A red carpet and golden cord lead the way to the small, exclusive boutique in the Kö-Center, where lavishly decorated, handmade women's shoes are displayed on glass shelves like precious objects. Below these are pumps with breathtakingly high heels, crafted from the finest leather, velvet and silk; ankle boots featuring three-dimensional embroidery; and black-and-white sneakers from the ‘Panda’ collection. There are also true works of art, adorned with feathers, pearls, rhinestones and embroidery. Prices per pair range from 450 to 5,000 Euro. Dressed entirely in black with a gold-embroidered shawl, Linda Liu advises a handful of Chinese customers. The petite businesswoman moves around on platform soles and very high heels that make her appear at least 15 centimetres taller. Our interview is conducted in German and Chinese with the help of an interpreter.

Nicole Karuvallil has lived in Düsseldorf for almost two decades. After obtaining a degree in Economics from Wuppertal University and a Master's degree in International Management from London University, she embarked on a career in marketing and advertising. Three years ago, while working at digihub Düsseldorf, Nicole discovered her passion for startups, and she has remained committed to this field ever since. She took on the role of managing director at TechHub.K67 on 1 June 2025. She also heads the international recruitment agency Inxpert Talent Bridge.