Success stories

Ondine considers herself to be a creative person and has been involved in the music industry and management throughout her life. Entrepreneurship and the creation of new businesses and concepts is inherent to her. She has always had a very strong connection with the sea and began to think about changing her life and opening a new business related to freediving activities. Steffen Ehrath is a German entrepreneur and owner of a company Wahoo Diving Unipessoal LDA, a dive center in Azores island that Seteffen started in 2015. The relationship between Ondine and Steffen has been based on a great closeness and a spirit of mutual support, encompassing experience, processes and strategy management, operational and marketing-related activities and customer relations.

From an entrepreneurial perspective, Ondine actively engaged in various business operations, strengthening her understanding of managing a tourism-based venture. A typical working day involved preparing and organising equipment, welcoming clients, conducting safety and logistics briefings, managing boat operations, and ensuring a seamless customer experience. She also participated in training sessions, supervised freediving activities, and coordinated equipment maintenance. These activities provided Ondine with hands-on experience in operational efficiency, customer engagement, and service excellence—key elements for building a successful business in the tourism sector.

Ondine had the opportunity to receive valuable insights from an entrepreneur with international experience. Steffen has worked in several countries as an instructor, making him highly skilled in his field. Through the EYE programme, Ondine was able to refine her business plan by enhancing her strategic approach, logistics, customer relations, and partnerships. She also gained knowledge on improving training programs and adding value to business operations. For Steffen, Ondine’s presence was instrumental in broadening his understanding of the French market, attracting clients, and fostering collaborations and synergies within his company.