STEPHAN VAN DER HORST, OWNER CO VAN DER HORST

Stephan van der Horst owns Co van der Horst together with his brother Edwin. The family business has been operating for 115 years and features a large showroom.

Stephan van der Horst owns it together with his brother Edwin high-end interior design store Co van der Horst. The family business has been around for 115 years, exhibits no fewer than 250 exclusive brands and all in a showroom of 10.000 square meters. From classic to modern to futuristic: here family business you can build. But who actually built Stephan's career? Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Co van der Horst

What was your very first job?

“As a 15-year-old teenager, I was the youngest employee at Co van der Horst where I worked during the summer period. I also went to high school. It was not obvious for me to immediately enter the family business and I was fascinated by art and history from an early age. After high school, I studied art history in Leiden and at some point left for Germany where I ended up at an interior design company. During my time at that company I discovered that I really like it products enjoyed it and was a valuable addition.”

How did you end up in your current job?

"Co van der Horst was already an established family business, but I decided to join when I was 25 years old. I had the vision to refine and improve some things. My brother Edwin already worked at the company.”

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“In my case, the last name says it all… My father and mother have been wheelbarrows for me throughout my career, but not in the way people sometimes think. They gave me the freedom to make my own choices when I was younger. This freedom made me decide to enter the business myself. Because I was able to develop myself well first, I realized what suited me.”

What do you remember most from what you received from your parents?

“I learned that as an entrepreneur you bear enormous responsibility. At a long-standing company you are responsible for the employees and families, it is important to be aware of that.”

What have you learned from your brother over the years?

“My brother taught me that it is important to think ahead instead of short-term thinking. As an entrepreneur, you have to look far ahead every day if you want to help your company through certain crises or 'lesser' periods. In order for our company to continue to flourish in ten to twenty years' time as it does now, taking action time and time again is an advantage.”

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“I get up every day to encourage customers, suppliers and my employees. I also find innovation in the retail sector very important and interesting. Concepts that we came up with ten years ago, for example, and from which we now see results, give us a kick.

Of course you asked for my greatest passion, but there are so many things that make me wake up with a smile every day. I also find it very cool to be involved in store presentation, especially with home textiles. With textiles, fashion and interior come together.”

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

“The crisis in 2008 was one big learning moment that will of course be useful to us in the current period. Fortunately, we were able to survive the period after 2008, from 2009 to 2013, by making good decisions. The company never stood still and we invested again and again. After that period we were actually in even better shape than we were. By being frugal, but investing and innovating, Co van der Horst emerged healthy.

During the (current) corona period there was more uncertainty than during the economic crisis, because with the second one you know that at some point the trough will become more positive again. This last year is unique for everyone in the world, so the uncertainty is much greater. I think it is important to give my employees and customers that bit of security. This works well by radiating calm and continuing to focus on the goals.”

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

“Always persevere and work hard and you will get there. At Co van der Horst we deal with many interns and we really stimulate enthusiasm and curiosity here. This way you learn something every day and continue to develop.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“I hope that I have given the employees and interns that I have supervised over the years a push in the right direction.”