In "Pleasant Business with..." MASTERS talks to prominent entrepreneurs every week. Because, how do you do business pleasantly? Great-grandfather Co van der Horst started in 1905 in household textiles. By now the fourth generation is at the helm and the company has grown into one of the best-known interior design stores in the Netherlands. Stephan van der Horst and brother offer more than 250 high-end interior design brands in their 10,000 m2 showroom. A one-stop shop they call themselves: 'full service at the highest level.'Text: Tamara GijrathWhattypifies an entrepreneur?
"Someone who is curious and stays curious. Who can and wants to see new things all the time. Who keeps his ears and eyes open. I've always wanted to be self-employed. I like the freedom to be able to reasonably decide for myself what I want to do. Of course you have to deal with so many other people and yet: which way I want to go, I decide for myself."
Where did you ever get your best deal?
"Often at suppliers, at people's homes and, of course, at our store. The place doesn't matter so much. Well: at least I hope it doesn't matter. "The perfect business gift?
"What I like is when someone takes the trouble to send something handwritten. The moment you receive something very personal, you only notice how much impact that can have."
Digital. Friend or foe?
"My friend, for sure. But I'm not a digital prodigy, I follow. At an appropriate distance. Our online performance is very important. And we have set ourselves sharp targets as a company for the next few years in areas such as digital product information."
What do you do on an off-day?
"Then I like to listen to my eight-year-old son's problems. It puts things in perspective a bit and that's nice.
Drinking a good cappuccino somewhere on a day off, without feeling like you actually have to do something else, is a wonderful feeling. And sometimes I take a course, like recently on philosophy, at The School of Life."
How do you drink your coffee?
"I drink five espressos in the morning. And that's it for the rest of the day."
Fine place for good conversation?
"At home on our Flexform sofa."
Watch?
"An Apple Watch."
Car?
"BMW 3 Series Touring. And in Amsterdam I prefer to ride my city bike."
What is your favorite business suit?
"A loose jacket from Corneliani."
What do you always have with you?
"My son's lucky monkey, because he thinks it's important for me to have it with me."
What's always on your desk?
"A mini Santa Claus. Because of my father. He was assistant Saint Nicholas and he did it with utmost conviction. After my father passed away, that little St. Nicholas is everywhere. Even at MASTERS EXPO he was somewhere in the closet at our booth. That way our father is always watching."
Which entrepreneur would you like to have lunch with sometime?
"With Roberto Payer, hotel director of Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Amsterdam. The hospitality in the world of five-star hotels comes close to what we do with our customers. I would like to learn from him, especially also how he manages to maintain his own identity with his hotels while being part of a big chain."
What is your golden entrepreneurial tip?
"Stay curious. And know your own shortcomings. Don't think you can do all even, you need others to get better."
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