International Women's Day // Eleanor Launch

Interview with Katrine Lee Larsen

Founder of Danish lifestyle brand Copenhagen Cartel

Katrine Lee Larsen founded Copenhagen Cartel in 2018, and since then, the brand has grown significantly. With a strong focus on quality and responsible production, Katrine has built an engaged community around the brand.
Beyond Copenhagen Cartel’s dedication to environmental sustainability, Katrine also generously shares her time. As a mentor, she helps other entrepreneurs pursue their dreams and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Read her interview here on the page.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken, and what did you learn from it?

Starting Cartel in 2019. I knew nothing about the fashion industry. I had never worked in production, had no experience in management, and was, to say the least, inexperienced in running a business. Before that, I had a great job, a stable income, and a life without major financial worries. And yet, I chose to risk it all for a dream.
For the first few years, I was the last person in the company to get paid—if I got paid at all. It would have been so much easier not to do it. To choose security. But I listened to my gut feeling, followed my heart, and took the leap. And even though it has been insanely tough, and the learning curve has been steeper than a mountain stage in the Tour de France, I regret nothing. Not for a single second. Because sometimes, the biggest risk is not taking one.

What is one habit or mindset shift that has made a significant difference in your life?

At first, I was Cartel. My face, my body, my story—it was all intertwined with the brand. I was in the media, my life was used for content, and if we received a negative comment in customer service, it felt like a personal attack. I was my brand, and that was anything but healthy.
It took me time—and a good business psychologist—to understand that I am not my company. I am so much more. When I finally learned to separate myself from Cartel, everything became easier. My mental health improved, and I found a balance that allowed me to enjoy the journey instead of letting it define me.

Who has been your greatest inspiration, and how have they influenced your journey?

I don’t have just one person, but I am deeply inspired by people who dare to chase their dreams. Those who choose the hard path—because it’s rarely easy. I love seeing people take the leap, break barriers, and throw themselves into the unknown, even when fear is screaming in their faces.
The truth is, we can all come up with a million reasons not to do something. But the people who dare to dream big and go for it anyway—those are the ones who inspire me the most.

Looking back at your journey, is there a piece of advice you wish you had received earlier?

That entrepreneurship isn’t about working yourself to the brink of exhaustion—it’s about playing the long game. We are fed the idea that success only comes if we give everything—sacrificing sleep, personal life, health, and maybe even ourselves. But that’s an outdated and unhealthy myth.
Because if you’re not fully present in your journey, if you burn out along the way—what’s the point? I wish I had understood earlier that the most important thing you can invest in as an entrepreneur is your mental and physical health. Sleep, breaks, and mental well-being are just as important as a sharp marketing strategy or a solid cash flow.
The better you take care of yourself, the better decisions you make—and the fewer sleepless nights you’ll have. Success isn’t about survival. It’s about living while you build something great.

If you could change one thing for women globally, what would it be, and why?

I would give women everywhere the freedom to be everything they dream of—without limitations. Far too often, women are put into boxes. You can be ambitious, but not too soft. You can be a mother, but then you shouldn’t take your career too seriously.
You can be strong, but be careful not to intimidate anyone. I wish that women everywhere—regardless of where they were born, what culture they live in, or what norms surround them—could be everything they dream of, without limitations. That they could be both-and instead of either-or.