Delve into the innovative world of Andreas Maurer, the driving force behind KeepLocal GmbH, in this insightful episode. Discover how Andreas transitioned from a tech expert to revolutionizing the local gift card market, bridging technology and community support. Key Topics Explored: KeepLocal’s mission to fill a vital market niche and foster sustainable community development. Overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles in the gift card industry. Integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experience. Andreas’ strategic vision for expanding KeepLocal's influence beyond Germany. Valuable lessons and advice from Andreas for those embarking on their own tech and entrepreneurial journeys. Strategies for scaling KeepLocal in challenging retail environments. The role of KeepLocal in promoting local economies and small businesses. Insights into the psychological aspects of gift-giving and consumer behavior. Challenges and triumphs in developing a local-focused business model. The impact of KeepLocal on local retail fintech and sustainability. Future plans for KeepLocal's expansion and potential international growth. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of how KeepLocal is reshaping the landscape of local commerce and community support, guided by Andreas Maurer's innovative vision. PS: interested in a FREE Strategy Call to discuss how these trends could impact your company's hiring?Email us at: [email protected] OR Visit Out Website HERE __________ TIMING & THEMES 00:00 - Introduction. 02:14 - Intro. Baldur Podcast. 02:20 - Start of the podcast 04:03 - Who is Andreas? 06:15 - How difficult was it to start a gift card business idea? 09:03 - Were you initially aware of the effect of gift cards? 10:23 - What is the range for the consumer, what can they buy? 11:06 - Wide range of products based on customer needs. 12:17 - What stage is the company at now? 14:50 - Benefits for Keep Local partners. 17:40 - The buyer of the gift card is usually not the one that redeems it... 19:37 - Is it possible to accurately track the success of the cards? 20:43 - Gift cards contribute to the sustainability of the partner's 22:39 - Idea of the gift сard is much bigger than it actually appears to be 24:51 - How I became part of the tech world... 31:21 - Difficulties in communicating with technical people... 36:17 - That would be a good solution. Who agrees with me? 38:40 - Gift cards from a technical point of view. 42:12 - German laws. How well do you cope with them? 45:34 - The business is a certain machine for handwriting. 48:04 - Advice for young people. 49:46 - Philosophy. It's going to be hard, but you have to do it. 52:16 - How do I talk to Andreas? 53:23 - What's the next round of growth for Keep Local? 56:32 - Will gift cards save the bad local economy? 58:26 - Thanks for watching! Come back again. 58:40 - Outro