NEW KID ON THE BLOCK: COEN VAN HEES

They have a lot of guts, are young and have big ambitions. In theNew Kids on the Block section, MASTERS talks to entrepreneurs who decided to start their own business at a young age. 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 JongCoen likes a challenge; last winter, for example, he started swimming in icy water. But at the age of 21, he took on a much bigger challenge; starting his own company. Story of AMS is now an established company with more than 30 employees. The company takes care of clients in the field of e-commerce and focuses on developing strategies, development, designs and content production, among other things.

What is your personal USP?

''My personal USP is that I am an executor, everything I say I actually execute. Not tomorrow, but now. In addition, I am constantly working on the latest technological developments that allow us to 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 have 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 build a personal brand, this in my view has only advantages. For example, I started my own YouTube channel."

Who is your teacher or inspiration in the entrepreneurial field?

''On the entrepreneurial front, Patrick Bet-David and Ed Mylett are great inspirations for me, dit are two very successful entrepreneurs from the US."

What is your motto or quote?

"Keep itsimple. And: Dream, dare, do."

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

''The biggest risk I ever took was saying no to a very large client. The size of the project was huge, in fact, this project would generate about all of our annual sales. The reason we said no was because we felt the project was not up our alley. Focus is very important."

Where will you be in three years?

''In three years with Story of AMS we will have a foothold in the US and another European country in addition to our HQ in Amsterdam. Apart from business, I will then also be happy privately. Balance is important, especially when you work long hours!" Do you know or are you a successful, young entrepreneur who also deserves a spot in the spotlight? Then email Fleur de Jong(fleur@mastershq.nl) for the possibilities.Click here for new kid Anton Teeuw with his company Planq.