In our latest spotlight, we had the pleasure of speaking with Michaela Stephen, co-founder of an innovative company, MATR, revolutionising the hospitality industry through sustainability. With an impressive journey rooted in social enterprise and circular economy principles, Michaela's story is a testament to purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
From Glasgow to Vienna: A Path of Purpose
Michaela’s story begins in Glasgow, UK, where she graduated from Strathclyde Business School with a degree in entrepreneurship and international business. Straight out of University, she dove into the world of social enterprise, working alongside a B2B social enterprise CEO. “It was inspiring,” Michaela reflects. “I fell in love with the concept of businesses that drive both profit and social impact.”
Her journey led her to Vienna, where she met her now-husband and entered the world of innovation consulting. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that her life took a pivotal turn. Alongside her future co-founder Verena, Michaela participated in an online "impact-thon," sparking the idea that would later transform the mattress industry.
Addressing a Hidden Waste Crisis: The Birth of a Company
Through the hackathon, Michaela and Verena discovered the staggering reality that 30 million mattresses end up in landfills across Europe every year. “If you stacked them, it’s 20,000 times the height of the Eiffel Tower,” Michaela shared, underscoring the environmental crisis.
Driven by this revelation, they began brainstorming solutions. What started as a weekend hackathon project turned into a full-fledged business. By 2022, Michaela and Verena had launched MATR, offering circular economy mattress solutions tailored for hotels, a sector that uses a high volume of mattresses.
“We’re now working in Austria and Germany with 11 paying hotel customers and have expanded our product portfolio from one mattress to three,” Michaela said proudly. Their innovation didn’t stop at mattresses—they’re now researching ways to further reduce waste through refurbishment and recycling.
Navigating the Challenges of a Traditional Industry
Breaking into the hospitality industry, especially post-pandemic, wasn’t easy. Hotels, a highly traditional sector, primarily focus on price and quality, with sustainability often being secondary. Michaela and her team have had to balance offering a sustainable product while remaining competitive in terms of cost. “We’ve spent the last two years refining our pricing and business model to scale effectively,” she explained.
Her advice for those venturing into this space? Understand your customer’s pain points. “Speak to your customers before you do anything,” Michaela emphasizes. “Don’t just assume your solution is the answer—find out what they actually need.”
The Power of Co-Founders and Maintaining Balance
Being an entrepreneur isn’t without its challenges. For Michaela, the strength of her partnership with Verena has been a critical pillar of support. “Without my co-founder, I honestly don’t know where I’d be,” she admits. Their complementary skills and mutual accountability have helped them weather tough times together.
Michaela is also passionate about maintaining a balanced work-life routine. From the outset, she and Verena decided against the typical "hustle culture" that glorifies overworking. “We made a rule that we’re not signing up for this crazy work-hour culture that startups often promote. Our health and well-being come first.”
Inspiration and Achievements Along the Way
When asked what motivates her, Michaela spoke of the inspiration she finds in other founders and the younger generation. “We often get approached by students who want to base their dissertations on what we’re doing. It’s inspiring to see how much these topics mean to the next generation.”
One of her proudest moments was when they completed a full-scale installation for a new eco-built hotel in Austria earlier this year. “Walking through that hotel and seeing 150 of our mattresses in use was surreal. It was a reminder of why we’re doing this.”
Looking Ahead
As Michaela reflects on the past two years, she’s clear that there’s more work to be done. They’re currently focused on achieving product-market fit and exploring new avenues for growth, including possibly expanding into the B2C market. The vision for the future is exciting, but Michaela remains grounded in the present, working tirelessly to prove their business model and scale their impact.
For those starting their entrepreneurial journey, Michaela’s advice is simple:
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’re going to hit bumps along the way, but stay focused on your mission.”
Michaela’s’ journey is a powerful reminder that impactful change often starts with a simple idea—and the courage to act on it.
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