CAREER- & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGIC SPARRING · BRAND STRATEGY
FOR STARTUPS & SOLOPRENEURS
INDIVIDUALS
Orientation & Clarity
For Professionals & Seekers
You feel stuck professionally – should you stay or go? Are you meant for self-employment or just a better job?
You need radical clarity about your goals, your potential, and a validated decision on your next move.
No worries, we've got you! This is a safe space where your internal ambiguity will be turned into opportunities.
Transition Coaching
-
Profiling
-
Career Navigation
-
Decision Making
FOUNDERS
Foundation & Launch
For Starters & New Founders
You feel overwhelmed by the operational reality and are facing an executional gap?
Alright, now that you've started, your raw idea needs to be transformed into a functioning business structure and a professional first appearance.
No worries – we will face the lack of a clear structure and get you organised without burning your budget.
Startup Mentoring
-
Business Structure
-
Clear Action Plan
-
Launch Strategy
BUILDERS
Growth & Scaling
For Solopreneurs & Growing Brands
Your daily business is running well, but your current brand presence feels far too small for your ambitious future vision?
You want to escape the 'time-for-money' trap to scale sustainably?
You need a positioning that reflects your true value, justifies higher prices, and finally attracts the right clients?"
Brand Consultancy
-
Brand Management
-
Marketing Strategy
-
Professionalisation
ORGANISATIONS
Transformation & Innovation
For SMEs, Corporates & Public Sector
Are you steering a team or department through structural change, ambiguous challenges, or a complex brand relaunch?
You need neutral, external expertise to align diverse stakeholders, create a sharp strategic direction, and manage the transformation process safely—driving innovation without disrupting your ongoing daily operations?
Strategic Consulting
-
Creative Direction
-
Innovation Workshops
-
Change Strategy
Why Cerstin Hannestad?
No Empty Shells. Real Identity.
Translating Ambiguity into Action.
Most agencies build beautiful facades. Most coaches focus solely on the mindset. I do both.
With 20+ years of experience across global advertising, startups, corporate and culture, I function as a translator between worlds.
My superpower is Pattern Recognition:
I spy with my little eye what you don’t see yet!
Whether you are a founder, a leader, or a brand: I help you recognize your core, translate it into a clear strategy, and turn it into visible impact.
Orientation – Translation – Action.
20+
Years Creative Leadership
360°
Holistic Approach
RECOGNIZE
Internal Clarity & Orientation
Before we build, we dig deep. As a coach and mentor, I help you navigate uncertainty and uncover the authentic core of your vision.
Transition Coaching – Vision Sparring – Needs Analysis
TRANSLATE
Strategic Focus & Positioning
Making the complex simple. I translate abstract data and loose ideas into a precise strategic framework that connects business goals with cultural relevance.
Brand Strategy – Pattern Recognition – Positioning
CREATE
Visible Impact & Design
Strategy needs a soul. I ensure your inner truth becomes visible on the outside – through distinctive design and communication that resonates.
Creative Direction – Corporate Identity – Storytelling
RESULTS THAT STICK
Selected brand strategy and creative leadership work
BRAND · CORPORATE · CONSULTING
Brand Strategist I Creative Team Lead
Volkswagen Group Info Services
Brand strategy and creative leadership — supporting internal transformation, digital initiatives, and cross-team alignment within a complex corporate environment.
BRAND · STARTUP · GROWTH
Creative Director
LOFINO GmbH
Brand development and strategic positioning for LOFINO over five years — from vision to a consistent brand foundation, supporting growth and a successful investor exit.
SOCIAL STRATEGY · GROWTH
Lead Creative Strategist
Bianchi
Instagram strategy and content direction for Bianchi Bikes in the DACH market — translating brand values into a consistent visual language and community growth.
BRAND STRATEGY · STARTUP
Brand Strategist
INFLABI
Defining the brand core and product USPs — translating the vision into a sharp market identity and clear POS communication through intensive strategy workshops.
WORKING WITH THE BEST
From global brands to early-stage teams.
Brands & Clients
VOLKSWAGEN. Bianchi. LOFINO. Coca Cola, Fanta, Mezzo Mix. IKEA. L'Orèal. Man Expert. SONY. Lufthansa. Opel. Nestlé. Maybelline New York. Media Markt. Adidas. LOTTO Bayern. Nescafé. Nintendo. Die Welt. Jever. General Motors. Swarovsky. o2 Telefónica. Swarovski. Wella. LIDL. RWE Energy. dm Drogeriemarkt. Sportscheck. MEWA. Bookwire. ARD & ZDF. TOTAL Tankstellen. BMWI. Saab. Sierra Tequila. ING-DiBa. Henkel. Haspa. Zurich. Multicity CarSharing. Glashäger. ISS ANDERS Coaching & Workout. Sei Design. Finest Coffee Berlin. Craft Beer Club Berlin. Lenny's Artisanal Ales. Stella Musical Hall. FITCROWD App. Annabell Mandeng. Sucre & Cie. Cowogy. There She Goes. Netzbest. Nordpool Offices. PLSR! Sweet Invest. SPORTHUND. Stackmeister. SUPERFIT Clubs. Boehringer Ingelheim. CREATOKIA, Bookwire GmbH. Wunschzeit. Sophie-Charlotte-Adler. FOOD BROS, Mejor Tacos. AVALINO - Britta Kiwit. Birton Kingsley. Ruth Cramer. LIBRI. Kunze & Stamm. Commerzbank. Tech4Humans. Universität Darmstadt. INFLABI.
Agencies
Ogilvy & Mather Frankfurt & Singapore. Content Cube Düsseldorf. Publicis Groupe. McCann Erickson. M.E.C.H Berlin. Razorfish. Neue Digitale. MRM Worldwide. Geometry / VMLY&R. WPP Group. Familie Redlich Berlin. Mertens Marketing. Superpeers Hamburg. Baumheuer Communication! Hemmerle & Partner. Chimney Berlin. Megacult Marketing for Masses. Gfn / Jomacoma. Meister Lampe & Freunde. EDDB die Brandenburgs. Herrmanndesign Group. Phosphene Open Eye. Viral Lab Berlin. Leonhardt & Kern. P.ART Stuttgart. JKS Content. bakery. Bubbles Film.
STARTUP MENTOR
@ Technical University of Darmstadt
As part of the HIGHWAY Startup Mentoring Program at the Technical University of Darmstadt, I support young founders in building strong brands, developing products, and creating effective communication strategies.
Reference: Thomas Biermann
How it works and what's special.
How it works and what's special.
How it works and what's special.
HOLISTIC APPROACH
In my coaching sessions, you benefit from a unique mix of lived experience, sharp perception, and deep sensitivity. I quickly recognise patterns, reflect them back with clarity, and help you cut through complexity to reach the essence of what truly matters.
What makes it special?
ACTIVE CROSS PRACTICE
Coaching with me is not passive input but an active process. I combine coaching and consulting, offering clear impulses and concrete tasks. Your active participation is at the heart of the process.
MIRO LIVE MAPPING
I visualise your thoughts and processes on an online canvas that we can both see and revisit. This way, ideas become tangible and change becomes actionable.
This blend of depth, clarity, and practical tools ensures that insights don’t just stay in your head, but transform into visible, lasting results.
Meet BRANDA
Brand clarity — powered by AI, shaped by experience.
Start your personal brand journey with BRANDA now – she will help you make confident decisions on your own terms and pace. Structured, phase-aware guidance — with personal 1:1 sparring available at any time. Read more
MEET CLIENTS & COACHEES
See how our collaboration shaped their journey.
BRITTA
Sparring & Mentoring,
Brand Development,
Creative Direction
'Working with Cerstin gave me structure, clarity, and fresh impulses for my brand.
She kept the big picture in view while refining the details – helping me relaunch my corporate design and strengthen my positioning as a businesswoman.
Her 360° support has been truly invaluable.'
THOMAS
Brand Development,
Creative Direction,
Brand Management
'Over five years, Cerstin helped us shape a strong brand from scratch – from vision to a consistent strategy.
Through co-creation she turned complex ideas into a clear brand voice and laid the foundation for growth – resulting in a thriving startup and ultimately a successful sale to an investor and a rewarding exit for me.'
NICO
Transition Coaching
'Coaching with Cerstin was a crucial step in my career reorientation.
Today, I look toward my professional future with a clear plan and increased self-confidence – something that wouldn't have been possible without Cerstin's support.'
SOPHIE
Busness Relaunch
Startup Mentoring,
Creative Direction
'Clear, inspiring, professional and fun –
Working with Cerstin was a real gift!
She immediately grasped the essence of my brand and transformed my vision into a clear strategy and an elegant visualisation that truly represents me.'
CERSTIN HANNESTAD
COACHING & CONSULTING
Instinctive · Creative · Leadership
CAREER- & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ·
STRATEGIC SPARRING · BRAND STRATEGY ·
FOR STARTUPS & SOLOPRENEURS
Transition Coaching
Startup Mentoring
Strategic Brand Development
Creative Direction
