Arnoud Kuipers, Tubble: 'Not everyone has what it takes to become a true entrepreneur.'

Entrepreneurship came naturally to Arnoud Kuipers from an early age. He launched his first venture at age 10. He now runs two successful companies: Tubble and factoringvergelijken.nl. MASTERS spoke with Arnoud Kuipers about where his innovative ideas come from and who inspired him along the way.

Entrepreneurship was in the cards for Arnoud Kuipers from an early age. He set up his first 'business' at the age of 10. He is now an avid entrepreneur with two successful companies: tube and website factoringvergelijken.nl. MASTERS will be talking to Arnoud. How did he come up with his innovative ideas? And who was his wheelbarrow? Text: Noa Verseveldt
Online editor: Patrick Stoffer

What was your very first job?

“My first part-time job was stocking shelves in the supermarket. But I found trading interesting from an early age, when I was about ten years old. At the market I saw a very large pile of Donald Ducks for two guilders and fifty. I then borrowed money from my mother and sold them individually to friends. I think that's how entrepreneurship started. I also later sold cordless telephones, watches, plush animals and game consoles.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“I have two companies. I was a banker at ABN-AMRO for a long time, later at Deutsche Bank. There I worked in factoring, a niche in the financial world. Simply put, it is about selling your outstanding receivables. When I quit my job ten years ago, I set up the first online broker. I worked in the industry for a long time and I knew that brokers generally operated in an old-fashioned way. So it was actually a very natural step FactoringCompare.nl to start. This way, companies looking for factoring can easily and free of charge compare the best factoring quotes. I also have the company Tubble, a webshop in the field of home wellness. This started with an inflatable bathtub. I was in the shower and I wanted to take a bath. Then I thought: 'Isn't there something inflatable that you can use occasionally?' I searched for a long time, but couldn't find anything. Then I started developing the ideal airbath together with a design agency. The Tubble bath is patented and has won a number of international design awards. It is now also sold in about ten countries.”

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“I don't really have a wheelbarrow, I don't come from an enterprising family. Both my parents are psychologists. It really comes from myself that entrepreneurship. I have often read those books about entrepreneurship, which have inspired me. Of course 4-hour work week, everyone knows that. The very first entrepreneurial book I read was by Bram van Leeuwen. The booklet 'How to become a millionaire'. I thought it was absolutely fantastic, a blue book with gold letters. He explained how to do business in China and how to source products from there. What also helped me is that I joined a co-workspace. I was at 'Boven de Balie', which was a co-workspace in Amsterdam near Leidseplein. You rented a desk there. You sit next to all other entrepreneurs and freelancers. First of all, it's a lot less boring than working from home. But you also really learn from it, especially when you're just starting out. You will always meet someone there who can help you. I would also recommend everyone to join a co-workspace, if anyone wants to become an entrepreneur.

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“Ultimately building something. It may sound obvious, but you are coming up with something that is not yet on the market. It's still in your head, you take risks and you build on it. When it works and the first orders and sales come in, that's just a kind of magic. I also remember the first time someone ordered from abroad, I think Belgium, those are nice things. But also good reviews or people who say that they are very happy that they finally have a bath. That's beautiful, isn't it? I also enjoy bringing something new and innovative to the market. Wouldn't be so quick to copy something that already exists. I find building my own brand and developing new products or services more fun than dropshipping, for example.

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

“The biggest learning moment in my career is never to do business with friends. I've done this before and it didn't end well. I just don't do that anymore. In addition, it also means taking action more quickly. My very first idea had failed when I quit my job at the bank. I had an idea with shower curtains. I've been working on that for far too long and I was just messing around on that website. I should have brought that idea to the market much earlier. There is a nice word for that: 'minimum viable product'. So don't spend a year tinkering with a product or site, but contact your potential customers as soon as possible and see if there is a demand for it.”

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

“I'm never really fond of looking back and saying 'I should have done that better'. But I think generally more travel. I once made a seven-month trip around the world, which I thought was absolutely fantastic. I actually wanted to do that more often and nowadays you can of course also run your business abroad with your laptop.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“People sometimes come up to me: 'I want to start an online shop'. Then I sit with them for an hour and give them some tips. Ultimately it has to come from the person himself, because many people want to become entrepreneurs and talk about it. But ultimately you have to do it yourself, because you often don't hear anything about it anymore. Which is also fine. Not everyone is given the opportunity to become a real entrepreneur. But maybe Jasper Stas, I certainly can't say that I have been his wheelbarrow, but he has become a very good entrepreneur. He was also in my co-workspace and was also going to start an online shop. I was able to give him some advice in the beginning. Now it is more about exchanging tips and tricks back and forth.”