Starter Loan - Success Story
De Biesoeterie – Martine De Bauw
For years, Martine has been passionate about everything to do with creativity. “Art and all that that involves, that’s my thing: painting, manufacturing jewellery, stylism, and fashion, via interior installation, furniture and decoration. That’s my field, my passion!”
Martine’s idea of launching her own business wasn’t born yesterday. Through her project, Martine has tried to couple independence with a welfare aspect, thus allowing her to share her passion with her customers. At the occupational level, Martine has always exercised jobs requiring a fair amount of creativity: decoration, selling decorative furniture and creating jewellery. After finding herself without employment following a reorganisation at her last employer, Martine finally decided to become self-employed
Martine tells us: “I didn’t jump into a vacuum. Before starting my own business, I first of all did some research to know whether the market was big enough.” Considering that in Beveren, there was not yet any jeweller’s in existence, and most people had to go into the big towns to find what they were looking for. This observation, combined with the fact that Beveren is a boomtown, convinced Martine to launch the first “Pearl Shop” there. Furthermore, Martine quickly found a shop that was suitable for her activity, which was equipped with a separate workshop and a large window display area.
As regards the financing, the Participation Fund’s decision was quickly made: “As a job seeker, it was more than obvious for me to assemble the funds for my own business. For me, the Starter Loan represented the ideal formula: the collaboration with the mentoring structure proceeded very well, and the maximum amount was amply sufficient for meeting my needs.”
In addition to her shop offering exclusive hand-made jewellery in various materials, and a large assortment of glass pearls and accessories for enthusiasts, Martine also gives workshops on jewellery manufacture..
For further information, contact Martine via her e mail address at de.biesoeterie@hotmail.com or by telephone on 03/775 00 91
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