I originally worked as a master tailor in the fashion industry, where I was also responsible for training junior staff. My husband Wilhelm Paulitschek had set up and managed a sales office for Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH since 1972 and then continued this as his own company from 1982 under the name "Paulitschek Motorgeräte" in the premises in Ulm city centre. There was always enough work to do, so from 1988 I initially took on various office jobs and helped out in the sales department as a deputy. I never missed my work as a seamstress, but dedicated myself fully to our family business.

In 1988, my husband founded the "Süddeutsche Motoristenvereinigung eG" - or"SÜMO" for short - together with eleven other Solo factory and general representatives. In 1992, SÜMO was registered as a cooperative, and on 1 January 1993 it began centralised settlement. Centralised settlement means that the purchase invoices of SÜMO's contracted suppliers to its members are recorded and paid by the SÜMO association headquarters. From 1993 onwards, my duties shifted completely to SÜMO and I took care of centralised settlement, preparing the accounting documents for the tax consultant and providing telephone support for members and suppliers. SÜMO has grown steadily year on year and now has around 230 garden technology dealers from all over Germany among its members. Today, a dedicated team takes care of SÜMO's affairs; in the past, my husband, two other honorary board members and I used to do it all on our own. Today, I still spend three mornings a week at the company and continue to support the area of billing services for SÜMO.

The move from Ulm city centre to Zeppelinstrasse 3 in Neu-Ulm was definitely a landmark event. The original location had simply become too small and no growth would have been possible there. The move was therefore a major step towards the future development of the company. Of course, the new building involved a large financial outlay for the time, but fortunately this risk paid off. Since then, we have not only added an extension to the original new building, but have also acquired other company buildings in the immediate vicinity, which will be connected to the original building by the connecting structure currently under construction. Another milestone in the history of paulimot was the handover of the company shares and management to our children Simone Paulitschek and Dr Patrick Paulitschek. The fact that the company remains in family hands is not a matter of course. The fact that my son-in-law Frank Schlögel has taken on an important management role in the company is another stroke of luck. For me, it was a very nice feeling to be able to hand over responsibility and at the same time know that the company is in good hands and will continue to move forward with vigour and fresh ideas.

I take a very positive view of all developments. Of course, nobody can predict what will happen in the next few years, but I think paulimot is very well equipped for the future and I trust that my children will initiate many more positive developments. In addition, my husband Wilhelm Paulitschek and I are always on hand to offer advice and support where we can. For the future, I hope that our collaboration will continue to be so harmonious and that the company can continue to grow sustainably and dynamically.