DOUGAN CLARKE, FOUNDER & CEO TUUCI

American Dougan Clarke grew up in Florida by the water and spent his time fishing, diving and exploring the outdoors. It is therefore not surprising that he is the founder, CEO and Chief Product Architect of the high-end parasol brand TUUCI. But who was Dougan's inspiration?

The American Dougan Clarke grew up in Florida next to the water and was always fishing, diving and being outdoors. It is therefore not surprising that he is the founder, CEO and Chief Product Architect of the high-end parasol brand TUUCI. The company has been designing and manufacturing unique parasols, lounges and cabanas worldwide for more than twenty years. The credo is to create open-air living rooms where people enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. But who was Dougan's wheelbarrow?

What was your very first job?

“As an 8-year-old kid, I mowed neighborhood yards in my hometown in Florida. I started with my parents' garden, which eventually resulted in mowing neighbors' gardens. I earned a nice amount of money with this job and it kept me busy. I actually enjoyed being outside with my friends! Then as a teenager I worked in the boat shop of Fred Herman, the father of one of my best friends, near my parental home in Florida. In this shop I literally learned the tricks of the trade when it came to the outdoors and everything that had to do with yachts, boats and fishing.

So I made one at the time Hawaiian Sling, also called an underwater bow and arrow. This spear was much better than what was available in the stores. After this design I realized that the skills I learned there will help me with my further development for the rest of my life. Around my 25the I ended up at an outdoor furniture retailer in Miami. I started as a sales person and grew into a manager. I noticed that there was a huge demand for better quality parasols, because every time the product came back broken. I decided to create my own product.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“In Fred Herman's store I was given the space to sell my own products, both parasols and outdoor furniture. My company was named: 'The Ultimate Umbrella Company Inc.' or: TUUCI. This was in 1997.”

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“My wheelbarrow is actually the entire world. I believe that as an entrepreneur you can do a lot on your own, but ultimately you need your network and immediate environment for support and advice. People around me wanted to see my team and me succeed. This gave me extra energy to achieve my goals. I also see Fred Herman as a good mentor who supported me in the early years.”

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“I think it is very important to continuously maintain the various confidential ties and to learn from each other. This applies to the ties with customers, points of sale, partners and the team. Rob Planken, the managing director of TUUCI Europe, is a man I am very happy with. He understands the market and the company like no other. My passion is really maintaining good relationships and going for it every time.”

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

"The greatest one is the next one. As an entrepreneur, when you think you have seen it all, you fail. We have never finished learning and I always want to continue developing.”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

“Have courage, be confident and listen to the different advice around you. It's good to be stubborn sometimes, but also trust your environment. At a certain point you create your own path in life and if you focus on yourself and you inner circle trust, the rest will follow automatically. In the past I have often heard that I could not do it or that certain goals were not achievable. This fact has given me the extra strength to achieve my goals.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“I give my advice to people who are open to it, both within the same industry and outside it. As I indicated earlier, it is good to be open to other well-intentioned advice. Together you are strong: listen, learn and (re)invent.”