JOOST VAN DER NEUT, ANNE&MAX

Franchisee Joost van der Neut has entrepreneurship in his blood. This experienced catering man had a tough time in the first few years when he took charge of the third Anne&Max location, but giving up is simply not in his vocabulary. Text: Susan Poeder
Image: Joost van der Neut

What was your very first job?

“I was quite young when I started working in my parents' company. My father had opened several catering establishments and shops in a hospital, but died very suddenly. I was still at the Hotel School, I was about 17, when my mother and I had to take over the business due to his death. That was a very difficult period for both of us, but that is where I learned it all. It was hard work, which I also liked. There was no room to cut corners. Ultimately, more and more changes occurred in the world of hospitals and private groups came forward that wanted to take over our company. After 12 years I thought it was fine, this was the time for me to move on.”

What followed then?

“Entrepreneurship is in my blood and I really wanted my own catering concept. I then visited numerous properties until Anne&Max came my way. At first I was reluctant to become a franchisee, but I also knew that Anne&Max is not just any company. It is very well put together. At that time there were already 6 branches, all of which were running well. I therefore decided to do it anyway and I have now been here in Amsterdam with Anne&Max for 3,5 years.”

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

“That you should never give up. Of course, I have been through a lot and the most important thing I have learned is that giving up is simply not an option. The first years at Anne&Max were extremely difficult. The streets in front of the branch were closed off for a long time due to renovations, which meant that turnover was very disappointing. I was there 7 days a week, 14 hours a day and after 2 years you get used to it. But now the streets are clear again and the business is doing extremely well. We also celebrated that here for a while.”

What is your greatest passion in your work?

“I really want to make people happy. It makes me happy when people come up to me and say: 'You helped me so much'. And when I come into the shop and see that there are 8 people there working hard... Yes, that makes me happy. It may be that I had to work so many hours, but because of the fun it doesn't feel like hard work. At the same time, I literally no longer have to work as hard as I did in the first two years and I also have some time for my family again. That was also necessary. I think that the catering industry has become my passion, because circumstances have brought it my way. It could have been any other profession, as long as I can make people happy.”

Who was your wheelbarrow?

“That was my mother, she really pushed me in the right direction. I also learned from her how important it is to have your accounts in order. She always works very precisely. I had less of that and through her I learned that you just have to persevere. Also in the evening we put in the effort to get those accounts in order. I owe that to her.”