Bert Overlack, TEAM U
24 November 2025
“From my own experience, I know the challenges that crises can pose for entrepreneurs and small business owners. It would be a privilege to play a part in EWEU’s transformation and progress—helping to build on its strengths and its greatest asset: its members, while further developing and enhancing its services.”
Statement
One of my favourite quotes is from Henry Ford: “If you continue doing today what you have already done yesterday, you will become tomorrow what you are already today.” A world that is rapidly changing imposes not only challenges on our European SME businesses, but also on EWEU as a network and organisation. I would be honoured to contribute to the ongoing development of EWEU.
My Areas of Interest
Family Businesses
I come from a family-business background, having grown up in an entrepreneurial environment and experienced both the joys and the challenges of entrepreneurship. Today, I support family businesses in preparing for succession and navigating this complex process successfully.
SMEs in Crisis
As an entrepreneur, I experienced a severe crisis following a 50% global market downturn after the 2009 financial crisis, which eventually led to my company’s insolvency in 2011. In my daily work in crisis prevention, management, and restarts with family businesses, I draw upon this experience—combining my competencies and track record in business restructuring with my entrepreneurial background and a personal understanding of the emotional challenges entrepreneurs face in times of crisis.
Personal Growth
Personal growth is my highest value. Supporting others—especially SME entrepreneurs—in using crisis as an opportunity for both personal and entrepreneurial development is not only a key part of my professional work, but also the central topic of my keynote speeches.
About Me
If you were to ask my friends about my strengths, they would probably mention my analytical thinking, ideation, and my strong focus on the human side of everything.
My Motivation
From my own experience, I know the challenges that crises can pose for entrepreneurs and small business owners. For almost ten years, I have been involved with EWEU as the representative for TEAM U, Germany. I would be honoured to contribute my personality, experience, and skills to the future development of EWEU.
It would be a privilege to play a part in EWEU’s transformation and progress—helping to build on its strengths and its greatest asset: its members, while further developing and enhancing its services.