In the last part of this webinar, we take a closer look
at some important business processes
such as digitisation and cybersecurity.
And how do you prepare if you want to expand your Dutch business internationally?
We will conclude with the advice that our guests have
for you as an entrepreneur with a growing business.
Johan, we've talked about taxes, about staff and financing.
What are the really important processes
that you should look at as an entrepreneur for growing your business?
I'd say that it's actually the two things that you just mentioned.
The world becomes more and more digital these days.
There's a new privacy law in place with a lot of requirements that you need to meet:
the AVG in Dutch, GDPR in English.
That's really something that has been here
for the last few months, the last year.
So that's really something to take into consideration.
There's cybercrime these days that becomes more and more...
That's more here than it was a few years ago.
So be careful with what you do digitally
to avoid those scenarios.
I think that's an important thing.
And also, once you start growing international, I think that's
a huge topic to talk about.
Yes, I can imagine. Especially the part that digitisation...
Your work has changed a bit in the last few years.
So maybe ask the entrepreneurs. These aspects that Johan just mentioned
do you pay attention to those as well? -Yeah, absolutely.
Absolutely, yeah.
In terms of cybersecurity, it's something that you have to invest in and be careful.
I mean, we can't see it when there's attacks and stuff on our website.
Additionally, in terms of digitisation
the COVID pandemic has forced us to do only webinars now.
So unfortunately we're not doing in-person events for a while.
And the data privacy, yes, you have to respect all the rules
tell people what you're doing with their data and get their consent.
All these aspects are very real in today's world.
Yes, and they're becoming more real by the day.
Yes, especially the digitisation, just because of the situation.
And Geta, especially because you use electronics in your product
I can imagine that it's also... -First of all, you can't avoid...
You can't pretend that these regulations don't exist and not take them into account.
But yeah, definitely a lot of...
A lot of the parts of the business are going online and you have to go digital
in many aspects, even if you have a physical product.
Because there is the communication and the interaction with your client
and that's one of the main stakeholders anyway when you're doing business.
But then when we're talking electronics
I do have to deal with sensors.
Of course, it's still in development.
Of course, it has to go through certification processes.
But in our design process, we keep that in mind
so it's getting secured by design
in terms of how we're developing the software.
It's very sensitive information, because we're looking at the health
of infants, so
it can't get any more intimate than that.
So you don't only have to look at digitisation for your company
but also for the product. So you have it both ways.
Good luck with trying to figure that out, then.
Well, we're taking our time. -Good. Smart plan.
Because other than just digitisation
Johan, what other advice would you give entrepreneurs
who are thinking of taking their Dutch business abroad?
Look at the potential market where you're planning on going.
Look at: Is there a need for the product that you're providing?
Do you have the necessary market knowledge
of that specific country or will you be needing local people
to help you to get it up and running?
I think those elements are very important.
And I guess that in your case
actually coming from another country, that's helpful.
You'll probably have your network, people who can help you
gain access to the foreign market.
So use that, use your network.
And if you don't have one yourself, there's all kinds of international networks
that you can hook up with.
The Enterprise Europe Network, for one, is one that can actually help you
launch a product in a different country.
Yes, a really important one. Good that you mentioned it, Johan.
This webinar is too short for all the information.
But on business.gov.nl, you'll find all the information you need
along with specific tips for finding customers and business partners.
For example, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency
offers the business partner scan
to quickly provide you with an overview of potential business partners
in your chosen country.
Geta, which other markets, apart from the Netherlands, are you looking at?
Actually, we're looking at Scandinavia for a bunch of reasons
and we have connected with a distribution company there
for the consumer market.
But then for the health part of the business
we are looking right now... Because we are tackling infant mortality
so we looked at a region that has that specific problem
and that's why we are going to Tanzania
and we are launching there.
That's amazing to be launching. -We're launching our initial study
in a hospital there, because we're making a tool for
preventing neonatal mortality.
But also on top of that
because of the nature of the work that we're doing
I had actually really good support from the Dutch government
in connecting the business to the United Nations programmes.
And that was super valuable. I can't state the value of that.
Wow. So what does that bring you then?
Literally... When was it? Last year.
I had the connection with the RVO officer
who is in charge of connecting Dutch companies
to the UN programmes.
And then I became part of this procurement seminar with the United Nations.
I joined the Dutch delegation to Copenhagen.
Wow, that's quite amazing. -So then we got to register
as a supplier for the United Nations
which is a really high-value opportunity for a company like mine.
That's good to know, that these types of connections can come from that.
So, Karim, looking three years into the future
what will your goals be? And maybe in connection with, of course
the government that can take you there?
Honestly, we're looking to just continue to grow
and, of course, grow to other countries as well.
The whole system in the Netherlands is very supportive for entrepreneurship.
From just having access to capital, having access to labour force
having access to information
and everything readily available in English as well.
It's just the whole business mindset, I think
in this whole infrastructure that we call the Netherlands
that is super helpful.
So that was actually one of the easiest aspects
because it's so set up in the Netherlands. -It's just super easy.
It's really incredible. -Well, that's good to hear, of course.
In retrospect, if that was one of the easiest and best parts
what was one of the biggest challenges you had to overcome?
In all honesty, when I started doing this
I just did it out of love and out of kindness to help people
but that doesn't pay the bills.
So actually, just to know that I had a business
and what to do to make it the successful business than it is today
that was really the challenge, finding what I need to do.
And that's the thing. Knowledge and knowing what you need to do
is probably, in my opinion, the most valuable thing.
It's more valuable than money. It's more valuable than a lot of things.
And I think it's also good for entrepreneurs at home to hear
that you don't have to start off with huge capital
but first off with a passion and that's your driving force.
Because, Geta, in retrospect for you as well
what was your biggest challenge in starting Babymoon?
My biggest challenge was
well, it wasn't a challenge. It was just a process that took a lot of time and effort.
It was figuring out the landscape.
Because I did come to the Netherlands and I was on the programme.
The programme was done with
and then it took a while to set up a network here specifically.
And because I'm pretty niche
it took a while before I found the right people.
Is it something that you would have done differently, if you're looking back at it?
I don't think so.
In finding the right people, that you say: If I would have known this, then...
For example, it's just...
This is not something to put blame on, but
I have a pretty good knowledge of the international landscape
of the baby carrier world.
And I am fluent in Romanian, English and Russian
but I didn't know Dutch.
So it was...
But this is a market-specific situation.
I came here
and I was looking for baby carriers in the Netherlands and I found nothing.
And then I would ask people in the programme
but they were business-related people, so they had no network to that.
So it took me actually over a year, because I didn't know the language
and I didn't have the local network connections.
But in the end, I have done that. Maybe it would have been nice
if I did that faster, but that's that. That's how things are.
So many processes take time.
It's also good to know... -It turned out that the specific language
in the niche that I'm working in, is very different in Dutch.
But this is a case-specific situation.
So, Karim, did you also have a language barrier problem?
I speak Dutch. -Oh, that's true. So you didn't have it.
But actually, because I'm kind of catering to an international audience
and my clients are catering to that same audience
all their communication is done in English.
So it's actually really authentic when I'm just speaking in my native tongue.
I mean, I can read it. Basic Dutch is helpful
but it's not mandatory to have a successful business in the Netherlands.
I can name you tons of expats that I know that have crazy successful businesses
and their Dutch is niet zo best.
That's good to hear, especially because
we're also talking about expanding our business internationally.
The language barrier, of course, in some specific cases could be a thing.
But usually, I mean, English is quite world-wide spoken.
So how do you think, Karim, first off
you will be able to manage your international growth in the upcoming years?
With calm and serenity, meditation and breathing.
It's all about having good people around you. It really is that.
I cannot stress the fact. Have the people you click with, people you can trust
people you can rely on and, you know, you give the trust
and you just do your best and focus on your clients and the people you work with.
Would you agree with that, Geta? -Yeah, definitely.
Is there also maybe a difference when you're growing
and broadening your view internationally when looking for funding?
Well, you always have to work with the people you click with.
Wherever you go, because otherwise it's just
eating you up. You can't.
That's very true and good to mention. -If you want to
achieve your goal, you can't afford putting yourself under stress.
You don't throw yourself under the bus.
You have to manage the business
but you also have to manage your own state
and your own sanity and health so that you can be in a good shape
for the time when you achieve that goal you're working towards.
So it's important. -The people around you are most important.
Who you're working with, but also your funding partners.
That we should really keep in mind.
So Karim, we've heard you talking, of course, about your Expat Republic.
The walking network, where you were able to connect people and move on.
But I was really interested: How did you find people that help you?
Actually the same way. Via via, through people that I know
or through our own network.
So literally, when I need help with something, I ask my community.
So Expat Republic. -Yeah. So that already is so wide
that I can get a lot of reach and get the help that I need.
It's all about being transparent, saying: Hey, I need this help.
And you know, you put out positivity into the world, it comes back to you.
It really is that simple.
Would that also be your advice for all the entrepreneurs watching at home right now?
Yes, definitely. Try and connect with as many people as you can.
Go to networking events, join different expat Facebook groups
join Dutch groups, you know, the local community.
Get involved, get to know people, ask around.
There is a culture in the Netherlands, a very entrepreneurial culture
about helping one another and that's very deeply rooted in the culture.
So it was quite easy for me to get a lot of help.
It's just that business trading mindset is so omnipresent. So we're very lucky.
And I can imagine that's different in other countries.
So would that advice be different if you look outside of the Netherlands?
I think on a general level, there's a lot of commonality around the world.
People are generally good people and want to help.
I just find that the whole business and trade
is so ingrained in the Dutch culture, also historically.
So I think just the ease of doing these things
and it's also very efficient and everything is very well structured.
So it's not so much like... The structure here is really good
when you compare it to other countries. That's really the main thing.
Well, that's good to hear. Glad we are here.
Geta, do you have a last bit of advice for the entrepreneurs
in how to take that next step?
That next step. Well, just keep going.
Find your goal and then work towards it.
And then if it's too much, ask for help.
And again, you have to keep in mind
the business is not necessarily forever.
So if it doesn't work, do not hesitate to stop
do not hesitate to restart, do not hesitate to restructure
because that's how entrepreneurship works.
And always, if I understand you correctly
remember what your passion is and keep going for that.
Thank you so much. Thank you all for your contributions to this webinar today.
So we can conclude that when your business is up and running and even growing
it becomes important to look at issues such as data protection.
We get to deal with the general data protection regulation
the GDPR, or in Dutch: the AVG.
And when you're looking to expand your business across the borders
you should do research on the best markets for your products or services.
Last but not least, we've seen the importance of a good network
and the challenges of keeping your eyes on the future.
We hope you all manage to stay focused.
We've come to the end of this webinar.
We hope this has been an inspiration for you as an entrepreneur
running your business in the Netherlands.
For more information, please visit our website business.gov.nl.
Thank you for watching. Good luck with your business
and we hope to welcome you at our next webinar.