A Class of Its Own

Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Gödiker, you are the CEO and founder of Satellite Office, the German market leader in premium business, coworking, and conference centers, a successful entrepreneur, but also a visionary who develops and implements ideas with great passion and enthusiasm. Could you briefly outline the development of Satellite Office? 

Anita Gödiker: When I founded the company in 1997, the term coworking did not even exist; my idea was more than ten years ahead of its time, involving something completely new, and I had to fight to realize it, for example with banks. But, I was passionate about my idea, did not let go, and ultimately implemented and further developed it. From crises, like the one we experienced in 2000 with the collapse of the New Economy, we have emerged stronger – because we persevered and continued on our path with great clarity. 

Wirtschaftsforum: Satellite Office is a Berlin-based company now operating internationally under the umbrella of the Swiss company Swiss Office AG. How did that happen?

Anita Gödiker: The decision to move to Switzerland ten years ago was one of the best ever. At that time, I had already observed changes in Europe, wanted a safe haven for my company, and found one in Switzerland. Establishing my own public limited company was a milestone and paved the way for further growth. In Switzerland, as well as in Italy, I experience a completely different dynamic than in Germany, where in my opinion we talk too much and act too little. I like to compare the situation in Germany to an aging luxury car, which many have enjoyed for decades, but which has not been further developed and therefore has missed the connection.

Wirtschaftsforum: You are a doer. What exactly is your vision or philosophy behind Satellite Office?

Anita Gödiker: Unlike many startups, we opted for exclusivity rather than mass appeal, for the highest quality at the most prestigious addresses. For me, luxury is an attitude associated with respect and deep, genuine appreciation. This is not only reflected in our choice of properties, often historically listed buildings, but also in the materials. With pureSilent, I have developed an award-winning, holistic space concept where purist design meets first-class equipment. This combination benefits people. Our premium workspaces do not distract but provide perfect conditions for full concentration and focus.

Wirtschaftsforum: Could you describe the concept in more detail?

Anita Gödiker: pureSilent was developed in collaboration with the University of St. Gallen, along with experts in light, color, and acoustics. In a world that is often too hectic, too loud, too colorful, we focus on the conscious, careful handling of the senses. For us, it's about more than just beautiful spaces; we want our rooms to promote calm and concentration. When we first implemented the concept at Frankfurt's Opernplatz, it was immediately awarded the Iconic Award for innovation. It's been so well-received that we operate with waiting lists.

Wirtschaftsforum: Satellite Office now employs around 100 people at 15 locations, turns over 50 million EUR, and counts top athletes and renowned companies such as McKinsey, Allianz, Deloitte, Four Seasons, and Rolex among its clients. The company's success is closely linked to you as a person. What do you do differently from others?

Anita Gödiker: To get ahead, a good product, clarity, assertiveness, and the ability to inspire people are crucial. I built up the business against many odds from scratch, financed it on my own, and thus have become a kind of role model for young women. Without my positive attitude, my energy, and my zest for life, I wouldn't have come this far. For me, it's not just about economic success; as an entrepreneur, I take my social responsibility very seriously and I am committed to social projects such as the organization 'Innocence in danger'. Additionally, I support artists and musicians. My value system is marked by respect for people. This respect shapes all my entrepreneurial and personal actions.

Wirtschaftsforum: What is the future direction for Satellite Office?

Anita Gödiker: We want to continue growing in Europe, with specific locations planned in Milan and Munich, and Spain, with cities like Madrid and Palma de Mallorca, offers exciting prospects, as does Geneva. To expand, we need to engage our employees and network at a high level. A perfect example of this is the Lady Sushi Lunch. As always, our focus is on putting people at the center. As always, we look forward positively, acknowledging challenges like excessive bureaucracy, but seeing primarily opportunities.