From innovation consultant at Philips to passionate furniture maker
After a career as an innovation consultant at a multinational company, Mariëlle decided to follow her passion and become a furniture maker. The step from business consultant to self-employed entrepreneur turned out to be quite a challenge, especially because she had to tap into a completely new target group. Through a coaching program at Brilliant Work, she discovered how to approach her marketing and sales and bring her business to the attention of potential customers.
A dream come true
“I was always creative, but did I really dare to make my passion my work?”
“I’ve been creative all my life: drawing, painting, designing clothes. Yet I worked in medical technology for a long time as an innovation consultant. Until I realized: ‘Do I want to keep doing this until retirement?’ I decided to turn my passion for woodworking into my own business: Mariëlle’s Furniture Making,” Mariëlle says enthusiastically.
After training at The Shrine, where she learned the basics of woodworking, she officially established her furniture making business in the spring of 2023. And since January 2024, she has been a full-time entrepreneur: “I mainly work with traditional tools like Japanese saws and chisels. When I need bigger machines, I go to the Cooperative Woodworking Department. This is a collective workshop where I not only have access to professional equipment, but can also spar with other furniture makers.”
A dream come true
“I was always creative, but did I really dare to make my passion my work?”
“I’ve been creative all my life: drawing, painting, designing clothes. Yet I worked in medical technology for a long time as an innovation consultant. Until I realized: ‘Do I want to keep doing this until retirement?’ I decided to turn my passion for woodworking into my own business: Mariëlle’s Furniture Making,” Mariëlle says enthusiastically.
After training at The Shrine, where she learned the basics of woodworking, she officially established her furniture making business in the spring of 2023. And since January 2024, she has been a full-time entrepreneur: “I mainly work with traditional tools like Japanese saws and chisels. When I need bigger machines, I go to the Cooperative Woodworking Department. This is a collective workshop where I not only have access to professional equipment, but can also spar with other furniture makers.”
Coaching at Brilliant Work: From idea to action
Her coach’s critical questions were indispensable to Mariëlle. For example, during one session it came up that she had not formulated her sales goals in concrete terms. “I was too much in the creative corner, while it is also about figures and goals. This business view has helped me to really dare to sell and to take a critical look at the opportunities I am missing.”
She also made strides in social media. “Through Brilliant Work, I got a 1-on-1 work session on social channels, audiences and frequency of posting. It gave me clarity on where and how often to start posting.”
“My coach helped me turn a list of ideas into a concrete marketing and sales plan.”
Breakthrough: Critical questions and clear goals
Mariëlle noticed that the coach challenged her to not only think in possibilities, but also to choose a clear focus. “By nature I am modest, I don’t like to put myself in the spotlight. But because of the coaching I even approached the press and ended up with a nice article in the newspaper.”
Advice to other entrepreneurs
“Coaching is not just about subject matter, but about your business as a whole. It challenges you and spurs you into action. Sometimes you know things, but you need someone to give you a push to actually do it. The suggestions were critical and concrete, which helped me to make certain action and choices. “
“I would recommend it to anyone: a coach takes a critical look at your business and really helps you move forward.”
Interested in Mariëlle’s portfolio? Check out www.mariellesmeubelmakerij.nl
Like Mariëlle, do you want to grow your business and work more specifically on your marketing and sales?
Then contact Brilliant Work and discover how a coaching program can strengthen your entrepreneurship. And are you a starting entrepreneur in the province of Gelderland or a cultural entrepreneur in Overijssel, registered with the Chamber of Commerce for less than five years? Then it is even possible to work with a coach using starters subsidy!
