When visitors stepped into Munich’s Alte Kongresshalle on event day, the atmosphere was vibrant and full of life. Tables lined with unique products, banners from passionate entrepreneurs, children laughing in the background — and at the heart of it all stood Gelyn Welle, the woman whose vision brought it all together.
Her story is a testament to the incredible potential of women to create, lead, and thrive even amidst challenges. Originally from Manila, Gelyn had already experienced a life filled with transitions. From Shanghai, where she met her German husband, to Mexico, she was no stranger to starting over. But when the pandemic brought them to Munich, everything shifted. Isolated from family and faced with limited job prospects, she found herself sinking into discouragement. Yet, it was motherhood that reignited her spirit. Through online mother groups during her pregnancy, she discovered small circles of support that would later inspire her larger mission.
Each night, she and her daughter practiced simple affirmations—words of love, confidence, and self-belief. That small routine planted a bigger idea. If these affirmations could make a difference for her daughter, perhaps they could do the same for others. This led to her first book, published in 2022. Not long after, she founded Polkaducks, a business that not only offered products but created connections with other women who were building their own enterprises, often balancing family, work, and passion at the same time.
But Gelyn saw something even greater: the power of women when given the opportunity to come together. In just over three months, she turned that idea into reality with the launch of Mama Macht Markt — a platform that celebrates the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of women. This was not just another marketplace; it was a space that exclusively featured women-owned businesses across food, arts, retail, and services. Every booth told a story of determination — from handmade goods to professional services, each business was a reflection of a woman turning her passion into something tangible.
The event was thoughtfully designed to empower women at every level. Free childcare was provided through Lymus Kindergeburtstage, allowing mothers to fully participate without worry. Interactive workshops and sessions were offered at no cost, thanks to the support of Canela Art Studio, Little Picassos, Munich International Ladies Association, and Yaraa. A scavenger hunt for the children, organized by Polkaducks, brought joy to young visitors while their mothers networked and showcased their work. Even the exhibitors were cared for, with 50 free cups of coffee courtesy of LoRossi.
In addition to the market, guests received 250 copies of the MaMaMa Directory — a beautifully curated compilation of women-owned businesses from Munich and surrounding cities — ensuring that connections made that day would continue long after the event.
At the very heart of Mama Macht Markt stood one of its most powerful features: the Women of Impact keynote series — a live showcase of women from vastly different fields, each sharing her deeply personal and professional journey. The lineup was as diverse as it was inspiring. Attendees heard from resilience coach Christiane Böhme (christiane-boehme.de), who guides individuals through life’s most challenging transitions; entrepreneur and climate advocate from 2030.earth (2030.earth), who is working to build a sustainable future; feminist author Jasmin Riter(@jasmin.riter), who uses her writing to break stereotypes and empower women’s voices; female clown and performer Schicksi (schicksi.de), who brings humor and healing through her art; the Director of Big Data Munich, sharing insights into women in tech leadership; a funding specialist helping female founders access capital; branding expert Brand Like a Girl (brandlikeagirl.de) empowering women to create bold, authentic brands; and family therapist Katie Rossler (katierossler.com) offering tools for balancing emotional wellness and family life.
The Women of Impact series was generously supported by two outstanding partners who share the vision of nurturing female leadership: the International School of Augsburg (isa-augsburg.com) and the EU Business School(euruni.edu).
Through these deeply honest, courageous, and forward-thinking conversations, Mama Macht Markt gave its audience something priceless: real-life examples of how women are not only navigating but redefining success in today’s world. These were not abstract stories of distant celebrities but real women — standing right in front of the audience — who dared to lead with authenticity, vision, and impact.
At its core, Mama Macht Markt is a shining example of what happens when women are given the space to lead and support one another. In this modern age, women are no longer limited by old structures or traditional expectations. They are visionaries, creators, problem-solvers, and leaders — building businesses not only for profit but for purpose. Gelyn Welle’s journey is living proof that when women lift each other up, entire communities rise.
As she often says: everything is hard if you don’t try. But once you take that leap, you’ll find your people — and with them, endless possibilities.
