Happy birthday, Mom ❤️
And happy birthday, YouLynq.me 🎉
This is our company’s founding video. No one has ever seen it before.
Until last year, I always said I would never post this video. But this year, I’m all about showing more of myself. So here it is. A peek behind the scenes.
One drink too many. Back when I still drank. And thankfully, I’ve quit.
On a terrace in Amsterdam. Friday night. May 2019.
On our mothers’ birthday.
We sent her a video message. With congratulations… and the news that Maarten had stopped his job hunt. Because he had a new job. At our new company.
What ecstasy.
That feeling will never really come back.
We started working harder, but I don’t think we’ve ever been more enthusiastic.
Within six weeks, we were working 24/7.
It might be nice to share how our business relationship developed. In this video, we still say that Maarten is “on the payroll.” He started out working for room and board. Soon he was getting 10%. Then a little more. And then a little more.
I’ll never forget the moment after a year and a half. He wanted to earn more. I said: either you get a higher salary, or you get more shares.
He chose the second option.
Not a bad decision.
Now, seven years have passed. And to be honest: the recklessness and dreams of back then are unmatched. After six weeks, things really took off, and suddenly seven years have gone by.
Pretty crazy.
Life has completely changed.
I have two kids and have moved twice.
Maarten is now backpacking all over the world and working remotely.
And to be honest: it’s a dream come true.
And of course, a shout-out to our moms ❤️
Because it’s her birthday today.
Back then, she didn’t know that a year and a half later she’d be working with us full-time. She’s been with us for 5.5 years now. What started as part-time quickly became full-time and is now more than that.
Thank you, dear family.
Thank you, team.
Thank you, clients.
Thank you, partners.
I’m grateful that we’re on this journey together.
Who else sometimes misses the carefree enthusiasm of when you first started?
Watch the full video here!
