How do Luci & I (Douwe) actually know each other?

How do Luci and I (Douwe) actually know each other? 🤔

We've known of each other for a long time, really. We ran into each other at the same sports clubs and teenage parties in the town where we grew up. When Luci launched the Ziemi crowdfunding campaign it was big news, and it caught my eye straight away. I saw it and immediately thought: "Damn, I wish I'd thought of that. Such a simple solution: why didn't this exist already?" During my master's I got the chance to support a company of my choice with a consultancy assignment. That was my moment! I messaged Luci offering to write a go-to-market strategy for her, and the rest is history.

And our backgrounds?

Luci has a Bachelor's in Industrial Design Engineering and a Master's in Integrated Product Design from TU Delft. Her dream has always been to become an inventor and entrepreneur. At just ten years old she took part in "Het Beste Idee van Nederland" — the Dutch invention show. The idea? You'll have to ask her that yourself!

I have a Bachelor's in Business Studies and a Master's in Business Administration from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, plus a minor in entrepreneurship. In 2020 I started Tiny-Chef, making sustainable kitchen products out of old jeans. We sold the first 250 units, but when COVID-19 arrived, partnerships with restaurants got harder. I decided to go and finish my degree first.

What makes it such a good combination? 🤔

Luci's passion for design and innovation, combined with my business and operational insights, creates a complete picture. While Luci develops new and user-friendly products, I work out the strategies to successfully market these products. Our shared ADHD allows us to effortlessly combine creative ideas with business opportunities. With our high energy, enthusiasm, and perseverance, we successfully launch our products into the market and always go the extra mile.

Why entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurship runs in our blood. We both come from families of entrepreneurs and grew up with the idea that creativity and persistence let you build new solutions. For us, Ziemi isn't just a company: it's a way to make a positive impact, to grow together and to learn. It's special to make every decision together and to learn something new each day. After all, you can only win or learn, and learning is really a form of winning too.

By the way, the photo is from the Taipei Cycle Show in Taiwan. Making such an impressive trip right at the start of our collaboration was a great beginning. You get to know each other properly straight away!