New kid: Lucas Bes

In the section New Kids on the Block MASTERS talks to Lucas Bes this week. This young furniture designer and maker has a hefty dose of ambition and a passion for fair and sustainable products. How does he see the future?Text: Fleur de JongLucasBes is 26 years old and has been running his own company Luucsmo for almost four years now. With his company he makes and designs design furniture. To work from sketch to 3D drawing and from prototype to a production model is, according to Lucas, the most fun process there is. For inspiration, the young entrepreneur prefers to spend time in nature. His love for nature is also reflected in his working method; for example, Lucas plants back a tree for every piece of furniture sold.

What is your personal USP?

''What sets me apart from other entrepreneurs is mainly my unique collection and the importance of sustainability in my business. I make high quality furniture that lasts for generations and is healthier for people and the environment. My passion lies in inventing and making things that don't exist yet, products that are on the border of art and practical. The design must touch people, but it must still be usable."

What can the older generation of entrepreneurs learn from you?

''What I like to show with Luucsmo is that with conscious choices you can make unique products that contribute to the environment rather than being harmful. Together with the beautiful combination of craft and modern techniques and materials, this allows you to create beautiful and unique luxury products."

Who is your teacher or inspiration in the entrepreneurial field?

''I don't like to 'copy off' from colleagues in the furniture industry. But in terms of entrepreneurship, I do take my inspiration from several big names, such as Richard Branson and Marcel Wanders. I love the philosophy with which Richard runs all his businesses and Marcel is a good example of a big name in the interior design world to learn a lot from.' '

What is your motto or quote?

''Sustainability is also part of quality.''

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

''My biggest risk so far has been the investments in the workshop. I was still in the last year of my training when I spent over €30,000 on machinery, when I didn't even have the financing in place. ''

Where will you be in 3 years?

''In 3 years I will have expanded my own collection considerably, employed four people and at least 50% of the work will consist of making my own collection. Currently I have trees planted back by the Trees for all foundation, but in 3 years I want to have my own piece of land where I plant the trees myself. With the goal of giving something back to nature in the form of planting a forest or park.''Do you know or are you a successful young entrepreneur who also deserves a spot in the spotlights? Mail for the possibilities to Fleur de Jong(fleur@mastershq.nl).Click here for new kid Myrthe de Groot of the company Actief.