NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: ANTON TEEUW

They have a lot of guts, are young and have big ambitions. In the new kids on the block section, MASTERS talks to entrepreneurs who decided to start their own business at a young age. Did they have to take big risks and could the older generation of entrepreneurs learn something from them? This week 28-year-old Anton Teeuw, founder of the company Planq.Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: Gijs SpieringsWithhis passion for the environment and design, Anton Teeuw founded the company Planq with his twin brother Dennis in 2015. Planq develops furnishings and furniture from natural materials, such as organic plastics and old jeans. In their own words, the duo entered interior design from architecture. From all over the world there is interest in their designs, meanwhile the entrepreneurs work for companies such as ABN-AMRO, Tommy Hilfiger and Unilever.

What is your personal USP?

''I don't think too much about everything, but mostly do." 

What can the older generation of entrepreneurs learn from you?

"I think I can teach the older generation to think from the idea that anything is possible. You shouldn't think from pigeonholes or work patterns within a certain industry, but rather think from the industry as an overarching whole. And in doing so, as an entrepreneur, keep the main focus on the impact and sustainable difference you are making with your business. Your initial focus should not be on commerce; it will follow naturally when your product or service is unique enough. I believe that when that's right, commerce will come back to you naturally." 

Who is your teacher or inspiration in the entrepreneurial field?

''I can sometimes get my inspiration from very different angles, such as multi-disciplinary designers. I think Virgil Abloh is a great example. He is currently creative director of Louis Vuitton, but also an architect, artist and artist. From his position, he even manages to make a classic fashion department store like Louis Vuitton sustainable.'' 

What is your motto or quote?

''Good design will save the world."

What is the biggest entrepreneurial risk you have taken so far?

''The biggest risk we ever took was placing an order for the production of 800 chairs, without being sure whether the client would give us the order. We had to, or we wouldn't make the deadline on time. Fortunately, the order was confirmed shortly thereafter, but that was quite a financial risk. If the order had not gone through, we would have had a very big financial problem."

Where will you be in three years?

''The best thing would be to have our own Willy-Wonka factory in three years, where I can also let people collect their residual streams on a small scale from my company Planq. From jeans to chair under one roof, where it is also possible to show people the complete process. And then hopefully still with a nice and strong team. In our company, colleagues feel like family and I continue to think that's the most important thing!" Do you know or are you a successful, young entrepreneur who also deserves a spot in the spotlight? Then email Fleur de Jong(fleur@mastershq.nl) for the possibilities.Click here for new kid Lynndell Melles of the company MELLES PEOPLE.