INSPIRERAD AV - ELIN & KARIN

Inspired By is the format where we meet women of different ages and in various industries who inspire us. We have met the women behind Sparrow Hotel - Elin Roquet and Karin Kjöllerström - for a conversation about creating an inspiring destination, golden rules, and the importance of recovery. From left: Elin Roquet & Karin Kjöllerström WHAT HAS BEEN THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE BEHIND CREATING AN INSPIRING MEETING PLACE LIKE SPARROW HOTEL? Elin & Karin: We want to create a place that doesn't exist in Stockholm today. A feeling of being abroad in your own city. We consistently deliver uncompromising, high-level service, where Sparrow is her own person, and we are all aware of who she is. This feeling and person should permeate everything we do. Whether traveling for work or pleasure, we want everyone to feel at home at Sparrow; to find inspiration and a safe oasis where you can be yourself. Image: Sparrow HotelHOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND GETTING READY IN THE MORNING? ELIN: 15 minutes max; it mustn't take longer than that! KARIN: 15 minutes! 5 minutes in the shower, 5 minutes with the curling iron, and 5 minutes for makeup. An old habit from my time as a flight attendant when there were many unreasonably early morning flights. IF YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES TO SPARE IN THE MORNING, WHAT DO YOU DO? ELIN: If, by any chance, I have 10 minutes to spare, I'd probably spend that time drinking another cup of coffee… KARIN: If I had 10 minutes to spare, I would sit at the breakfast table and have a coffee with my husband, children, and dog! Image: Sparrow Hotel WHAT IS RECOVERY FOR YOU? ELIN: This is my absolute worst area... But recovery for me can be getting off the subway one stop earlier in the morning and walking the rest of the way to the hotel. Or taking a long walk with the dogs on the weekend; I love routines, and the dog walk is almost vital for me. KARIN: I try to achieve recovery through exercise. I have fixed days every week where I try to plan so that I can get out for a really sweaty workout at the gym or take a 7 km run around Djurgården. I feel so much healthier and more energetic afterward. Even my sleep quality improves significantly. This, combined with a really good dinner with the family, leaves me feeling properly recovered! Elin in her favorite Elena Wrap Blazer WHICH 4 GOLDEN RULES DO YOU LIVE BY? ELIN: 1. Family always comes first. 2. Loyalty - It is hugely important to me to be able to trust the people around me, whether they are employees, family, or friends. My relationships today are characterized by loyalty, humility, but also by caring for each other. The pace of life today is so incredibly high, and I don't really have the time in my life for people other than those I fully trust. 3. Active listening - This has been something of a key to success privately and in my job. Regardless of the meeting, I try to listen to understand. 4. Flexibility - As an employer, it is my responsibility to facilitate a daily life where family and work harmonize; anything else feels incredibly outdated today. Karin in the Jay Polo Dress KARIN: 1. Structure - I try to always be somewhat structured in my life. I read up before most things, organize, and often identify a goal that I need to address. 2. Clear goals - When I have a clear goal, I become very focused. If I don't have a clear goal in a project, I become restless and disengaged instead. 3. Listening - In the midst of my structuring and my goal-setting are my family, friends, and colleagues. It is important not to just charge ahead or run over them, but instead be attentive and listen. This has become one of my most important life rules. 4. I also try to be a good person and always say hello, thank you, and sorry.