NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: COEN VAN HEES

At the age of 21, Coen van Hees started his own company Story of AMS. Today it is an established company with more than 30 employees.

They have a lot of courage, are young and have great ambitions. In the section New Kids on the Block MASTERS will talk to entrepreneurs who decided at a young age to start their own business. Did they have to take big risks and could the older generation of entrepreneurs learn something from them? This week, 26-year-old Coen van Hees, founder and managing director of the company Story of AMS. Text: Fleur de Jong Coen likes a challenge, for example, last winter he started swimming in ice-cold water. But at the age of 21, he took on a much bigger challenge; starting his own business. Story of AMS is now an established company with more than 30 employees. The company supports customers in the field of e-commerce and focuses on, among other things, developing strategies, development, designs and content production.

What is your personal USP?

''My personal USP is that I am an implementer, everything I say I actually implement. Not tomorrow, but now. In addition, I am continuously working on the latest technological developments so that we can continue to deliver value to our customers and partners.” 

What can the older generation of entrepreneurs learn from you?

“Pff, I find that difficult to say, if I had to choose something, I would say that the older generation of entrepreneurs can learn from me that it is important as an entrepreneur to also have a personal brands in my opinion, this only has advantages. For example, I started my own YouTube channel."

Who is your mentor or source of inspiration in the field of entrepreneurship?

''In the field of entrepreneurship, Patrick Bet-David and Ed Mylett are great sources of inspiration for me, dThese are two very successful entrepreneurs from the US.”

What is your motto or quote?

"Keep it simple. In: Dream, dare, do."

What is the biggest entrepreneurial risk you have taken so far?

''The biggest risk I ever took was... no say to a very large customer. The size of the project was enormous, as this project would generate approximately our entire annual turnover. The reason we said no was because we didn't think the project was up our alley. Focus is very important.”

Where will you be in three years?

''In three years' time, Story of AMS will, in addition to our HQ in Amsterdam, also have a foothold in the US and another European country. Apart from business, I am also happy privately. Balance is important, especially when you work long days!" Do you know or are you a successful, young entrepreneur who also deserves a place in the spotlight? Please email Fleur de Jong ([email protected]).Click here before and after,  new kid Anton Teeuw with his company Planq.