June 6, 2022 by Mathilde van Wijk
1000 Bommen en Granaten! 30 Seconds! and Qwixx! These games have been daily fare for Floris Toorenburg since April 2020. As a student entrepreneur from Zeewolde, living in a student room in Nijmegen, he started bordspellenwinkel.nl. Almost 1.5 years later, this third-year Commercial Economics HAN student has already merged into the company Meeples! Entrepreneurship is going well for him. But he also wants to complete his studies. Fortunately, HAN has the Top Entrepreneurs Scheme (TOR). A short interview with Floris.
What kind of company do you have?
The Meeples Group is a collective name for all the projects we undertake from our company. Everything we do is related to one theme: board games! We believe that there is a game out there for everyone in the world that truly suits them. Our goal is to help customers in their search for the perfect game!
Why did you want to apply for the Top Entrepreneurs Scheme?
Managing my school hours, my business, and my private life was becoming an increasing challenge. Corine Janssen (my business coach from the CvO) can confirm this, as I interned at my own company for the first half year. Now that I am working on my minor, there was less time available for my business, while the business was getting busier! With the TOR, I can now integrate this more easily, allowing me to also earn my study points!
What specific struggles did you hope to solve with the TOR status?
The Top Entrepreneurs Scheme will help me in various ways. Now that I have the TOR status, it is easier for me to arrange matters within my course and to do things (in consultation) slightly differently than usual. This gives me a dynamic schedule, allowing me to easily switch for business appointments.
What will that bring you?
I have more time available now that I have the TOR. This allows me to grow my business faster and makes it easier to plan internal meetings. Additionally, I hope this will reduce the number of evenings I need to work.
Can you explain what the process for the TOR application entails?
Corine Janssen (my business coach for startup guidance) told me that I was eligible for the TOR. I then scheduled an appointment with Karel Rietdijk (TOR coordinator, HAN CvO), and I had to submit a business plan. After that, I was able to pitch to the TOR committee, and they then granted me the status.
What do you hope to achieve now that you have this status?
A successful completion of my studies and, thereby, to be an example for other student entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship and studying can go hand in hand if you have the right mindset!
You mentioned that Corine Janssen provided you with HAN startup guidance as your business coach. How did you experience this?
I’ve known Corine for almost a year now, and from the first meeting I had with her, I immediately got a good feeling. Among other things, the choice to intern at my own company was something we discussed together. Corine gives me a pleasant perspective on the company and how I stand as an entrepreneur. Additionally, Corine has helped me in various ways through her network to gain new business opportunities.
Awarding of the Top Entrepreneurs Scheme Certificate
On Monday, May 11, Floris received the Top Entrepreneurs Scheme (TOR) certificate from our Executive Board Chairman, Rob Verhofstad. With this TOR status, HAN facilitates this student entrepreneur to better combine his studies with entrepreneurship.
Floris’s business is doing well. Five people with different expertise are now working full-time within the company. There are also various projects at HAN: 25 business administration students are conducting research as part of their studies, and the research group on Prosperous Entrepreneurship is conducting innovative research for his company @meeples_bordspellen Groep. It is clear that Floris sees opportunities everywhere and grabs them with both hands. 🎲🎯
Rob praises the student entrepreneur for the way Floris makes a difference…! Entrepreneurship with impact. Local. Sustainable. This fits perfectly with HAN’s vision: implementing, innovating, and entrepreneurship. Floris is clearly a great ambassador for entrepreneurship at HAN.
source: https://blog3.han.nl/cvo/met-de-juiste–instelling-kan-je-ondernemen-en-studeren-tegelijk/