Episode 35

A little conversation about Kaltrinë from Germany and Lena from Denmark and how they met in banking and bonded over their Albanian roots.

What does it take to build a life, a career, and a company across borders and still stay authentic? Kaltrinë and Lena unpack the realities of growing up as a Kosovo refugee in Germany, navigating identity between cultures, and turning years of experience into a business of her own. Kaltrinë shares how language, family, and environment shape identity, why some people feel more German in Kosovo and more Albanian in Germany, and how a strong sense of belonging can come from both heritage and lived experience. The conversation also gets personal as Lena and Kaltrinrë revisit how they met in Copenhagen, the work that brought them together, and why that connection still matters a decade later.You’ll discover:

• Why keeping Albanian language alive can be a lifeline for identity
• How childhood environment changes the refugee experience
• What it means to feel “German” in Kosovo and “Albanian” through language, music, and tradition
• Why authenticity matters so much in sales, networking, and relationships
• What inspired Kaltrinë to leave stable employment and start her own company
• The hidden role luck, timing, and connections play in success

Kaltrinë also opens up about the pressure of balancing motherhood, travel, financial risk, and entrepreneurship, and why building something of your own can be both terrifying and deeply rewarding. Lena adds her own perspective on identity, naming, and belonging, making this a thoughtful conversation about ambition, roots, and the people who shape our path.Essential listening if you care about immigrant identity, women in business, career reinvention, or the quiet power of staying true to yourself while building a future from scratch.