In an interview: Ex-tennis professional and entrepreneur Jörg Schors"

There are so many exciting and interesting tennis stories. We want to share one of them with you today. Namely the story of Jörg Schors , an ex-tennis professional who is now a successful entrepreneur.
The Aachen resident has been running a large car rental company for many years and, in conversation with tennis entrepreneur Marc Raffel, draws parallels between the tennis and professional worlds. In his opinion, the following applies to both the tennis professional and the entrepreneur: "I have to be completely convinced of my actions!"

Marc Raffel: What skills and abilities should a tennis professional have in particular?
J. Schors: In addition to good coordination skills and discipline, mental strength is what counts most. When it comes to the big points, you have to be able to grab them and go one better. Then it's time to exploit the maximum potential.

Marc Raffel: Why didn't you continue working on your promising tennis career back then?
J. Schors: I played at satellite level (today: ITF World Tennis Tour) for too long and it was unsatisfactory. Since I had always been interested in business and the income prospects of a tennis career were not the best, I started to change my mind. The situation on the capital market at the time motivated me to get involved there.

Marc Raffel: Did you find the transition to your new job difficult?
J. Schors: No (laughs). I was successful quite quickly and was quickly convinced of my new path.

Marc Raffel: What was particularly important during this time?
J. Schors: Above all, on the capital market you have to be informed and be able to react quickly, which initially means working day and night. At the same time, I founded my car rental company in order to build up a second source of business. I already knew this industry from my parents. Since things could and did quickly go in a different direction in the new market, this was a good decision.

Marc Raffel: Did you make a smooth transition or did you move into a new professional life step by step?
J. Schors: Well, there was a transition process over about a year, so I always played one or two tournaments.

Marc Raffel: Today you are a partner and managing director of SMILE car rental.
What challenges did you have to face at the start of your new job? J. Schors: I got to know the industry completely from the basics up and went through every step myself. At the beginning, I personally handed the car over to the customer and also conducted the consultation beforehand. This basic work made it easier for me to plan and drive forward the further development and expansion of SMILE car rental.

Marc Raffel: From today's perspective, would you always make this decision again?
J. Schors: Yes, definitely!

Marc Raffel: What makes SMILE car rental offers particularly interesting?
J. Schors: We consciously try to differentiate ourselves from the big competitors, for example with flexible long-term rentals.
We offer a truly transparent “all-in price” and do not charge the customer through the back door via additional costs or, above all, later damage, as most models are rented with a €0 deductible. Our service for our target group of traders also stands out in that we strive to provide dedicated contact persons. In the event of an emergency, the commercial customer also has me as a direct contact person, so that any problems can be resolved quickly and personally. I admire Roger Federer!

Marc Raffel: What requirements of a tennis professional are also present in your current everyday life as the managing director of a medium-sized company?
J. Schors: Extreme stressful situations have to be dealt with in both areas. You have to stay focused and objective. It is essential to have a solid strategy that you stick to even in special situations. I have to be completely convinced of my actions.

Marc Raffel: To what extent is your company affected by the corona crisis?
J. Schors: We notice fewer negative effects when it comes to long-term rentals. We are currently roughly at the same level as last year. However, without Corona we would have continued to grow here. Renting to customers who have been injured in an accident has already been significantly affected by the Corona crisis. Less traffic means fewer accidents and therefore less demand for rental vehicles for alternative mobility.

Marc Raffel: Are you still connected to tennis today?
J. Schors: To be honest, I haven't touched the tennis racket in ages. Nevertheless, I watch the ATP tour every now and then and am interested in the German cracks. I admire Roger Federer, who plays outstanding tennis despite his age.