She Means Business

The German state of Saxony recently selected Gerhild Sacher of Annaberg-Buchholz as Entrepreneur of the Year. In a short seven years she has developed an international jewelry case and display box business that has brought her recognition and benefitted her community.

When free enterprise was established in eastern Germany, Sister Sacher was in the right place at the right time with the right talents to begin her business. She started her company in 1991 by teaming up with a mentor-partner who had experience with free enterprise and by leasing equipment from the state-owned factory where she worked.

Sister Sacher had many personal resources to apply to the business. She studied economics and foreign trade at the Berlin School of Business in 1971–75 while working at a state-owned materials packing plant. By 1986 she had advanced to become the plant’s export manager for jewelry cases.

But she possessed more than just training and experience. She also had ambition and energy, a bright outlook on life, a willingness to work, and a supportive husband, Siegfried—successful in his own right as the manager of another company.

Within two years Sister Sacher paid off her mentor. Today she owns a large five-story building wherein beautiful leather and velour jewelry cases and display boxes are made and packaged. She has developed an international market, with many of her company’s 350 products exported to Europe, the United States, Japan, and elsewhere.

“I believe that through the gospel I have been prepared very well for my present assignment. I derive from the gospel my daily strength and motivation,” states Sister Sacher.

The Chemnitz and Dresden Morgenpost newspaper reported on 2 September 1996 that her business was “like balm to the wounds of the economically depressed Erzgebirge [area of Germany].” Indeed, Sister Sacher, who feels a great obligation to help her community, hires many people who would otherwise be part of the large unemployed population of Annaberg-Buchholz.

Sister Sacher is also a member of the city council. Her husband is president of the Dresden Germany Stake; their sons, Dierk, age 25, and Ulf, 23, are fifth-generation Latter-day Saints.

Sister Sacher serves as second counselor in the Primary of the Annaberg Ward, as well as a Primary and Relief Society teacher.—George and Helen Blake, public affairs, Europe West Area, Frankfurt, Germany