A thank-you letter to the role model who shaped the man I became.
Growing Up
I grew up in Germany in an abusive household. My father was a talented artist, but he never encouraged, taught, or supported his children. No achievement was ever good enough, and every dream was met with criticism or ridicule. Like many children raised in that environment, I struggled with confidence, focus, and finding my place in the world. I always wanted to become a sculptor, but I was constantly told I would fail.
Instead, I began an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker in Nuremberg through Germany’s dual vocational system, splitting my time between trade school and a woodworking shop. That is where I met the man who would change my life: Viktor Fux.
Meeting Viktor
Viktor was a master craftsman in every sense of the word. His work was flawless, his problem-solving abilities extraordinary, and his work ethic unmatched. He could see solutions before others even recognized the problem. Whether designing, programming CNC machines, fine-tuning equipment, or completing projects ahead of schedule, he operated on a level far above everyone around him. But what made Viktor exceptional was not just his skill—it was his character.
Lessons In Character
For the first time in my life, someone cared about my development. While most people saw apprentices as a burden, Viktor invested in them. He watched, taught, challenged, and pushed us to become better. His integrity was as remarkable as his craftsmanship. He never cut corners, never broke his word, and never let ego get in the way of doing what was right.
One day, I shared an idea with a foreman. It was immediately dismissed because I was “just an apprentice.” I accepted it and went back to work. Viktor did not. When he found out, he walked straight into the owner’s office and told him, “In this shop, we encourage good ideas. We don’t dismiss them because they come from an apprentice.” Can you imagine the spine you got to have to pull this off, for a nobody apprentice…
My idea was implemented. – For the first time in my life, someone stood up for me.
Viktor pushed people hard, but never unfairly. He demanded your best because he knew what you were capable of. When you reached your limit, he didn’t tear you down—he showed you what was possible. During my apprenticeship, I told him that I really wanted to become a sculptor. He simply nodded and said, “Yes, but right now you are 100% focused on becoming a cabinet maker.”
That lesson stayed with me: master what is in front of you before chasing what comes next.
What Would Viktor Do?
This month, I will be turning 50, married, and the father of two children. I am both a sculptor and a cabinet maker. I own a business in Canada that designs and builds experiential displays, sculptures, exhibits, photo opportunities, props, and attractions for clients across multiple industries.
Over the years, I have faced countless challenges. Whenever things became difficult, I found myself asking one simple question: What Would Viktor Do? The answer was always the same:
Focus harder, stay true to your principles, never take shortcuts, and never quit.
That question helped shape the husband, father, artist, and business owner I became.
The Heroes Among Us?
I have never been a person who gives advice. What worked for me may not work for someone else. But if there is one thing I have learned, it is this: When you’re young, it’s easy to look for heroes in famous places. We are told to admire athletes, celebrities, influencers, and people whose names everyone knows. But the people who shape our lives are often much closer than that.
Your hero might not wear a cape. They might not play in the NFL, star in movies, or have millions of followers online. They might be the nurse next door, a teacher, a mechanic, a realtor, a coach, or a coworker. The people who leave the greatest mark on us are often ordinary people with extraordinary character.
For me, that person was Viktor Fux.
Viktor Fux, thank you for being the man you were 33 years ago. Thank you for your integrity, your professionalism, and your belief in a broken young kid, an apprentice who was too scared to dream, had no confidence and even less hope.
You showed me what excellence looks like—not just in craftsmanship, but in character. You are the greatest role model I have ever known, and the man I am today exists in no small part because of your example.
Thank you.
Mario Gotschlich
(www.TBKD.ca)