Table of Contents
Dieter Tatzl
Dieter Tatzl bought the Traussner Mühle in Ehrenhausen an der Weinstrasse in 2016. He had previously been a customer for many years and was fascinated by the 400-year-old mill. The 46-year-old not only wants to preserve the cultural heritage, but also manage it in harmony with nature. At the Traussner Mühle everything is still done mechanically and not digitally. Tatzl also attaches great importance to the fact that 70 percent of the grain comes from the region, with the rest coming from Burgenland or Lower Austria. His customers include farm shops, bakeries and wine taverns. You can also buy the flour locally. At the Traussner Mühle you can also get active yourself with baking courses. But that’s not enough. In addition to team events, the South Styrian has also installed an adventure mill. With 3D glasses you can travel back in time.
Dieter Tatzl in the 400-year-old Traussner mill in Ehrenhausen on the Weinstrasse © Julia Haslebner
Christa Franz
For dress maker Christa Franz 2024 was probably the most exciting and at the same time most successful year in her career as an entrepreneur. The master tailor with a studio in St. Ulrich in Greith was able to present her creations at two of the largest fashion shows in the world. The 53-year-old graduate of the Graz Fashion School shone with her own show at Vienna Fashion Week. No fewer than 20 dresses were presented by the models on the catwalk. The experts’ verdict: elegant, cheeky, sexy, ageless and with that certain something. Franz’s haute couture gowns caused no less of a stir a little later at fashion week in the fashion mecca of Milan. The Italian trade press was all over the southwest Styrian designer, who returned with valuable contacts and a few orders.
Christa Franz shone at the fashion weeks in Vienna and Milan © Private
Carmen and Werner Krauss
Carmen and Werner Krauss produce spirits such as gin, whiskey and rum in their luxury distillery “Distillery Krauss” in St. Martin in Sulmtal. As career changers, they have worked their way up from a West Styrian garage business to one of the most awarded distilleries in the world since 2007. The entrepreneurial couple attached importance to international awards early on. His “Sulm Valley Whiskey” was named the world’s best whiskey at the “World Spirits Competition” in San Francisco in 2022. Now Carmen and Werner Krauss would like to gain a foothold in the USA with their products. They receive Hollywood-worthy support from the grandchildren of the legendary actor Charlie Chaplin. Together with Kiera and Spencer Chaplin, they recently launched the “Generation” brand with a specially created vodka, Irish single malt whiskey and aperitif.
Werner and Carmen Krauss run the fine distillery “Distillery Krauss” in St. Martin im Sulmtal © Oliver Wolf
Kathrin Stern and Rita Resch
Kathrin Stern and Rita Resch have a unique corporate philosophy. The aim of sozKom in Krottendorf-Gaisfeld is to support people, especially children, young people and adults, in developing their social skills. A central component of the corporate culture is meeting at eye level and appreciative cooperation. The employees make a significant contribution to company-relevant decisions. “We believe that fair and appreciative cooperation forms the foundation for sustainable and positive developments,” Stern and Resch agree. The public benefit company has received several awards for this approach. After winning the Trigo in the employee initiative category, the nationwide “Social Entrepreneur” award followed.
Rita Resch and Kathrin Stern © Point Of View
Reinhard Kleindl
The paths of the author who lives in Söding Reinhard Kleindl are crowned with success. First, he crowned his professional sporting career as a slackliner with highline ascents on the Three Peaks, over the Victoria Waterfalls, on Mount Kinabalu on Borneo, the Dachstein, and – quite well-publicized – at the Styria Media Center in Graz. In parallel to his sporting career, he soon began to make a name for himself as a writer. He first created his Inspector Baumgartner, later he wrote thrillers, for which he was awarded the “Fine Crime Award” in 2020. Most recently, “The Elixir of God” and this year his science thriller “Chaos Code” were published. And then there is his career as science editor for the “Standard”, which this year earned him the science journalism prize from the Austrian Research Foundation.
Reinhard Kleindl © Tina Reiter
What initial factors led Dieter Tatzl to discover the Traussner Mühle opportunity, and what specific motivations drove him to pursue the project despite its challenges?
1. How did Dieter Tatzl come across the opportunity to buy the Traussner Mühle and what made him decide to take on such a project?
2. What kind of challenges does Tatzl face in managing the 400-year-old mill and how does he strive to maintain its cultural significance while modernizing it?
3. Can you tell me more about the unique adventure mill experience Tatzl has installed at the Traussner Mühle? How does it engage visitors and contribute to the overall experience?
4. Christa Franz experienced tremendous success with her designs in 2024, showcasing at both Vienna and Milan Fashion Weeks. How did she first get into fashion, and how does she balance staying true to her own style while appealing to such diverse audiences?
5. As a career changer, what inspired Werner and Carmen Krauss to start their own distillery, and how have they managed to achieve such immense success internationally?
6. Can you tell me more about the social entrepreneurship approach of Katherine Stern and Rita Resch’s company, sozKom? What inspired them to take this approach, and how have they been able to implement it effectively in their business?
7. What role does Reinhard Kleindl’s background in professional slacklining play in his writing career, and how does he approach crafting his thrillers and science-focused books? Additionally, what do you think about his recent award wins for both athletic and literary achievements, and how do they intersect in his life?
