I gave this presentation during the Industrial Design Engineering Business Fair 2010. Since I am an entrepreneur and have been studying Industrial Design, they asked me to lecture students about starting your own business.

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I’M NOT A BUSINESSMAN,
I’M A BUSINESS, MAN!*
LECTURE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN ENGINEERING BUSINESS
FAIR 2010
WEDNESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2010
THIJS DE VRIES
* (JAY-Z IN DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE (REMIX) - KANYE WEST FEAT. JAY-Z)

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INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE

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INSPIRATIONAL LECTURE
INSPIRE, NOT STIMULATE

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ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR?

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ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR?
POSESSION OF A NEW ENTERPRISE, VENTURE OR IDEA
INITIATIVE TAKING
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK OR FAILURE

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ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR?
POSESSION OF A NEW ENTERPRISE, VENTURE OR IDEA
INITIATIVE TAKING
ACCEPTANCE OF RISK OR FAILURE
IT IS A FEELING

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AM I AN ENTREPRENEUR?

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AM I AN ENTREPRENEUR?
MY STORY
MY EXPERIENCES
TIPS & TRICKS

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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
ENGINEERING
TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY DELFT
START 2000

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STUDIO 51
START FIRST BUSINESS IN 2002
WEBDESIGN

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#1 DO NOT WAIT, DO IT NOW
THERE IS NEVER A GOOD TIME TO START

12. FIRST (SMALL) BUSINESS
EXPERIENCE
VISITING FIRST CLIENT
HOW MUCH CAN YOU ASK?
COMMUNICATION
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13. #2 BE CLEAR ABOUT MONEY
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS WITH CLIENTS
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MASTER DESIGN FOR
INTERACTION
GRADUATION 2007

15. #3 GRADUATE ON SOMETHING
YOU LIKE
THE END OF YOUR EDUCATION CAN BE THE START OF
YOUR BUSINESS
GET PUBLICITY
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16. GRADUATION FINISHED, WHAT’S
NEXT?
I WANTED TO TRY TO START A BUSINESS
SEARCH FOR A BUSINESS PARTNER
TRY
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DESIGNGOED
START SECOND BUSINESS 2007
PRODUCT DESIGN
SPORT, PLAY & HEALTH

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#4 GET A SPARRING PARTNER
QUALITY THROUGH DISCUSSION
WORKING TOGETHER IS LIKE A MARRIAGE

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OFFICE AT HOME
8M2 ON THE ATTIC
OLD COMPUTERS

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#5 CUT COSTS
SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY

21. FIRST PROJECTS
PITCH FOR CLEOPATRA THROUGH SYNTENS
FREELANCE WORK FOR TAMTAM
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22. #6 BOND
CREATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR CLIENTS
HOLD THEM CLOSE
IT IS YOUR NETWORK
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23. NEXT PROJECTS
TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY
MAKE CONTACTS AT BUSINESS FAIRS
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24. #7 DO NOT GO NAKED
ALWAYS GO PREPARED TO MEETINGS, FAIRS, ETC.
HAVE A STORY
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25. OUR PROJECTS
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26. #8 DO WHAT YOU (THINK) YOU
CAN’T DO
DO PROJECTS WHICH ARE DIFFICULT
LEARN SOMETHING NEW THROUGH YOUR PROJECTS
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NEW OFFICE
FIRST INTERNS
BUY NEW STUFF
EXPAND NETWORK

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#9 DO SOMETHING EXCITING
EVERY 3 MONTHS
STAY SHARP
DON’T GET BORED

29. YOOWLS
START OF MY THIRD BUSINESS IN 2008
ONLINE SALES OF PERSONALIZED GAMES
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30. NOT PROJECT BUT PRODUCT
BASED
OTHER WAY OF DOING BUSINESS
INTERESTING
NOT A LOT OF RISK
A LOT OF FUN!
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31. #10 TALK WITH YOUR PARTNERS
MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH YOUR BUSINESS
PARTNERS
BE OPEN AND HONEST
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PRODUCT DESIGN MARKET =
CONSERVATIVE
A LOT OF INTERACTION DESIGN WORK

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#11 ONLY DREAM ABOUT THE
FUTURE
BE REALISTIC ABOUT THE NOW

34. WE SPLIT UP
END OF A BUSINESS
START OF A NEW BUSINESS
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35. CREATIVE SEEDS
START FOURTH BUSINESS HALF 2010
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#12 DO WHAT YOU DO BEST!
WHAT YOU DO BEST IS FUN (AND GOOD FOR YOUR
BUSINESS)

37. PROJECTS
SERIOUS GAMING
INTERACTION DESIGN
INFOGRAPHIC DESIGN
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38. INTERACTIVE WALL
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39. TIMEPLICITY
STARTING MY FIFTH COMPANY ABOUT NOW
TIME MANGEMENT SOFTWARE
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40. LESSONS LEARNED
YOUR OWN BUSINESS IS MOTIVATING
BE PREPARED TO WORK LONG DAYS
YOU DECIDE WHAT TO YOU WANT TO DO
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41. LESSONS LEARNED
YOUR OWN BUSINESS IS MOTIVATING
BE PREPARED TO WORK LONG DAYS
YOU DECIDE WHAT TO YOU WANT TO DO
IF YOU HAVE SUCCES, YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DID IT!
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42. #13 LET THEM KNOW
MAKE SURE YOU CAN BE CONTACTED THROUGH
SEVERAL CHANNELS
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43. THIJS DE VRIES
@THIJSDEVRIES
CREATIVE SEEDS
HTTP://WWW.CREATIVESEEDS.NL
YOOWLS
HTTP://WWW.MIJNEIGENSPEL.NL
TIMEPLICITY
HTTP://WWW.TIMEPLICITY.COM
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