Nyenrode VCV Magazine

This was a first for the boys of boatique! Loek and Ole are on the cover of the 298th edition of the Van Verre Magazine, a publication by Nyenrode Business University. Loek and Ole, both are alumnus of the university, were interviewed about boatique. You can read the full translated article in this blog.

boatique: an entrepreneurial adventure on the waters

We meet Loek de Lyon (20190804) and Ole Nijst (20190122), the faces behind the emerging company Boatique. Sitting by the canals in Amsterdam, they share their story, from their friendship at Nyenrode Business University to the entrepreneurial adventure that led to the creation of Boatique.

Loek begins his story with his background in Oosterhout, near Breda. As an only child, he completed his VWO (pre-university education) before heading to Nyenrode at the age of 18 to start his bachelor's degree. The first six months on campus were a rollercoaster of new experiences, meeting people, and participating in various activities organized by different committees until the sudden halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges, this time of isolation on campus brought a sense of togetherness for him and Ole. On the other hand, Ole spent part of his youth in Singapore before eventually ending up in Breda. Growing up in a household filled with sisters, his childhood was characterized by a house full of women. Both of them chose Nyenrode because of its personal and entrepreneurial atmosphere. Their friendship began during an introductory lunch at Nyenrode, where they discovered they had some common acquaintances. Apart from each other, they joined the Luctor dispute, a decision that further deepened their friendship. After spending a year and a half on campus and partly in Brabant, they decided to move to Amsterdam as housemates, where they have been living for three years. Despite the online classes at Nyenrode, they managed to combine it well with their life in Amsterdam.

The pandemic inspired the beginning of boatique when their shared passion for boats became more active. What started as a project idea quickly grew into the establishment of Boatique. With a healthy dose of entrepreneurship, they bought an old diesel boat via Marktplaats (a Dutch online marketplace) and embarked on a learning process, discovering many things and making mistakes along the way. Nowadays, they both work full-time on Boatique and have multiple electric boats in their fleet.

Connection with Nyenrode

Their connection with Nyenrode remains strong, as evidenced by their involvement in the Company Project, an initiative they were recently approached for by Professor Rob Berting at Nyenrode. This project is aimed at added value, testifies to the ongoing relationship between Boatique and their former university.

During their time at Nyenrode, the ambition to become entrepreneurs emerged in both Loek and Ole. Nyenrode encouraged them to take risks and forge their own path. While they both shared a passion for boats, they believe that if it weren't for boats, they would have been equally passionate about another sector.

“We are extending the boardroom to the water”

Boatique evolved from a shared passion into a unique concept. Loek and Ole began to notice that many people were enthusiastic about boats but often hesitant due to the complexity and hassle surrounding them. This gave rise to the idea of Boatique as a complete proposition: they build sustainable electric boats with numerous options and lease them fully operational to customers, providing them with complete peace of mind. A custom-made corporate boat, branded in the customer's style, serves as a powerful marketing tool.

The boats are leased for a fixed monthly fee, including insurance, mooring, maintenance, crew organization, and cleaning services. With electric boats, they anticipate the future requirements of the city of Amsterdam, which will reject diesel boats from 2030. The benefits of electric boating go beyond sustainability; it also offers a peaceful, quiet experience, ideal for business meetings on the canals.

Friendship, collaboration, and future plans

The friendship between Loek and Ole grew from campus acquaintances to roommates and ultimately business partners. Their collaboration, though challenging, exceeded their expectations. The ability to communicate openly with each other, based on a deep understanding of each other's personalities, contributes to the success of their partnership. Loek's realism and Ole's opportunism's complementary qualities form the core of their dynamics, allowing them to objectively convince each other.

While Boatique is still in the startup phase, the company is already working on scaling up to more customers and boats in Amsterdam, with future plans to explore other cities in the Netherlands. The highest priority currently lies in acquiring new customers, with the boat construction process taking approximately 6 to 8 weeks.

Life lessons from Nyenrode

What have Loek and Ole taken from their time at Nyenrode? Firstly, the realization that you are never too young to take risks, and secondly, the value of social interaction. Nyenrode taught them not to judge others too quickly and to see every encounter as an opportunity for friendship. The random room assignments on campus forced them to get along well with others and have fun, which is now reflected in their ability to successfully collaborate both as friends and business partners.

As we conclude our time by the waterfront, Loek and Ole look to the future of Boatique with optimism and determination. Their story is one of friendship, entrepreneurship, and the infinite possibilities that arise when you follow your passion, even if it takes you into uncharted waters.

Source: Van Verre, ed. 298. 

Author Article: Fleur Sijbrands