Q&A with Julia and Bernhard
Q&A with Julia and Bernhard
At a‑connect, entrepreneurship isn’t a title, it’s a mindset. It shapes how we think, how we decide, and how we partner with our clients.
In this conversation, Julia and Bernhard share how wearing both hats, client service partners and owner, sharpens decision‑making, strengthens partnerships, and ultimately helps us show up as better, more committed partners for our clients, our colleagues and our independent consultants.
Whether you are a client, consultant, or simply interested in our story, we hope these videos offer inspiration and insight into what makes a-connect unique. We invite you to watch, reflect, and connect with us as we continue to shape the future together.
At a‑connect, many of us wear multiple hats, leading teams, building the business, and taking responsibility beyond a single role.
We asked Julia Neubauer and Bernhard Stadler how balancing their roles as Managing Directors and business owners helps them see challenges from different perspectives and ultimately create more value for clients.
Julia: “How do you balance your role as Managing Director with being a business owner?”
Bernhard: “I think the answer to the question is that the two are one and the same. I don’t know where the aspect of balancing comes in. I’m grateful that, as a Managing Director, I’m also a co-owner of the company. I think it aligns your thinking and sharpens your thinking on what really matters. And something that you have often said, Julia, is to think through the lens of an owner in whatever decision you take, whatever role you have in this company, is a good North Star to help you take your decisions in everyday life. That’s why I think the two come together very nicely, and I don’t think of them as balance.”
Julia: “The one thing that comes to mind for me is that, as a Managing Director, you tend to think more about the impact you can drive more day to day and in the shorter term, and you need to make sure that you have a well-oiled engine, so to speak, also in the short run. As a business owner, you think much more long-term. So, I actually believe the two balance each other out very well, given that we obviously have the dual hat on.”
Bernhard: ”Agree, the long- and the short-term perspective.”
Being a strong partner means continuously reflecting on where we can do better, for our clients, independent consultants, and teams.
With 2026 ahead, we asked Julia and Bernhard what they will focus on, both individually and as a company, to further strengthen a‑connect as a trusted partner.
Bernhard: ”What is your 2026 resolution?”
Julia: “To make it a really exciting and really fruitful year for a-connect, not only as a company, but also for colleagues, the existing ones, the new ones, for our clients, and for our independent consultants. And to make real progress, not only along our entrepreneurial journey, but also our journey as a business.”
Bernhard: “I think that’s a good resolution for a‑connect. The first thought that came to my mind is finding a better balance between my passion and joy for everything a‑connect and everything else that is also in my life, which is my family, my hobbies, time to exercise and do sports, and being out in nature. So that is probably my resolution: to find a better balance there than I did this year.”
Julia: “Equally important, Bernie. So, a very good one.”
At a‑connect, ownership is not limited to titles or equity, it’s a mindset shared across the organization. To understand how this collective sense of ownership helps build stronger, more trusted relationships with clients, independent consultants, and each other, we asked Julia and Bernhard how their dual roles influence the way they approach client partnerships.
Bernhard: ”How does being a co-owner influence your perspective on client partnerships?”
Julia: “I think this one is easy, Bernie. We were obviously thinking long term before, being in the process of building our careers. But obviously as an owner of a-connect, I think even more long term. I think about building sustainable client relationships. I think about investing in those relationships very differently than in a more transactional environment. And I think that helps us also as a company make better decisions.”
Bernhard: “Maybe to add to what you said, just one thought: as a co-owner, as an entrepreneur, I think it’s easier to put yourself in your client’s shoes, but also in your colleagues’ shoes. Taking that holistic perspective, I think it makes you a better advisor and partner to both your clients and your colleagues.”
Julia: “Yes”
Register for our newsletter to receive curated insights directly to your inbox.
