Otto's businesses
Otto Frank primarily devotes his attention to the advertising materials and ads for Opekta. In addition, he arranges for product demonstrations to groups of women who attend gatherings of Dutch homemaker’s societies. He later hires a woman who demonstrates the company’s products.
Advertising and Demonstrations
After a short while, he also takes on two new employees: Victor Kugler and Miep Gies. Victor Kugler becomes his right-hand man, arranging orders from beginning to end. Miep Gies provides information, in writing and on the telephone, to customers about the use of Opekta.
Exhibitor’s card for Otto’s participation in a trade fair in Rotterdam, September/October 1933.
Satisfied
In April 1934, Otto writes about his business to the Uncle, who is helping him financially: “Though my income remains fairly modest, one must be satisfied
to have found some way of earning a living and getting on." However, by the fall of 1934, the space the company occupies has become too cramped and Opekta moves to larger quarters at 400 Singel in Amsterdam.
Van Pels Family
Otto’s company is still not very prosperous because the sale of Opekta is dependent on the summer season when there is a lot of fruit available to make jam. A solution to this problem presents itself in the person of Hermann van Pels. In 1937, Hermann van Pels flees Osnabrück (Germany) with his wife Auguste and their young son Peter. Just like the Frank family, the Van Pels’ family is Jewish.
Hermann and Auguste van Pels.
Opekta and Pectacon
Hermann van Pels, who knows a great deal about spice mixtures used in the preparation of meats, becomes Otto Frank's business partner. With Otto's help, he decides to focus on marketing these spice mixtures. First, he teaches Victor Kugler the tricks of the trade. Then in June 1938, this new company is registered in the trade registry of the Chamber of Commerce, under the name Pectacon. In the same year, Johnannes Kleinman joins Otto Frank's company. He is responsible for the accounting of both companies.