LOTTE BRUNNINKHUIS, OWNER MME HOSPITALITY

"My father has always been the living example that hard work pays off." This week MASTERS talks to Lotte Brunninkhuis. Together with Mariëlle Smit, Lotte is the owner of MME Hospitality. The company consists of a selective pool of highly trained, presentable and assertive employees who are deployed on a flexible basis for hospitality work. But who was Lotte's host throughout her career? She talks about her wheelbarrow...Text: Mical Joseph
Image: Hanna Hachula

What was your very first job?

"At the age of 13, I picked strawberries as a side job. I was very fanatical and really made it a sport to fill up the trays as fast as possible. After that I worked in a clothing store in Den Bosch, but the big city beckoned. A few years later, at the age of 17, I moved to Amsterdam and started doing various freelance hospitality jobs as well as modeling. All this I did next to my law studies. Even then I loved the independent aspect of working: setting my own hours, doing what I liked and experiencing the feeling of freedom. These factors really gave me a kick!"

How did you end up in your current job?

"While working as a freelancer in the hospitality industry, there were clients who came with the request if I didn't know more girls and guys looking for jobs. I found out that business suited me well and saw a gap in the market: there was a need for a different work mentality and quality. During an assignment I met my partner, Mariëlle Smit. It clicked immediately and pretty soon MME Hospitality was born."

Lotte Brunninkhuis and Mariëlle Smit

What makes you strong as associates?

"We are very complementary to each other. I think you really need that as entrepreneurs, that you complement each other. We've been working together for almost ten years now and we're both honest and open with each other, that's how we get ahead the fastest. During these years, and still, we learn from each other. Mariëlle has an enormous hands on mentality, is commercially very strong, has a large network and makes me stronger both as a person and as an entrepreneur. For example, we once had a pitch at ING Private Banking and at a certain point we were asked: 'where do you think you will be in five years?' to which Mariëlle responded: 'be a customer with you'. So she is also very direct. I, on the other hand, am very strong business-wise, more figure driven and always stay factual."

Who was your wheelbarrow?

"When I look at my career so far, in addition to Mariëlle's contribution to my entrepreneurship, I am an important wheelbarrow myself. I visualized at a young age what life I wanted to work toward and I took initiative in that. My ambitions, goals and passions brought me to where I am today."

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

"My passion has developed over the years, but what currently energizes me the most is creating a financially stable business. I love advising based on the bigger picture. I also enjoy making something out of nothing, because I am convinced that if I want something, I can actually achieve it. Whatever I do, I make sure it is of high quality. So delivering quality is also a great passion."

What has been the biggest learning moment in your career?

"As an entrepreneur, no day is the same, I'm always running into new situations and learning something new every day. But overall, I have learned to really only do the things in life that energize me. By nature, I like to be in control, but delegating as much as possible of what I don't like to do to team members who are good at it works most effectively in the end.

And what do you learn from the current corona period we are still in the midst of?

"Like a lot of other companies, we are unfortunately also struggling with the current situation and the consequences of corona. I have learned that it is very important to always keep an overview, calculate ahead financially and have a good understanding of your cash position. By keeping several scenarios side by side, we were able to make important choices a few months ago. Unfortunately, this also forced us to say goodbye to part of our team. That was very tough."

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

"With the wisdom of today, I say, 'There's nothing wrong with working hard, but not at any cost.' And anything you want you can achieve. Have faith in yourself!"

Have you been a wheelbarrow for anyone?

"Mariëlle holds up a mirror to me and I hold up a mirror to her, so I'm sure I'm also a wheelbarrow for my associate. Other than that, I'm actually not consciously concerned with whether I'm a wheelbarrow for anyone. I sometimes hear that I am inspiring as a young entrepreneur. I hope to be an inspiration to those around me."