My Story
Who is Dagmar Trippen?
And Why Am I Your (German) Swiss Army Knife?
My story crosses countries, cultures, industries, functions, and organizations of every stage and size - from solo entrepreneurs and startups to small businesses, nonprofits, privately held companies, and multi-billion-dollar corporations.
It began in Germany, where I learned the ropes of public relations at Leo Kirch, assisted the CMO of Computer 2000 AG - one of Europe’s leading providers of IT products at the time - and conducted my first competitive analysis for Cartier. Yes, the famous French jeweler.
I went on to build and lead Tiffany for Business in Germany, back when most Germans still associated the name Tiffany with lamps rather than little blue boxes. Later, I spearheaded the global rebranding of SEITZ – The Fresher Company, a 125-year-old chemical manufacturer with clients in 62 countries. From packaging and advertising to international trade shows, I gave the company a consistent face - and represented it as its public relations spokesperson.
From the Corporate World to Becoming a Serial Entrepreneur.
I launched my first company - DT Consult! - in 2004. Among other engagements, the mayor of my hometown (20,000+ residents) personally chose me for a 2-year project to strengthen the town’s tourism business and build the municipality’s marketing department.
A year later, while continuing my consulting work, an unexpected request for an emerald ring led to a second business. What began as a side hustle had grown into a successful high-end jewelry brand by 2007: UNIQUEbyDAGMARTRIPPEN, built around one-of-a-kind fine jewelry. A custom-made piece from UNIQUE that reflected their personality, current mindset, and lifestyle had intrinsic meaning for discerning clients in Europe and the U.S.
Then Life Rewrote the Plan.
In 2011, I moved from Germany to New York City to support a career opportunity for my then-husband on a four-year expatriate assignment.
I put my business on hold and arrived as what I frankly was: a dependent wife without a work permit, a bank account, or even a valid driver’s license. It took me three years to get a credit card in my own name. And yes, after 35 years of driving, in my own style, of course, I had to take my road test again. In the Bronx, no less!
While helping my two adolescent sons adapt to a new country, language, and school system, and discovering that even math was apparently a language of its own, I supported fundraising for The Dwight School Foundation and studied at the Gemological Institute of America. The plan was to reopen my jewelry business when we returned to Germany. After all, my friends and clients were waiting for me.
Expect the Unexpected.
During those four years abroad, my marriage of 20 years fell apart. My former husband returned to Germany. I decided to take the leap and build a new life in the United States with my two sons.
My sons and I traded busy New York City for a quieter life on Long Island. There, I gathered every piece of experience I had collected along the way - public relations, marketing, sales, branding, strategy, and operations - and started my second consulting business in 2015.
Four years later, while we were still living on Long Island, my sons and I became proud U.S. citizens. We were sworn in the day before Thanksgiving in 2019, which will always be a wonderful reminder of how grateful we are to call this country home.
Finally putting down roots
A few more moves and professional detours followed. I led capital campaign work for the YMCA in Pennsylvania and built the marketing and public relations division for a Korean biotech startup in New Jersey before finally landing in the Capital Region of New York. In 2024, we found a new home in Latham. After 13 years and 11 moves, I finally settled down, put down roots again, and relaunched Dagmar Trippen Consulting.
Looking back, all those different chapters of my career finally make sense together.
I have worked inside large corporations and built businesses from scratch. I have worked in public relations, marketing, branding, sales, business development, and operations. I have been the consultant and the business owner. I know what it is like to start over, figure things out, and wear far too many hats.
In other words, I became a Swiss Army Knife long before I started calling myself one.
Today, I work as a business advisor and public relations specialist for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. I look at the whole, dig into the details, and identify the good, the bad, the ugly, and the missing.
Because you don’t need to know every aspect of running a business.
That’s my wheelhouse!
3 Experiences That Shaped How I Work
Becoming a cosmopolitan by heart.
I have traveled across four continents. My multicultural background is not simply part of my bio. It is in my DNA.
Being in countries where I did not speak the language taught me to listen and communicate differently. I learned to pay attention to tone, facial expressions, body language, hesitation, and silence.
That changed how I work. Today, I read the room. I hear what people say, but I also listen for what they don’t say and notice where they hesitate or react to one another. Often, that is where I find the real problem.
Systemic constellation work.
Rooted in Bert Hellinger’s Family Constellation method, this experiential approach uncovers the hidden dynamics that can undermine families, teams, and organizations.
Knowing the right strategy is usually the easy part. Getting an entire team to understand it, support it, and pull in the same direction is the real challenge.
Getting certified, I learned that other people’s reactions often have very little to do with us. Most of the time, their behavior comes from what lies beneath the surface: family dynamics, personal triggers, past experiences, or pressures we know nothing about. That helps me step back, not react defensively, and look for what is actually driving the situation.
Dancing Argentine Tango
Learning to dance Argentine Tango has surprisingly taught me a lot about working as a consultant.
On the dance floor, it doesn’t matter how good a dancer you are if you cannot attune yourself to your partner, their pace, their needs, and their limitations. That is why one of Tango’s golden rules is that to be a good leader, you first need to be a good follower.
The same is true in business. Knowing when to lead, when to follow, when to move, and when to wait can be just as important as knowing what to do.
Only when we are in synch we do outperform.