My principles
I was born in the early 1990s in a small town in Germany. My mother was French and my father was German. Unfortunately, my mother died when I was very young, so I grew up with my father and brother. Our family was completed by my stepmother, who, together with my father, was an entrepreneur. From an early age I saw how they worked tirelessly to build up a very successful company.Ā
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Although we never lacked anything materially, I always felt the absence of time. My father, a man dedicated to his projects, taught me from a young age how important it is to work for what you want. But he also showed me the lack of balance in his life: his work took up so much of his time that he had no time to enjoy what really mattered. That was the example that made me dream of something different: a life where I could be present for my family, enjoy the small moments and have the freedom to choose my own path.
The Change: Moving to Spain
After a few years, my parents separated and my father found another partner. The stability we knew gradually crumbled. In 2004, life changed drastically for us. My paternal grandmother passed away, and two years later, in 2006, in search of a new start, my father decided that we should move to Spain. There were seven of us in total: my father with his new partner and daughter, my brother, my uncle with his daughter and me. We left our life in Germany behind and settled in Altea, in a huge house that had once been a hotel. Although it had its imperfections, such as peeling walls and a peculiar layout, it was a magical place: high ceilings, large windows that let in the light I love so much and a garden with a huge swimming pool and chickens. It was the house where I felt most "at home" in my whole life.
At first, the idea of living in Spain seemed like a dream, "Living in Spain, WOW!" I thought to myself, full of excitement! But, although the change was tempting, it also turned out to be very difficult. New school, new languages (English and Spanish), new friends... Although I was accompanied by part of my family, I left behind another fundamental part of my life in Germany: my aunts, another cousin who is like a sister to me, and my best friends of all my life. My life took a 180-degree turn. I spent my teenage years in a completely different place than the one I knew, and now, looking back, I realise that this time was key to my growth. It was a time full of challenges, but also of learning that shaped me and prepared me for everything that came after.
In the end, my father's company did not survive. Little by little, we lost everything. We ended up living on rent, just him and me, as everyone else who came with us had gone back to Germany, even my brother. Despite the difficulties, my father never stopped trying to get back on his feet, trying to start new projects. His entrepreneurial spirit and resilience marked me deeply. He was an example of struggle, but he also made me realise how important it is to find a balance in life. Because, although working for what you believe in is fundamental, it is not worth it if you lose what matters most.
Awakening: My Own Way
After finishing my studies at an English school, I started working in traditional jobs. I worked up to three jobs simultaneously, seeking financial stability and trying to lend a hand at home, but despite the effort, I felt it was not fulfilling. But despite the effort, I felt that this life was not fulfilling for me. What's the point of all that work if you're just making others rich and can barely survive? I couldn't go on like that.
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In 2016, I met JosƩ, and although I didn't know it at the time, he would become a key player in the change that was to come. We became a couple in 2017, and since then he has been my great support, even during the difficult years with my father's illness. JosƩ is a creative, active person, always full of ideas, while I am more constant, that person who makes sure things stay on track. Together we have found that we make a great team, complementing each other perfectly. He has the ability to make whatever he touches go well, and I am in charge of maintaining consistency in the projects.
So, in an act of courage, I made a radical decision: to quit all my jobs and become self-employed. I knew that the road would be full of uncertainties, but I also understood that it would be the only way to my true freedom. I no longer wanted my efforts to be for the enrichment of others or to be trapped in a never-ending routine. If I was going to work, I wanted to work for myself, building something I was passionate about.
During the previous years, my hobbies had been web design and photography, two passions that had always been with me. So, with all the momentum of that change, I decided to launch myself as a freelancer to be able to dedicate myself to both professionally. It was time to do what I loved and make it my way of life.
The Birth of Marinea
In 2019, we launched Marinea.es, an online directory focused on the Costa Blanca. This project was born out of my love for the local community and my passion for websites. Over time, Marinea became my main source of passive income, allowing me to collaborate with small businesses in the area and connect businesses with clients.
Although Marinea gives me the freedom to work from wherever I want, to dedicate as many hours as I want, the touristic nature of the project means that the income is higher in summer than in winter. At times, this has forced me to look for additional jobs to stabilise my finances. But I don't give up. Every challenge is an opportunity to move forward and build something even bigger.
The Toughest Challenge: Caring for My Father
While I was working at Marinea, my father's health began to deteriorate. Those were years of uncertainty, going from doctor to doctor with no clear answers.
Finally, in 2021, he was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that gradually weakened him.
Caring for him was one of the biggest challenges of my life. It was an experience that changed me profoundly. During that time, I realised how important it is to live in the present, to question my priorities and to find a balance between work and personal life. Because life is not just about working non-stop. You have to enjoy the moments that really matter. My father, who never got his pension, died at the age of 63. This fact made me reflect even more: why so much work and stress? What is the point of all this if you don't have time to enjoy what you love?
Thanks to Marinea, I was able to spend time with him, be by his side and accompany him in his final years. In 2023, my father passed away, leaving me with a huge void, but also a legacy of strength and resilience that continues to guide my steps.
A New Beginning: My Time to Grow Up
Today, I feel like I am rising from the ashes. After years of prioritising others, I have decided it is time to take care of myself. I want to build a future with JosƩ, pursue my dreams stronger than ever and continue to grow as a person and a professional.
Marinea is still an important part of my life, but now it is no longer the only part of my life. I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and take on new projects, such as LR, which are helping me to be the best version of myself. Although I was sceptical at first, I now see LR as an opportunity to overcome my fears and expand my horizons. LR has allowed me to believe in a future where my income does not depend on additional jobs. I want to travel without financial worries, start a family and, one day, get back the magic house in Altea where I was happiest.
I Invite You on My Journey
If you have made it this far, I want to thank you for reading my story. This journey has not been easy, but each step has led me to where I am today. I am building a future based on freedom, authenticity and connection with people.
If you feel you also want something more in your life, I invite you to join me. Together we can create a team of people who share this vision: to grow, to be free and to build something great. This is not about making a lot of money from one day to the next, but about building a future little by little, where you don't have to worry about work all the time.
Because in the end, what matters is not only what we achieve, but with whom we share it. š«¶
Will you join this path?
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