How I Built My Handmade Business in the Netherlands: Tips & Findings (Part 1)
14/06/2020
Girlboss 101: The Tools I Use To Run My Handmade Business
12/01/2021Please take into consideration that the recommendations shared in this post are based on my very own experience and therefore I cannot guarantee any success in your own endeavours. This is not a post with business or financial advice, but merely my story of how I became an entrepreneur while living in the Netherlands.
My plan was to write this blog post while I was still living in Groningen (Netherlands). But I underestimated how stressful, time and energy-consuming moving houses across countries can be. So this post comes a little bit later than planned, and it has been written from my new craft room in Munich (Germany), where I moved just two weeks ago.
In the first part of this series of posts about entrepreneurship and building the business of your dreams in a foreign country, I shared a few tips & tricks to help you get started. Well, I better read that post again, because I just moved to Germany and I have to start building a community all over again.
It’s much easier writing about it than doing it. But as I said in the previous blog post:
“I guess you can limit your interactions as a business to a certain point, but sooner or later, you will need to get in touch with other entrepreneurs and business owners, either as partners or retailers.”
If you missed my top recommendations for entrepreneurs starting a business in a new country, you can find them here.
So now let’s get to the point of this blog post because I want to tell you more about the amazing community I’ve built up over the past two and a half years in the Netherlands. And of course, my favourite spots for organizing workshops and creative events in Groningen, Rotterdam or Delft.
Ready? Let’s go!
- The #girlbossgroningen Community
I was so lucky to have found the most creative and caring women in Groningen! After meeting some of them separately, I came up with the idea to host monthly networking meetings, where we could talk to each other, share our experiences and ask for support wherever we needed it. I asked Nicolette, owner of the beautiful and cosy Inspiratiecafé OSO, if she would like to co-host these meetings. In November 2018 we celebrated the first #girlbossgroningen meeting and it was a great success!
Since then, the community has grown. Some new participants joined, others left. But the essence of the group has remained the same: support each other wherever and whenever we need.
Now that I live in Germany I will have fewer chances to meet these girls every month and talk about our business over a coffee. And I will really miss that. So much. But the group is still connected via our Facebook and WhatsApp groups and I am sure we will find the time to have some online meetings and catch up in person whenever I come to visit Groningen.
They didn’t want me to leave the city without taking a little piece of them and their businesses with me, so they surprised me with the most lovely and creative presents! I was so touched by this gesture. Thank you, girls. I will miss you a lot!
- Get to know the #girlbossgroningen Community
Maike from Friedolien, we met for the first time during Koningsdag and since then we have been supporting each other. She is an illustrator and also started making her own notebooks.
Jessica from Jessica Araus Illustrations, a fellow Spanish-speaking creative. We worked together on my DIY Bookbinding Kits. She made the illustrations that show step-by-step how to make your own books.
Rensina from Yourdailyteacup, not just a tea expert, but also a true entrepreneur and photographer. We have worked together several times, including launching a few products together and making my first professional photo shoot session. I love her tea and if you are lucky, you might get a sample when you order from my shop.
Jennifer from Handcraeft, she is now working on the re-branding of her company. We share a passion for slow crafts and natural dyes. She is a rockstar in Etsy and curates high-quality tools for embroidery.
Christina from Crooked Garden is all energy when it comes to boosting your Instagram. She really knows how to connect with the community and show your work on this social media platform. Her ceramic works and styling are a dream.
Nathalie from Altijd Jarig organizes a Christmas market every year in Haren, nearby Groningen. She is also a teacher and illustrator with a brand new updated Etsy shop.
Nicky from Lezenslessen creates supportive material for teachers, as well as book reviews to help them be up-to-date and always prepare for class.
Shayna from Emvrouwerment helps other women to know their body better and empower them with thoughtful resources about spirituality, well-being and sexuality.
Nicolette from Inspiratiecafé OSO manages the cosiest café in Groningen, where she not just bakes gluten-free cakes and serves delicious coffee, but also inspires and coaches students and young professionals.
Ana from Travel into You is taking a break from her coaching business. We met during one of her coaching sessions at City Central in Groningen. She created a set of cards with her very own pictures and she uses those in her sessions to help you reflect on your own thoughts and feelings.
Lieke from Lieke Koster Artist has not just the most beautiful and kind packaging, but the warmest style in everything she does: either a painting or live streaming on Instagram. She is about to start an adventure living and travelling abroad in a caravan.
Ilse from Ilzi Creations inspires you with happy cards based on her own photographies and organizes coaching sessions and workshops around positive psychology. She also designed a unique collection of handmade jewellery, which you can find at Inspiratiecafé.
- Top Locations for Workshops & Creative Events in the Netherlands
This series of blog posts wouldn’t be completed if I wouldn’t mention all the cafés and locations that opened me their doors to host one of my creative bookbinding and craft workshops.
I was amazed by the warm and welcoming reception from all these business owners when I asked about the possibility of co-hosting my workshops. They were open for all my suggestions and helped me with all the preparations before, during and after the workshops. Especially when you are starting and you are new in a country, where you feel like you are nobody, getting the support and trust of established business owners is a blessing.
So here is a list with my favourite workshop spots in the Netherlands, in case you are looking for one to organize your next creative event:
- Inspiratiecafé OSO, Groningen: Or my workshop headquarters in the city. I organized several events here, including Girls Night: Crafts & Tasting, an evening with more than 9 workshops and creative experiences just for women.
- Urban Heart, Groningen: Renata and the team at Urban Heart organize creative workshops across the Netherlands. Their studio is in Groningen and they also rent it for external workshops.
- Kruid & Ambacht, Haren: This concept store nearby Groningen has a huge workshop table in the back. Its owner, Marijke, organizes monthly workshops and craft activities with a focus on natural dye and knit. This space can also be rented for external workshops. This way they have a varied offer on workshops, like the Paper Workshops from Korau.
- Batsu, Groningen: Sachiko manages this unique Japanese store close to Hoge der A, one of the most beautiful spots in Groningen. She organizes workshops and lectures about Japanese culture and arts.
- City Central, Groningen: An international hub, partly concept store, partly café. The first address you want to visit if you are new in Groningen and want to know what’s going on in the city. They have a well-sorted agenda, including yoga, Dutch and even biking lessons!
- MAAK, Rotterdam: Usually, I had to take the train at 6:30 am to be on time for one of my workshops at Maak in Rotterdam. But believe me, that was worth it! The cosy atmosphere here is incredible and the team always supportive. Plus, delicious cakes!
- Voorlopig, Rotterdam/Delft: I just got to organize a bookbinding workshop in their concept store in Delft, and it was the most gratified experience. This concept store is beautifully decorated and located in the city centre of Delft. Definitely a must-see if you are in the city. And the team there is just lovely.
I worked with many other businesses, including markets and festivals organizations. And contacted many other locations across the Netherlands. So if you are interested or you need some advice about creative locations in the Netherlands, just drop me a message: maybe I can help you further!
Honestly, this list of creative, entrepreneurs and business owners will never be “completed”, because I keep connecting with other people. This is what networking means in times of social media and the Internet. Sure, it won’t be the same. I won’t be able to jump into the next train and being in Rotterdam in less than 3 hours to have a coffee with another business owner and talk about a possible collaboration.
But I will add more names to the list from German-based creatives and entrepreneurs (hopefully!) And I am sure I will go back to the Netherlands every now and then and visit my old friends and fellow entrepreneurs.
Your crafty fellow,
Karen
