Meet Eva Hoffmann

We were lucky to catch up with Eva Hoffmann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eva , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

As a child, I was always different. My mother especially made me feel that being who I truly was somehow wasn’t right.
From an early age, I learned to hide parts of myself — yet my adventurous spirit never fully disappeared. I couldn’t live up to what was expected of me, though for a while I tried.

When I was 25, life forced me to stop pretending. I became very ill and was diagnosed with a tumor. The doctors gave me three months to live.
But deep inside, a clear voice whispered: They are wrong — not you.
I chose to trust that voice. I chose to believe in life — and I healed.

Since then, I follow my inner guidance and live from the heart.
I aim for all the stars in the sky — it might sound crazy, but somehow, I often reach the impossible.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Plush Surroundings was founded by my dear friend Gloria over 40 years ago, and I feel truly blessed to continue her legacy of creativity and craftsmanship in the worlds of clothing and home interiors.

There’s almost nothing made of fabric that I don’t enjoy working on — from designing and realizing unique wedding dresses to reupholstering your favorite couch or even your boat.

I love the variety of my work, and the best part is that every project is different — full of new ideas, textures, and joyful surprises!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Persistence:
At the age of 15, I already knew that I wanted to become a fashion designer. When I didn’t pass the entrance exams for design schools in Germany, I didn’t give up. Instead, I moved to Italy, learned the language, and studied there. That determination has guided me ever since.

Creativity and Openness to Change:
Whenever life has shown me that it’s time to change direction, I’ve never been afraid. I’ve always looked for creative solutions — and every turn on my path has led to something even better.

Compassion and Connection:
I see the world as one and feel connected wherever I go. Even in foreign countries, I’ve never felt alone — because I truly love building relationships and finding common ground with people from all walks of

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I would spend it with my soul mate in the golden stillness of the Egyptian desert, where nature embraces us and connection feels endless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://plushsurroundings.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eva.hoffmann.752/