Another inspiring story
Why I Give My All for an Inclusive Labor Market
Not every story begins with a flying start. Mine began with trial and error. Due to major events in my childhood, I developed a physical disability that affects my ability to stand and walk — something that marked my life, but also gave it direction. Because when you learn early on what it’s like to be on the sidelines, you understand just how important it is to be seen and heard.
Safety, opportunities, education — for me, these are not abstract concepts. They are anchors. Things I give everything for, because I know what it feels like when they are missing.
Living as a Survival Strategy
I grew up in a children’s home where books were taboo. Precisely because of that, reading became my form of freedom. Learning and developing became my way of breathing. Of surviving. It took me from special education to a bachelor’s degree in applied sciences, to a job at the Public Prosecution Service, and eventually to something I never dared dream of: my own company.
Alongside my professional career, I was ranked among the top six wheelchair dancers in the world for years. The discipline and dedication I developed through competitive sport are things I bring with me into my work as a social entrepreneur.
Not one, but two: Ictoria and Xtoria. Two social enterprises with one mission: to give people who are seen as having a distance to the labor market a real place. Not just on paper, but in practice. Not inclusion because we have to, but because it works. Because it’s fair.
No Opportunity Without Ownership
With Ictoria and Xtoria, we’ve already helped over 500 people into sustainable employment. No standard programs, but personalized guidance. To do that, I also trained as a job coach — to truly see the people behind the résumés. In addition, I’m active as a speaker and columnist, sharing my experiences and insights on topics like the job agreement, social entrepreneurship, and inclusive employment.
But I’ve also learned that getting a chance is different from taking it. I’ve had amazing mentors, but I’ve also had to keep my own fire burning. Growth doesn’t happen by itself. It takes courage, and ownership — that’s where the power of difference lies.
Time to Make Space
After years of entrepreneurship, I noticed the balance had shifted. The operation was growing, and the space for human connection was shrinking. So I decided to hand over my companies. Not because I care any less, but because I believe my approach can have greater impact on a larger scale.
Since the handover, I’ve been working within an organization that shares my values. It takes some getting used to — like a first date where you’re not quite sure who should speak first. But I feel at home in the idea that we’re working on something bigger than ourselves.
Dreams for the Future
I dream of a society where social entrepreneurship is no longer the exception, but the standard. Where inclusion is not a project, but the foundation. A world in which everyone gets the chance to fulfill their potential, regardless of background, challenges, or education.
Do you also want to help build a world where opportunities are truly shared fairly? Where social entrepreneurship means no one has to remain on the sidelines? Through Just Nadia, I combine experience, courage, and vision to help organizations realize that change. Because making a difference is never something you do alone.
More information about Nadia can be found on her website.