Pleasure doing business with ... Marieke de Boer

In "Pleasant Business with..." in conversation with prominent entrepreneur Marieke de Boer. 2021 was an eventful year for the entrepreneur of Sustainable Sloops. In less than a year, in addition to a full-time job (as Group Operational Excellence Manager), she and her boyfriend Jörgen set up the company and developed the first two models of sustainable sloops. TU Delft got involved for research, she was nominated for the Top 100 Most Sustainable Young Frontrunners in the Netherlands and is adding a Marina to the company in January 2022.Text: Tamara GijrathWhattypifies an entrepreneur?
"Entrepreneurs give energy, see opportunities everywhere and have the gift of taking people along in this passion, energy and opportunities (a flow). You could describe it as a (positive) whirlwind.

The perfect corporate gift?
"An experience linked to your company. By spending time together, in a setting where your identity is palpable, you bring people together and strengthen the feeling for your product, brand, company and its entrepreneurs and relationships. True connection, authenticity and trust are key words here."

Digital. Friend or foe?
"A sustainable sloop is new. Of course, many people know sloops with electric motors, but our concept goes much further. That's why our preference is personal contact. That way people experience our 3D printed sloops. We also include them in the research we are doing together with TU Delft. For how sustainable is the sloop really, and how can you customize the sloop with your own sustainability score. Yet we certainly don't rule out digital, many of our contacts start digitally. The world is digitally at your feet and we want to make the most of these opportunities. "What do you do on an off-day?
"On an off-day I always come back to the word "perspective". Together with my boyfriend, we have traveled a lot in recent years. This has greatly broadened our perspective of the world. Especially during an off-day, you can make good use of this. How would this be in a different situation, how would they look at it in a certain area?"

How do you drink your coffee?
"I'm not a huge coffee drinker. However: a good cappuccino or caramel latte in the sunshine is the ideal start."

Fine place for good conversation?
"We like to go boating with our guests to experience the sustainable sloop and all the beauty of Friesland. In short, a place that feels nice and gives the peace to go in depth."

Watch?
"Apple Watch."

Car?
"Audi or a Landrover Defender."

What is your favorite business suit?
"I believe that your outfit is best when it enhances your character. I therefore wear all kinds of different brands, preferably from somewhat smaller boutiques."

What do you always have with you?
"My Iphone, my HP elitebook laptop (partly made of Ocean plastic) and my necklace with 'perspective'."

What is always on your desk?
"I am visually inclined, so there are always Neuland Markers in all kinds of colors on my desk. That way I can immediately start working on ideas. There is also a 3D printed scale model of our own sustainable sloop the Ds 680 MB."

Which entrepreneur would you like to have lunch with?
"Tricky question, there are several. The first names that come to mind are:
Coach Kelly Weekers, Henk Jan Beltman of Tony Chocolonely and Michael Pilarczyk."

What is your golden entrepreneurial tip?
" 'If you're in the jar, you can't read the label,' therefore: look at it from a distance, from different perspectives and check it with your intentions. Then you'll make the best choices."