. But the more painting I do, the more enthusiastic I become. Now I am even thinking about doing more training in the industry." Julia is particularly fascinated by work on designing and maintaining ceilings, floors, and facades – and the freedom of the job. "Even if my dad is my boss, he trusts us and does not control us as a teacher would!"

Julia feels at home in this industry, despite it being rather dominated by men. "Okay, sometimes the guys say some rather inappropriate things! But I know how to handle it. And they also take my advice because I see things from a different perspective. We make a perfect team."

That is also how the two managing directors of the company see it. "With our great team, consisting of old hands and young entrepreneurs alike, we have an exciting, colorful future ahead of us."