Margot Konigshofer profile

Margot Konigshofer

The widespread advantages of diversity and gender parity in leadership and decision-making are becoming more widely acknowledged in many domains, as women are being identified as strong agents of change. It has also become evident that the advancement of gender justice and equality, as well as the advancement of social, political, and economic advancement for all, depends on women holding positions of leadership and decision-making at all levels. There’s never been a stronger argument for balancing the power dynamics in leadership: increasing the number of women in positions of decision-making is good for communities, businesses, and politics. 

This trend underscores the importance of highlighting exemplary women leaders who break through barriers and excel in their respective fields. One such remarkable individual is Margot Königshofer, the CEO and Founder of PROCFIT GmbH. Margot’s leadership stands as a testament to the transformative impact of women in positions of authority. Her innovative approach, coupled with a dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity, has propelled PROCFIT GmbH to new heights.

Margot’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed; she has been recognized as one of The Most Emerging Women CEOs of the Year 2024. Through her leadership, Margot exemplifies the qualities of resilience, vision, and determination that are essential for driving success in today’s dynamic business landscape.

From the Scratch

Being that someone who comes from a very happy upbringing, Margot grew up in a peaceful farm in the countryside with her parents and grandparents. Her folks kept her in-sync with the traditions and roots, which resulted in her long lasting closeness to nature and a strong affinity towards local/regional food.

“When I was 6 years old, I had a very serious accident in Italy, a traumatic brain injury – I felt like I had 100 guardian angels that everything turned out well in the end – I now celebrate my birthday twice a year”, Margot recalls.

Growing up for a long time, Margot was clueless about what she wanted to be when she grew up, but entrepreneurship was something she always dreamt of, with a clear intention of making a difference to the society. She ventured into central purchasing for a retail company, right after her studies, and after a point she wanted to try her luck at the other side of sourcing. She then worked in Germany/Frankfurt at Nestlé and during this period Margot traveled a lot because she was buying herbs and spices for Europe. “Then I returned to my home country, Austria, where I was Head of Purchasing at Nestlé Austria before I founded my company Procfit”,
Margot shared.

Journey towards Procfit

Margot’s path into business was motivated by her deep-seated passion of freedom and self-determination, as well as her desire to share her abundance of supply chain management knowledge and effect change. She worked for years in the world of multinational organizations before founding Procfit, and she longed for a change toward more independence. During this time, eight years ago, Margot accepted parenthood for the first time, a transformative event that sparked her business endeavor.

Recognizing the invaluable flexibility that comes with managing one’s own time, especially with a growing family, Margot was inspired to create Procfit, driven by a vision to cater specifically to the needs of startups and young entrepreneurs in optimizing their supply chains. Observing a gap in the market for tailored supply chain solutions within this demographic, Margot seized the opportunity to fill
this void.

Embracing the challenges inherent in founding a company for the first time, Margot likens the experience to constructing a house—learning through trial and error and discovering opportunities for improvement along the way. Despite the inevitable missteps, Margot remains undeterred, fueled by her unwavering belief in the vast potential for growth and innovation.

In recent years, Procfit has undergone a notable evolution, transitioning its focus from building supply chains predominantly in Asia to specializing in European markets. This strategic shift reflects Margot’s astute recognition of emerging opportunities and her commitment to adapting to changing industry dynamics.

As the CEO

Margot’s work ethic is centered on process optimization and sharp attention to detail since she thinks that well-defined roles and clear organizational structures are essential for long-term, sustainable operation. Since the beginning of her business endeavors, she has methodically arranged every service offering—lead generation, sales conversion, and delivery—like an assembly line.

Recognizing the complexity inherent in sourcing and supply chain management, Margot emphasizes the necessity of continuous learning and expertise development. Within her team, she exclusively recruits project managers with extensive purchasing experience, ensuring the ability to negotiate with suppliers on equal footing and possess relevant specialist knowledge. Margot’s commitment to fostering a stable workforce is reflected in the company’s notably low turnover rate, preserving a wealth of knowledge and fostering a strong team spirit.

Moreover, Margot’s proactive approach to staying abreast of industry trends and innovations is exemplified through regular attendance at international trade fairs and the integration of AI technologies to augment operational efficiency. Each project undertaken by Margot and her team is approached with a bespoke strategy, tailored to accommodate the unique requirements of the product and the customer, considering factors such as certificates, country of origin, and individual client profiles, whether they be early-stage startups, scaling enterprises, or established retailers like FBA/Amazon.

On a Personal Note

Beyond her professional avatar as a Boss Woman, Margot is a hardcore pleasure seeker at heart. Anything which guides her away from the mundane way of life, be it cooking, food, architecture, fashion, good music or even exercise, Margot is all in for it.

Through this conversational interview when we asked Margot how she balances her personal life and her professional life, she exclaimed – “I could say “walks in the woods”, I could say “eating a piece of chocolate”; I could say “when I look into my children’s eyes I forget all the stress” – but none of that is true”.

Finding the delicate equilibrium between personal and professional life has been a profound challenge for Margot, a lesson learned through years of intentional “me time” pursuits. Recognizing the importance of self-care, she regularly carves out brief respites from the demands of work and family obligations to indulge in solitary activities that replenish her spirit. Gratefully, Margot credits her supportive husband and parents for facilitating these moments of rejuvenation.

Reflecting on her journey, Margot acknowledges the significant impact of childhood experiences on professional growth and conflict resolution. She firmly believes that effective leadership begins with mastering self-leadership, a journey rooted in self-understanding. Margot’s evolution as a leader has been markedly influenced by her roles as a mother to two daughters, instilling a newfound gentleness and empathy into her leadership approach.

In the Days to Come

When we personally asked Noëlle to elaborate on what she looks forward to achieving in the days to come for Egidays, she shared – “Over the next five to ten years, I envision Egidays evolving into a leading provider of menstrual health solutions, making significant strides towards our mission of promoting menstrual hygiene and accessibility, first in Switzerland, and then internationally”. Through this elaborate conversation she explained the company’s immediate plan which is on developing the Egy Model 1, which will be Switzerland’s 2^nd generation free menstrual dispenser. This innovative dispenser will offer organic tampons and pads, setting a new standard for menstrual hygiene products in the country. The Egy Model 1 will be equipped with cutting-edge features, including a built-in timer to prevent theft and ensure accessibility for all (also Swiss designed by highly qualified engineers). “This unique functionality will set us apart from existing solutions and enhance the user experience”, Noëlle exclaimed.

Furthermore, to fuel their growth and innovation, Noëlle looks forward to raising Egidays’ first seed round by pitching their idea to investors by the end of 2024, whose funds will be used on deploying The Egy Model 1. And Noëlle is particularly keen on having Egidays installed in all public bathrooms across the country, ensuring widespread access to free period products for all menstruators, and at the same time, attempting to change the way Swiss people look at menstruations as well. “With a strong foothold in Switzerland, we will explore opportunities for international expansion by the end of 2025 most probably”, the Founder and CEO of Egidays concluded.

On a Personal Note

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Noëlle Demole enjoys a variety of hobbies that contribute to her personal growth and well-being. She practices boxing to stay fit and build resilience, and she has a passion for freediving with sharks, whales, and orcas, allowing her to connect with marine life. Growing up in Switzerland, skiing has always been a significant part of her life. She loves salsa dancing for its social and creative aspects and is currently training for the Mont Blanc summit, which challenges her physically and mentally. Caring for her white shepherd, Leon, and running with him helps her relax and stay active. She also enjoys organizing movie nights with friends and swimming in the lake, a practice she learned from her mother. These diverse activities help Noëlle maintain a balanced and fulfilling life, enabling her to stay energized and focused on her professional and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Advancing Menstrual Equity

Noëlle Demole is optimistic about the future of the broader movement for menstrual equity, which is gaining significant momentum worldwide. In Switzerland and beyond, important conversations and debates are unfolding regarding various aspects of menstrual equity. These discussions include the prominence of providing women with menstrual leave to address the impact of menstrual pain and discomfort on productivity and well-being. Some countries and companies are beginning to implement such policies. Additionally, there is a growing push for free access to period products in public spaces globally, including schools, universities, workplaces, and other facilities, aiming to eradicate period poverty.

The demand for organic and safer alternatives, such as organic cotton, has increased as a result of the growing awareness of the health hazards associated with conventional menstrual products. Countries are also reevaluating taxes on menstrual products to make them more affordable by recognizing them as essential items rather than luxury commodities. In an effort to guarantee educational access for all students, legislative initiatives and experimental projects in numerous countries are designed to mandate the use of free-period products in schools.

Noëlle Demole sees the present moment in Switzerland as a distinctive opportunity with significant potential for the development and implementation of solutions for reproductive equity. She is of the opinion that Egidays can play a critical role in this movement. She is a fervent proponent of universal access to menstrual products, underscoring the significance of addressing period poverty on a global scale through Egidays. Shere Khan Youth Protection, an NGO established in 2018, receives approximately 10% of Egidays’ revenue to provide financial assistance to students, a reflection of her dedication to social impact.