Thilo Schotte. Born and raised in a small town in Westphalia/Germany, I enjoyed the shelter of a village-like community. All I knew was the peaceful prosperity Germany was experiencing in these decades. I took it for granted and did not worry too much about the bigger picture. Still, I always felt this inner desire to conquer and somehow shape the world – without much detail what that could mean. I decided to study business administration, mainly to keep as many options as possible. That has led me to Germany’s French border, and later to Southern France.

My first fulltime job then was in strategy consulting. I’ll never regret that choice as strategic consulting teaches for abstract problem solving in a way that has helped me along my path numerous times. But I was missing something. Being part of the problem-solving often lacks being part of the solution, something you can touch and feel beyond Powerpoint slides. 

As a child I dreamt of becoming an architect but did not have the courage to put all my bullets for that dream. Sheer luck got me into advertising. Close enough, I thought, as advertising is all about emotions and yes, there is something you can touch and feel in the end. It was a hell of a ride as I was honored with the opportunity to run a global automotive account for over a decade. That was the best of all worlds: products I love, fun projects, and the incredible opportunity to travel the world throughout extensively, mingle with the finest people from all cultures and backgrounds.

It was fun, and fair to say that we had an impact. But I must admit, I was somehow lacking my personal higher purpose, and I was always striving to find what I am ultimately here for in this world. 

I finally found that in Africa. From day one of my first visit in the mid-nineties, I felt a sense of belonging. I was embraced by the warmth of the people, even superficial contacts feel like a deep connection. I was embraced by the sheer beauty of African nature, the colors that change over the day, taking my breath away still after dozens of visits. I started to inhale the heritage and values and got rid of the one-dimensional judging on Africa that we all grew up with in the Northern Hemisphere. I literally started to see Africa with different eyes, and the world through a different lens from an African point of view. Finally, I became Honorary Consul of Botswana, and that gave me a platform to act on.

In 2021 I decided to shape my new life of independence with a purpose. That’s what Schotte Creative Capital is all about.

Schotte Creative Capital is committed to a purpose: 

Enjoying the happiness of the moment, inspired by the higher purpose of Ubuntu morality: an authentic individual human being is part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental and spiritual world: "I am because we are." 

The giraffe is one of the most iconic animals in Africa. She combines calm with grace and vulnerability. The giraffe owns a natural view from above, seeing far to the horizon and making its decisions based on that perspective. She moves fast, if necessary, but never seems hectic and always keeps its elegance. She is thoughtful and efficient, is rather individualistic, yet with a sense of belonging. With these characteristics, the giraffe embodies what Schotte Creative Capital is supposed to inherit.