Creative part of Passau, Germany: Cornelius Marten

„For me, inspiration is not only something that can come from within.“

Cornelius Lloyd Martens (39), Passau/ Germany, mymuesli customer since 2007
Cornelius’ favorite muesli: Kickstart

Learn more about Cornelius’ whole Story in our video.

(Don’t worry – although the video is in German, English language subtitles are provided.
You can activate them by klicking on the link.)

(c) Radu Gota

(c) Radu Gota

“My original aim was to make it into the upper reaches of German business,” explains Berlin-born Cornelius. His careers adviser at the time therefore recommended studying business administration in the lower Bavarian town of Passau. He only made it as far as the intermediate diploma. After that, Conni opened “Blue Notes” together with a good friend, and the bar became a Passau institution. Nowadays, the two friends run an advertising agency together – in Passau, of course, where Conni has now lived for some 20 years.

“For me, inspiration is not only something that can come from within. That’s why I’m not a lone wolf, so to speak, but instead enjoy having people around me who I really appreciate. To be creative, I need other sources of inspiration. I love having my enthusiasm fuelled by others and seeing where it takes me. This inspiration might come from an outstanding cook, a fantastic gardener or a pianist.”

(c) Radu Gota

For Cornelius, his adopted home town is also a rich source of inspiration. Passau, a town steeped in history, “is a backdrop in which we all become actors. It’s a wonderful place to step back in time. And to do so, all you have to do is sit down and look around you. I love the colourful nature of the town, its houses and the river sides.”

As we talk to Cornelius in his flat, he is sitting behind a grand piano which belonged to his grandfather. From this vantage point, he can look directly towards the historical monastery on Passau’s Mariahilfberg. As we soak in the view, the silence is softly broken by the notes that Cornelius begins to play: “and if things go badly downhill with the business, I’ll sit in the city centre and busk.”

Watch our conversation with Cornelius for yourself on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/mymuesli

Cornelius: mymues.li/mueslifreunde-cornelius