Courage to take the leap - Patricia Jabs talks about her path to becoming an independent entrepreneur

When Patricia Jabs decided to jump in at the deep end - with a schoolchild at her side, a baby in her arms and responsibility for 100 clients - she courageously paved the way for a remarkable career in the financial sector.

The student initiative Fem:ability hosted a discussion entitled "From tax consultant to entrepreneur - being successful as a woman!" in an intimate and cozy atmosphere. Under the moderation of Laura Keller, inquisitive students from Zeppelin University came together. They listened intently to Patricia Jabs, who shared her wealth of experience as an entrepreneur.

Women in business are largely limited to HR roles, a situation that Jabs attributes to a mixture of a lack of confidence and self-confidence. "As a woman, you can think big," she emphasizes, a motto she lives by every day in her work. Her membership of the Verband deutscher Unternehmerinnen e.V. (VDU) and the Mittelstands- und Wirtschaftsunion (MIT) are testimony to her courage and determination to assert herself in an industry dominated by men. The VDU networks female entrepreneurs nationwide and supports women in the start-up phase in particular. "We are not a network, we are a powerhouse," explains Jabs proudly, emphasizing the importance of community and exchange between women.

Despite the homogeneity within the VDU, which according to Jabs often leads to fewer misunderstandings, the entrepreneur is convinced that diversity and equal opportunities bring great added value to society. She criticizes the pressure to imitate, which tempts women to copy male leadership styles, and emphasizes the importance of remaining authentic. "As soon as you adopt something without really living it, it becomes inauthentic," she warns.

Authenticity is one of the most important qualities as a leader, and this is how Jabs reaches many clients who appreciate her leadership qualities and character traits. As a tax consultant, she was often underestimated at the beginning of her career, an experience that spurred her on to work on her self-perception and public presence. "Far fewer women start companies because women have much less access to capital and people have less confidence in women," reflects the entrepreneur. Her advice to all women is therefore: "Just think big", because only those who have the courage to dream big and act accordingly can realize their visions.