Rachel Pietersma is the owner and creative brain behind Kids Party Planner and High End Nanny Service. From the High End Nanny Service she supplies nannies in the hospitality, events and corporate sector. With Kids Party Planner, Rachel transforms every children's party into a fantasy world. From toddler birthdays to sweet sixteens and bar mitzvahs: everything is possible. Rachel makes every child's dream come true. But who made her dream come true into the entrepreneur she is today? Text: Mical Joseph
Image: RG Visuals, Liske Photography and Shanna Marcus

What was your very first job?

“At the age of 17 I left home and had to make a choice between school, work or both. After school I had cleaning jobs and on Saturdays I worked part-time in an American clothing store in Amsterdam. This time was a lot of fun as many well known artists came to shop such as TLC, Boys to Man and Cypress Hill. We were also often invited to the concerts of these artists. Of course, this is a dream come true for every young girl: building work experience, earning money and meeting interesting people.”

How did you end up in your current job?

“Seven years ago I decided to take matters into my own hands as a single mother. I wanted to be an example for my daughter Michelle, the people around me, but also for myself. Insecurity played a major role for me: did I have enough savings and an interesting network? I discovered that I wanted to give children the time of their lives and I immersed myself in the industry, both in the Netherlands and in America and England. Kids Party Planner was born and five years later the High End Nanny Service. With this service we use private nannies and mobile kids clubs for high-end hotels, fairs, events, company parties and the corporate sector.”

“I had no experience at all in entrepreneurship, but thanks to my social pedagogy diploma, I did have experience in dealing with children. I learned how to be an entrepreneur by asking a lot of questions, looking at needs, gathering the right people around me and of course just by going on an adventure.”

Who was your wheelbarrow in that?

“I myself have been a big wheelbarrow during my career, but a number of people around me who believed in me have also been of great importance. By following the positive energy and realizing that knowledge is power, I have come far. I receive that energy and knowledge most by listening to the experiences of others and by showing interest in where needs lie.”

What is your greatest passion in your profession?

“Organizing and achieving a certain level with the company are great passions of mine. The motivation is to always see how far I can go with my ventures. It is never enough and I always want to develop myself. In my daily work I see the happy faces and peace of mind of parents because we take care of their worries. I do this together with a great team.”

What has been your biggest learning moment in your career?

“Realizing that I am not alone in the process and daring to ask questions. There are no stupid questions. I learn every day, that will never stop. Curiosity and ambition are so important!”

What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?

“I would have liked to have less responsibility as a young adult. As I described earlier, I left home at the age of 17 and provided my own bread and butter. It would have been nicer for myself if I had explored the world and gone on a trip and I pass that on to my own daughter.”

Have you been a wheelbarrow for someone?

“I am a wheelbarrow for my daughter and a number of beautiful women who also want to do business, but do not dare. For me it is an incentive to help other women with entrepreneurship. When I tell my story, I see these women shine and the common thread of the story is that they dare key is. I hope I can be a source of strength and inspiration to my daughter as a woman self-made entrepreneur and that I can tell her that she should really do something she enjoys.”