Just in time for their fifth anniversary, I sat down with Bettina, the founder of German online shop Der karierte Hund. We talked about her background, her passion project as well as easy ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

Please introduce yourself.

Hi, my name is Bettina. I live with my husband, my 19-year-old daughter, a dog, a cat and three chickens in the beautiful Bavarian city Erding. I am the passionate as well as enthusiastic founder and owner of ‘Der karierte Hund’, an online shop for Scandinavian interior design.

When did you launch ‘Der karierte Hund’ and why?

I had many different jobs and responsibilities in the past. They all helped me to create a foundation for what I do now. I worked for several advertising agencies after I had studied American Studies and Sociology as well as Marketing and Advertising Psychology. I also worked as a freelance artist, taught German and English at a Montessori school, to point out a few more. As daughter of an artist and a professor for mechanical engineering I grew up as a free spirit and learned to be creative from an early age. With time I developed a great passion for design, particularly interior design. Der karierte Hund gives me to opportunity to combine and enhance my previous experience and all the skills l acquired over the years. The online shop was founded in 2015. Ever since I’ve been thriving: I enjoy researching new trends, manufacturers and interior designs, mainly from Scandinavia. I never shy away from opportunities to enhance my technical knowledge and learn about the requirements needed for online shop trading.

How does a typical working day look for you?

The world has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 virus and my business is not running as it normally would. My five years of hard work establishing the business have been thrown into turmoil. My employee is working from home during this crisis which means that I have sole responsibility for all areas of the shop. I compile and pack orders, do the bookkeeping, take photos and make sure the social media channels are up to date. On top of things, my daughter is right in the middle of her A-level exams which is rather demanding for the entire family!

How do you source your products?

I mainly buy and find new products for the shop at interior fairs throughout Europe. I constantly read and inform myself about new trends, designs and new companies. If I select a product, it is because I really admire the design and the idea behind it.

How does a product make it into your online shop? Are there specific criteria you look for in a product?

I think a product should always add value to a home and provide the opportunity to create comfort and a better lifestyle in terms of usability, design and fun factor. All items I purchase for the shop are actually also items I would buy for myself. Unfortunately, our house is not big enough to keep them all. Jokes
aside, the most important criteria for a product to be sold is the way it was made: I only ever purchase an item if it was produced under sustainable conditions. That is exactly why I choose to work with companies who have a proven history of providing fair conditions for their workers, caring for the environment, and working towards a good cause. Also, we’ve been partnering up with a renowned
journalist and author to help ‘Der karierte Hund’ to become an officially recognised sustainable company.

What would you recommend to someone who would like to live a more sustainable lifestyle?

Buy things that you either really need or that make you happy. Pay attention to quality and durability.
We should all be more aware and careful with the way we consume. No matter if that refers to our energy usage, travel decisions or the consumption of meat. Avoid single use products whenever it is possible. They are completely unnecessary, and there are great alternatives. Look at yourself from time to time and find out what your real needs are, and if you realise that there is something you really need, go for it, without regret.

What’s your perfect heiter moment?

Spending time together with my family makes me feel thankful and heiter. My husband and I often go for walks in the forest on the weekend. The forest is a source of energy for me. I can breathe and recharge my batteries, the same happens when I sit in my wild garden. I just adore being outside basking in nature.

Interview: Katharina Geissler-Evans , heiter magazine

Images: Der karierte Hund

Deutsche Version

Interview: Katharina Geissler-Evans, heiter magazine

Images: Der karierte Hund

In collaboration with Der karierte Hund

Sustainable choice in the kitchen: knitted kitchen towel (gifted by Der karierte Hund)

Our son is three months old. Although I´m aware he doesn’t understand everything that is going on around him yet, I believe it´s never too early to start being a role model. I have never been keen on the whole ‘you have to do this and that’ approach, even during my previous teaching career. The method I prefer is a tender one. It is one where I keep in mind that my actions, as well as the way I speak, can influence my child’s behaviour. Of course, only time will tell if my beliefs are in line with my son’s, but I can do my best to set an example. I can guide and show him one way of living by sticking to my values. The proof is my own upbringing. Not everything I was taught back then is necessarily how I choose to live today, but there are certain things I do because I already noticed them in my childhood. There is one nursery run in particular that I will never forget. Our house was close to the nursery building, so it was easy to walk there. On the way we saw rubbish in the street. My mum explained that leaving rubbish out like that would harm the environment. It was just one comment, but it had a big impact on my future attitude towards recycling. That is why I think it is important to remember that what I say and do may potentially have the same effect on my son. No matter if it’s how I treat other people or myself, the way I express my beliefs and opinions, my appreciation for my surroundings or the way I consume. It all starts at home: my relationship with my husband and how we live our life. What I would like my son to see and learn is that we are kind and respectful towards each other. I would like him to remember that we stand up for equality, that we care about our environment and make sustainable choices. The thought of him growing up knowing that he can grow his own food, support farmers and local artisans as well as make choices that could lead to the environment being harmed less, comforts me. As I said, I don’t want him to know these things because I conditioned or forced him to believe them. I’d like him to be aware of his choices because he sees his parents living by their values, making their owns decisions.

Words: Katharina Geissler-Evans

Images: Benjamin & Katharina Geissler-Evans

Der karierte Hund is a German online shop that focuses on Scandinavian design and sustainable living. Their selection is carefully chosen based on how and where individual products are made.

Deutsche Version

Sustainable choices in the kitchen - knitted dish cloth, organic soap & hand lotion (all items gifted by Der karierte Hund)

I pay attention to what companies I support: The plaid and kelim cushion cover are from labels who make a positive difference. The elephant is made from 100% organic cotton (All items were gifted by Der karierte Hund)

I try to reduce rubbish by using an eco lunch box, a flask and fabric napkins (all items gifted by Der karierte Hund)

Scandinavian design & sustainability: 'Der karierter Hund'

What I'd like to teach my child from the beginning