I’ve always been of the entrepreneurial kind →
It might have started illegally.
Yes, this page is starting with horse stuff. I bet you didn’t expect it but I was destined to become a veterinarian. I started horse-riding when I was 9 years old. In 2005, I discovered the internet and horse forums. I made it a sport to spot upcoming products or brands and would purchase these in large numbers right before they became wildly popular. My bestsellers were fly masks with fun prints on them - I’m sure you didn’t expect that either.
You only need one person who sees something in you.
My small horse business wasn’t enough to get me off the veterinarian path. A couple of years, later the owner of a horse I was training told me I had other talents. She referred me to an event agency where I started working. I loved events so much that I ended up working at the Antwerp Christmas market for several years. I’ve met some wonderful people there and was given an amazing amount of freedom and responsibility. I loved this so much and decided to switch gears.
I often wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t met the people who pushed me in the right way. If you’re ever finding yourself in need of a small push, you can always reach out to me.
One of the struggles in the pre-Facebook era was finding out if anything interesting was happening in your city beyond some posters at your local bar. I entered a competition for young people with ideas and won a $30K grant to make Wanu (‘what now?’ in Dutch) reality. Wanu is an online magazine and agenda for young people, by young people. I’ve led a team of more than 30 editors (film, photography and text).
With the incredible support of the City of Antwerp and Prospekta vzw. Illustrations by @nietnulaura.
Photography classes, masked parties, tattoos, long editorial meetings and occupying an old building
We did every single thing we could think of. Young, wild and free. Wanu was without a doubt the most incredible and magical time ever. I thank everything I am today to this idea and the incredibly talented people I’ve met along the way. Ok I am getting sentimental, let’s move on.
It’s tough to make a name for yourself in the advertising business. That’s where YoungDogs steps in. We organize pitches with real briefs for real clients. Young creatives can submit ideas which get judged by renowned creative directors and the winners get a free pass to the legendary Cannes Lions festival. YoungDogs also organizes Creative Classes and CDate Night, a yearly portfolio event.
I started YoungDogs together with 5 incredible friends. The organization elects new board members every two years.
Urban Dreamers
Antwerp’s legendary dance school Let’s Go Urban is filled with ambitious young people. Founder Sihame El Kaouakibi noticed the demand for entrepreneurship classes and Urban Dreamers was born. I have been giving these classes for over four years and helped over 40 young people turn their dream of starting a business into reality.
NEW VENTURE COMING SOON
Launching a new venture inspired by my lonely lockdown in Toronto #coronacreation