WST Role Model Carina Holzapfel
red_WST_logo

Role Model:
Carina Holzapfel

Role Model:
Carina Holzapfel

Every month we ask one individual in our network a few questions about their way into tech, their motivation and their lessons learned.

Let’s start from the beginning. Tell us about where you’re from!

I grew up in a small German village with just 2,000 people but deep down, I always knew I wanted more: freedom, growth, and experiences beyond what I could see around me.

At 18, I packed my bag and went on my first solo trip around the world. I barely spoke English, had no plan, and no safety net, just curiosity and a lot of courage. That trip changed me forever. Since then, I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries and today I split my life between Zurich and Cape Town, two places I completely fell in love with.

I studied Business with a focus on Controlling, Accounting and Finance in Germany, which gave me a solid analytical foundation. My career started in large corporations, most notably at Bosch, who later sent me on my first assignment to Switzerland, and at Lufthansa Group, where I worked for Swiss International Airlines in Zurich. Those years taught me how complex organizations operate and gave me the structure and discipline I still carry with me today.

During Covid, I started my first company, a jewelry brand. The product was beautiful, but selling it cost endless time and money. Instead of giving me freedom, it tied me down.

Later, I built a hydrogen heating company with my dad. He had started tinkering in his garage, and together we turned it into something much bigger: we built a strong network, raised grants, gained EU and government support, and even registered our own patent. But once again, I learned that the real driver of growth wasn’t the technology, it was visibility. LinkedIn and our network were what made the difference.

That was the turning point for me. I realized that freedom and growth only work if you look at things and turn them into systems – making them structured, repeatable, and efficient. In practice, that can mean setting up automations in the sales process or streamlining marketing workflows. Without visibility, there is no growth. And without systems, there is no freedom.

That’s why I created BOOSTLi,  a digital assistant for social media that helps entrepreneurs and agencies grow their business while giving them back the one thing most businesses take away: freedom.

What valuable advice did you get from your parents?

The most valuable advice I got from my parents was simple: just do it. Especially when fear was involved.

From the time I was a little child, my dad pushed me to do things I was afraid of whether it was speaking up, trying something new, or standing on my own. He always reminded me to stand up for myself, not to stay quiet, and never let others run me over.

At the time, it felt uncomfortable. But over the years it became one of the most important lessons of my life. I learned early on that fear is not a signal to stop, but often a sign that growth is waiting on the other side.

Today, whenever I feel fear, I pause and ask myself: Where is this fear coming from? Is it trying to protect me from real danger or is it holding me back from something I truly desire? And most of the time, the answer is clear: I need to move forward.

That mindset has shaped how I traveled, built my businesses, and stepped into new challenges.

If there’s one thing I’ve carried with me from my parents, it’s that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s the decision to act anyway.
Portrait image; Carina Holzapfel; WST Role Model
Carina Holzapfel
BOOSTLi

How did you become interested in tech?

I became interested in tech when I realized it’s the ultimate enabler. It wasn’t the technology itself that drew me in, but the way it can simplify complexity, create structure, and free up time. That’s what made me passionate about AI and automation – because they turn endless possibilities into systems that actually work.

Looking back, how have your experiences in analytical and finance roles influenced the way you approach building businesses, leading diverse teams, and shaping marketing strategy in innovative and sustainable ventures?

Looking back, my background in accounting and controlling gave me a solid understanding of numbers, structure, and analytical thinking. At Bosch and later with Swiss International Air Lines in Zurich, I learned how large organizations work and how important it is to stay structured in complex environments.

This still shapes the way I work today. I like to keep things efficient, and I always keep an eye on the data to steer decisions. It also influences how I think about marketing: for me, visibility isn’t something vague – it needs structure, a system, and a way to measure impact. That’s why I’m so passionate about using AI and automation, because they make growth not only innovative, but also simple and scalable.

Can you share a specific example where insights from your past experience helped you make a decision or solve a challenge in a way that also promoted diversity, inclusion, or collaboration within your team or community?

One insight I’ve gained from working with entrepreneurs on their personal branding is that almost everyone struggles with visibility. Many are afraid of showing up; they worry about what others might think, or that automation and AI will make them seem less authentic.

That experience has shaped the way I make decisions in my work. Instead of pushing one fixed strategy, I choose to adapt systems to each individual. Their brand, their goals, and their way of communicating need to stay true to who they are.

By doing that, I’ve seen how technology can actually promote inclusion and collaboration. It gives everyone, no matter their personality, a way to grow visibility in a way that feels authentic. In the end, it’s not about making everyone the same, but about creating space for different voices and styles to be heard.
Portrait image; Carina Holzapfel; WST Role Model
Carina Holzapfel
BOOSTLi

When you encounter a new technology, an unfamiliar market, or a challenge you’ve never faced before – like implementing AI or exploring automation – how do you approach learning it and turning it into an opportunity?

Whenever I encounter something new,  whether it’s a technology, a market, or a challenge I’ve never faced before; I approach it with curiosity first, not fear. I’ve learned that you don’t have to know everything from the beginning. What matters is to ask the right questions, stay open, and be willing to experiment.

I also make sure to surround myself with people who are already a few steps ahead in that field. By listening to different opinions, asking for feedback, and checking reliable sources, I can learn much faster and understand the bigger picture.

For me, learning always happens in two steps: first, I dive in hands-on and try things out; then I structure what I’ve learned into a system so it becomes repeatable. That way, even something unfamiliar like AI or automation quickly turns from overwhelming into an opportunity.

I believe growth happens exactly in those moments when you feel a bit uncomfortable. That’s usually the sign that you’re learning something new and if you keep going, it’s the same sign that you’re about to unlock the next opportunity.
Portrait image; Carina Holzapfel; WST Role Model
Carina Holzapfel
BOOSTLi

Have you ever had a role model that inspired you on your path?

I never had one single role model who guided me throughout my entire path. Instead, I’ve always drawn inspiration from many different people along the way.

For me, role models are not fixed, they change depending on the phase I’m in and what I need to grow. Sometimes it’s business leaders like Steve Jobs or Alex Hormozi whose boldness and ideas inspire me. Other times it’s spiritual teachers, friends, or even strangers I meet on a random day who leave me with a thought or perspective that stays.

I believe everyone has something to teach us, if we’re open to seeing it. That’s why I don’t look for one perfect role model. I try to learn from the diversity of people and experiences around me.
Portrait image; Carina Holzapfel; WST Role Model
Carina Holzapfel
BOOSTLi

What aspects of your work are you proudest of?

What makes me proudest is supporting inspiring entrepreneurs on their journey of building and growing a business. I know from my own experience that entrepreneurship is never just about the product, it’s about resilience, courage, and turning ideas into reality.

The way I support them is by giving their ideas and products the visibility they deserve. Especially with technical products, entrepreneurs often just want to focus on their craft but even the best innovation cannot succeed if nobody knows it exists. That’s where I step in: helping them to be seen and heard, and leveraging AI-driven content, predictive targeting, and engagement tools that turn marketing into something intelligent instead of manual.

What drives you at work?

What drives me at work is passion for entrepreneurship, for innovation, and for the possibilities technology creates. I love seeing ideas turn into reality and helping founders make that happen more efficiently with the right systems and tools.

What makes it truly fulfilling is that this work constantly connects me with inspiring people. Being surrounded by their energy, their courage, and their ideas is what excites me most and it’s what keeps me moving forward every day.

What has been your toughest challenge you faced while working in tech?

One of the toughest challenges I’ve faced in tech and in life, was with the hydrogen heating startup I built together with my dad. We had secured a German patent, moved forward with an international patent, and I had bootstrapped the whole company.

Then, very unexpectedly, my dad passed away. Suddenly I was left alone with the startup, the technology, and the responsibility for an investment I had taken. It was an incredibly difficult time, not only emotionally, but also practically, because with such an innovative technology it was nearly impossible to find someone else who could take it over.

In the end, I had to make a harsh decision: to shut the company down, instead of continuously pouring more time, energy, and resources into something I could no longer manage by myself. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve ever had to make, but it also taught me the importance of knowing when to let go and that sometimes, closing one chapter is the only way to open another.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast?

For me, favorite books and podcasts are never fixed, they change with the phase I’m in and the area where I want to grow.

When it comes to business, I really enjoy the books by Alex Hormozi. His way of breaking down growth and value creation resonates with me and often gives me very practical insights.

On a more personal level, one book that has deeply influenced me is Letting Go by David R. Hawkins. It’s a reminder that growth is not only about doing more, but also about releasing what no longer serves you.

What advice would you give other women in tech?

My advice: don’t be quiet. Stand up for yourself, own your voice, and go for what you want. In the end, there’s nothing to lose, only the chance to grow.

And what advice would you give women not yet working in tech that want to enter the field?

Don’t overthink it – just start. You don’t have to be a developer or an engineer to make an impact. Tech is not only about coding; it’s about building systems, creating visibility, and using innovation to make life and business more efficient.

If you’re curious, if you love solving problems, or if you want to be part of shaping the future, there’s a place for you.

Tech needs diversity – not just in gender, but in skills, perspectives, and ideas. Find the angle where your strengths meet technology, and go from there.
Portrait image; Carina Holzapfel; WST Role Model
Carina Holzapfel
BOOSTLi
Tags

Like this article?

Spread the word and share this article on social media!

Imprint          Privacy Policy          © 2021 We Shape Tech

Job

Openings

Welcoming

Diversity

Our newsletter will keep you posted on featured openings. Sign-up now!

HSLU is looking for a "Python for Data Scientists" Lecturer

HSLU is looking for a "Big Data Tools" Lecturer

Crack the Confidence Gap | 28 June 2017

Get in touch to attract diverse talent!

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

Join Your Fellow Shapers

Don't Miss a Thing

Sign up to receive our monthly newsletter and you’ll never miss an event or insightful article!

By signing-up you agree to our Privacy Policy.