The Hero's Journey Amsterdam. Making Money Doing What You Love.

The Hero’s Journey in Amsterdam

Making Money Doing What You Love

“Travel in a worldcity and meet your heroes and heroines,
who earn their money doing what they love.
They will inspire you to create your own legend.”

Peter de Kuster
Founder of The Hero’s Journey

Contents

Prologue 4
Making Money Doing What They Love

CH7 The Myths about Creative Heroes
Vondelpark

Introduction 5

The Hero’s Journey 7
Your Quest

CH8
Testdrive Your Dreamjob 65
Atelier Marcel Wanders

CH1 Creative Hero 11
The

The new Rijksmuseum
Quiz 15

CH2 The Great Traits of Creative Heroes
Hotel Conservatorium

23

28

CH3 Motivated to be a Creative Hero

Concertgebouw

CH4 Hero’s Journey 32
Your
Van Gogh Museum

CH5 Your Story 41
What’s
Tuschinski
CH6
For Love and Money 48
Delamar

56

CH9 is a Pitch 72
Life

Beurs van Berlage
CH10 Own Hero 81
Be Your
Heineiken Experience

CH11 Your Own Heroes 93
Meet
Madame Tussaud

CH12 The Tragic Creative Heroes
100
Wallen

Epilogue 126

Amsterdam International Fashion Week
Questionnaires 132

Our Heroes of Amsterdam

Making Money

Doing What They Love
These skills include:

Attention all artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, sports heroes,
actors, writers and anyone who’s working in the creative fields – even
if your chosen profession is not the most conventinal one, cultivating
and growing a successful, financially rewarding career is still your goal.
In The Hero’s Journey in Amsterdam I – Peter de Kuster – will provide
you with the stories of heroes and heroines from Amsterdam (past and
present) on overcoming some of the specific challenges faced by creative, entrepreneurial, innovative and right-brainer people, who want a
career that is both satisfying and successful. Creative entrepreneurs,
freelancers and professionals need a set of skills that will turn their
passion into a viable career.

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•
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•
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How to choose a career that best suits your talents.
Setting realistic goals using right-brain techniques.
How to avoid the pitfalls that ruin a creative career.
How to schmooze your way to success.
How to create a business plan when you are the business.
How to be disciplined when you are your own boss.

When you find an outlet for your creativity in the form of a career, you’ll
discover a freedom in your working life that you can live with on the
long term. You can follow your passion, build a brillant career, and have
financial security – if you know which skills to use. Let me show you the
way in this travel guide of Amsterdam.

Introduction

There is no such thing as a Santa Claus – and there’s certainly no such
thing as the perfect career. That’s what many people really think,
and it’s sad, because there are plenty of rewarding, challenging and
fulfilling career opportunities that allow creative people to use their
gifts and be rewarded handsomely for their efforts. Those who
settle for less than the best, simply haven’t found the right job – yet.
You can have it all when it comes to a creative career –
if you know how.

The fact is that most people hate their jobs. They would rather be doing
something else – anything else. It doesn’t have to be that way. What if
I told you that you would never have to work another day in your life?
Would you be interested?
When you find the right fit in a career, it no longer feels like work. You
wake up every day excited about how you earn your living. This perfect
harmonizing of your talents, skills, personality and work style creates
a passion and a desire, as well as a feeling of contentment that is worth
more than gold.
It can be yours, if you will read this travel guide
of Amsterdam.

The challenge of this journey is, that the creative business is very
different from other businesses. To get ahead, you sometimes have
to zigzag to the top. Let the stories of creative heroes and heroines of
Amsterdam show you when to zig and when to zag, to make the most
of the opportunities out there.
Using a map of Amsterdam you embark on a journey, an adventure in
search of yourself. The thing is, there isn’t a golden (or orange) egg
waiting for you, when you get to the spot marked ‘X’ on the map. The
buried treasure is within you. The pursuit of the gold (or the goal) is the
reward. Because, when it comes to a career, there is no ‘there’ there.
It is all a quest. Enjoying the quest is what success is all about. This is
the age of opportunity for the creative person. Innovation and ideas
are gold. Ridicule and red tape are being replaced with respect and
rewards for the clever and creative person. The business environment is
changing, and changing for the better – for you. Are you ready for these
exciting times ahead?
This travel guide of Amsterdam will put you in a position to prosper.
What parents, teachers and bosses might see as problems (sloppiness,
habitual tardiness, short attention span, non-conformism), can actually
be hidden assets in the search for work in a rewarding, interesting and
creative career.

Intuition, emotion, divergent thinking, daydreaming, thriving on
chaos, big–picture thinking, cleverness, open–mindedness and an
ability to play and have fun are virtues in the right setting.
Even so, it’s not exactly easy to build a career in the creative business
world. You have to be able to deal with rejection. It is a part of everyday life for the creative person. There is also that funny feeling that you
don’t quite fit in – and you don’t.
An unconventional person with unconventional ideas, you are often
seen as immature, temperamental, moody, difficult, distracted, irresponsible, and irrational. The truth is, you can be your wonderful self
and still get ahead in the business world. This travel guide of Amsterdam will help you manage your career using a whole–brain approach
that takes advantage of the way you are, without forgetting the way
the world works.

The Hero’s Journey

Your Quest

The Hero’s Journey

It’s time to move on, move up, and move out with a new mission. The
Hero’s Journey is about taking charge of your destiny so that no idiot
can control your fate.
Most books are very thorough, when it comes to identifying and
informing you about the problems and pitfalls of a creative career.
However, what they lack, is the - “What the hell am I supposed to do
about it? - part. I decided to make the Hero’s Journey travel guides
about real life heroes and heroines, of past and present, in Amsterdam with heavy on concrete tips, anecdotes and lessons to be learned
from them.
New creative careers and enterprises are popping up all the time.
There has never been a better time to strike out on your own. This is
your time to shine as a creative person. The future looks bright. Many
of the current trends favor your preferred mode of operation – selfreliance, zigzagging to the top, rapid change, multi–tasking, chaos,
adaptability, intuition, training and retraining.

This travel guide of Amsterdam will show you how to find your career
niche, and then how to earn a living doing what you love. You will
learn how to overcome the challenges the creative right-brainer faces,
and how to make your nature and your creativity work for you. You’ll
learn how to market yourself even in a crowded marketplace, survive
and thrive in the battlefield that is entrepreneurship. How to be your
own boss and work for others, take the ‘free” out of “freelance”, rise to
the top without stepping on too many toes, and use your natural
abilities to find a perfect pitch and harmony in your work world.
In reality, ‘The Hero’s Journey’ is about your life. There is a direct, undeniable correlation between your career and your life. It’s less about
what you do for a living than what you can live with doing. Finding fun
and fulfillment at work spills over into the rest of your life. Without
it, your health will suffer, your creativity will suffer, your performance
will suffer – and so will everybody around you. You don’t need to live
that way.

If you are thinking about giving up on a creative career and getting a
‘real’ job, stop right there. When you settle for less than what’s best
for you, you instantly get less than you settled for. Don’t sell yourself
short. The regret will eat you up inside. Don’t miss your chance - it may
be right around the corner. Instead, get going and go for it – be bold.
Use the strategies of heroes and heroines in Amsterdam to give you an
advantage.
Don’t let others push boulders in your path and fill your head with facts
like ‘most businesses fail in the first year’, ‘It’s too competitive out
there’, ‘there are no (dancing) jobs’, ‘you don’t have enough experience or talent’ or ‘you have no agent’. It’s bad enough that these
insecure and misinformed people are telling you why you can’t succeed.
It’s worse if you believe them. Don’t let anyone talk your dreams down.
This travel guide through Amsterdam is for creative people in all walks
of life – carpenter or composer, dancer or painter, poet or musician,
philosopher or travel guide, magician or designer, architect or writer, actor or account manager. It isn’t meant to apply to just the glamour jobs; whatever form your creativity takes, you can apply these
stories.
For everyone who tells you: “You can’t make a living doing that!”,
there are hundreds and thousands of examples of creative heroes and
heroines, in all the cities of the world, who found a way to turn
something they thought was fun and would even do for free, into a
fulfilling life and career.
I will help you as your travel guide to take your powerful creative energy and harness it, and you will beat the odds, making a living doing
what you love to do. Your life will become a hero’s journey story.

Your

Quest

Few people know what they want when they grow up, and even
fewer creative people want to grow up. Maybe you won’t discover your
true calling until you test-drive several dream jobs and work with some
rolemodels. Isn’t it better to testdrive them, using that incredible
imagination of yours than waste years on a dead-end-job? One of the
key things you’ll work on here is defining what you want to do (not for
the rest of your life, but what you want to do now) and eliminating
the careers that aren’t a fit.
The choices that lead to a life of creative expression and financial
security are here for the making. The catch is, that creative careers
are often unconventional and in some cases completely unchartered.
The challenge is that there are a million different things you could do.
The key to success in any career is clarity. Becoming clear about who
you are and what you love is the first part of this travel guide through
Amsterdam. Then, how to get what you want is covered in great detail.
It’s hard work, but this is your chance to reinvent yourself. Don’t let it
pass you by.

Chapter 1

The Creative Hero

The New Rijksmuseum

1

The Creative Hero

Success for a creative hero can be tremendous. Not just in money, but
in creative freedom. Look at the list of the highest–paid actors and
entrepreneurs – they are all people who don’t fit any mold, but they’re
also people who used that fact to their benefit.
You can do it too, in your own way, on your own time, reaching your
own goals. Unmire yourself from the myths about creative people.
Don’t be afraid to look at your strenghts and weaknesses. Face the fact
that traditional business management, which is left-brain, logical and
linear (not to mention rigid, boring, and counterproductive), doesn’t
work for you. It isn’t much fun and if it isn’t at least a little bit of fun,
you’re not going to do it.
It’s that simple. If it’s not fast, fun, flexible and easy, you are less likely to
embrace it. Be willing to work within a system – as long as it’s one that
you create and one that works with you, as well as for you.

Architects of ‘The New Rijksmuseum’: Cruz & Ortiz

Creatives have an insatiable hunger to achieve, create, accomplish.
They want to be recognized and heard, receive applause and take
home awards. They desire change, to create a body of work, to earn
and to make deals. Many people who don’t know what they want
actually want too much, too fast.

The key to success is, learning how to focus on what’s most important.
It’s counterproductive trying to do too many things at once – nor is it
good to focus on only one area of your life or work. One way to whittle
it down (focus) and spread it around (multifocus) is, to choose a top
goal for each aspect of your life.
Take a good, hard look at who you are, what’s your story and what you
want out of life. Sometimes, having everything to be just okay, having
an adequate job and a moderate life, is the biggest tragedy of all.
Take the time now to find yourself, so you can live your life without
getting lost and make good decisions, that will lead you to the
success and happiness you desire.
We are all born creative. What happens to us from kindergarten to
college shapes how much of that creativity stays with us. Some,
despite the best efforts of the school system and the corporate
system to stamp out the creative spirit, slip through the cracks,
creativity intact. You are still not safe. Ninety–eight percent of the
people in the world, are living the left–brained life. Society tends to
reward the left brain (structure, status quo) and reprimand the right
brain (chaos, creativity, innovation).

You can stunt your creative spirit with disuse. You cannot lose a
talent, but your skills can certainly atrophy. Almost any job can be
done creatively. Entrepreneurs must be creative to survive. Managing people can be done creatively. Marketing, communication and
sales, certainly involve a degree of creativity. Even distribution and
finance can be a right-brained affair. What makes any career interesting, exciting and vital, is the creative approach you take to it.
People who ignore their creative gifts in their careers, are frustrated
and unhappy by midlife (or much sooner). Happiness comes from
finding your greatest gifts and abilities and then developing, and
using them, in the work you do.
Creativity and creative careers involve a whole-brain approach, an
interaction between the left hemisphere of your brain (the detailoriented accountant side) and the right hemisphere (the big picture, artistic side). The right brain comes up with the ideas, and the
left brain implements them. Too much right brain and nothing gets
done; too much left brain and life is dull and uninspiring.

As a right-brainer you are absolutely unique (and wonderful). There
has never been anyone like you and there will never be again. Ponder
that for a moment. Beneath all the self-doubt, guilt, fear, remorse, and
distorted stories is a gem of a person who, more than anything,
deserves to be happy, successful and fulfilled. To have a career that
is challenging and rewarding. A career that fits like a glove and is
such a joy that you would do it for free. But, is so valuable to others,
that you are paid well. And why not? You have found your place in
the universe, you are making a contribution with your talent and
creativity.
Once you understand yourself and what work you enjoy doing, you
can work with your natural abilities and tendencies rather than
against them. It makes life much easier. This is something that is
unique to you. It is what will work best for you. So don’t just breeze
past the questions in this travel guide. Make the time to really give
some thought to who you are, what you want to do, and what the
best way would be to do it. I have always said that to find yourself you need to go on a journey. You need time for reflection, away
from the hustle and bustle of your busy life, to open yourself to new
possibilities.

Quiz

Do you honestly love what you do now? Are you excited to go to
work on Monday? Do you go home happy? If you answered “no” to
any of these questions, there is a better way for your beautiful mind.

The following quiz should give you an indication of where your natural
tendencies lie – left brain, right brain, or whole brain. Answer honestly
and quickly. Don’t dwell on the answers, and don’t try to figure out
what I’m looking for. We are going to explore new worlds together.

1.

There is no ‘right’ answer!

When it comes to emotions,
a. I can articulate my feeling to others.
b. I am better at expressing my emotions through my creative
work.

2.

I have always been told, that
a. I’d make a great accountant.
b. I was a natural – born artist.

3.

For me, success is
a. closely related to annual income.
b. unrelated to the money I make.

7.

When it comes to a big project, my strength is in seeing
a. the worm’s eye – view (details).
b. the bird’s eye – view (the big picture).

4.

When trying to explain how I came up with an idea,
a. I am able to put it into terms others can understand.
b. I feel like an alien from another planet.

8.

When my boss or client puts me on the spot,
a. I say what I mean and mean what I say.
b. I tell him what I think he wants to hear.

5.

When I am working on a project,
a. I am not happy until it’s done.
b. I enjoy the process.

9.

Joking around the water cooler, I’ve been compared to
a. Leonardo da Vinci.
b. Valentino.

6.

It’s a beautiful summer day, but I have work to do. I will
a. get my work done first and then go to the beach.
b. go to the ‘Leonardo da Vinci Museum’ and deal with my
work later.

10.

When I have several unfinished projects going at once, I feel
a. frustrated.
b. stimulated.

11.

When it comes to decorating my office,
a. I’ll find an arrangement that works, and stick with it.
b. I’ll re-arrange everything, at least every six months.

14.

I’m more
a. logical.
b. intuitive.

12.

For me, multitasking is
a. doing two things at once.
b. talking on the phone, internetting, sending an email,
watching sports on TV, making faces to a friend and
sorting through the mail at once.

15.

After work,
a. I’ll go home, or maybe I’ll go out with people of my project.
b. I’d like to go to places, where people from other projects
hang out.

16.

Before I speak,
a. I think it through and censor it in my head.
b. I say the first thing that pops into my head.

13.

When I’m asked to bring something to a party,
a. I’ll bring paper plates.
b. I have a new recipe that I’m dying to try out.

17.

I’m running late for an important meeting and a dear friend
calls with a relationship crisis,
a. I’ll explain that I am in a hurry and will call him back as soon
as I can.
b. I’d say “The hell with the meeting”. My friend needs me now.

18.

When it comes to problem-solving,
a. I would analyze things, from a logical perspective.
b. I would consult my ‘gut’ for an answer.

19.

My car is
a. practical and safe.
b. stylish and fun to drive.

20.

I am best at remembering
a. names.
b. faces.

21.

Whenever there is a crisis in my life,
a. I would retreat into myself and try to solve it on my own.
b. I would prefer to talk about it, with others.

22.

In making decisions,
a. I tend to focus on the actualities.
b. I tend to focus on the possibilities.

27.

28.

23.

I write with my

a. right hand.
b. left hand.

24.

I am a natural born
a. learner.
b. teacher.

25.

If I had two yearlong projects to choose from, I’d pick
a. an analysis of the company’s past and future profit centres.
b. working on the company’s marketing materials.

26.

When I meet a prospective client/employer,
a. I will prepare a written list of questions.
b. I’ll talk off the top of my head, taking my cue from them.

When I am learning a new software program,
a. I’d read the manual and then begin.
b.What manual? I figure things out on my own.
I believe
a. you can make things happen through sheer force of will.
b. there is a force in the universe that brings things to you.

29.

I just met with a prospective client/employer, whom I really
connected with. When I leave, I will
a. shake their hand.
b. give them a hug.

30.

If I could choose my working hours, they’d start at
a. 6.00 o’clock in the morning.
b. 6.00 o’clock in the evening.

31.

My daily routine is mostly like the movie:
a. Boccaccio 70 (little variety).
b. Rocco and his Brothers (adventures every day).

32.

It’s my birthday and my friends have thrown me a surprise
party, I am
a. embarrassed (I don’t like surprises).
b. thrilled (I love surprises).

33.

When someone asks about my vacation,
a. I’ll give them names and places.
b. I’ll describe in intricate detail how wonderful it felt to be away,
I’ll talk about all the things that I have seen, the wonderful
people that I’ve met and the fun that I’ve had.

34.

When I get the paper, I’ll usually first turn to
a. the business section.
b. the comics.

35.

While out for lunch with friends, I receive an urgent call and
ask them to order for me. They will
a. know exactly what I want, because I always get the same
thing.
b. not have a clue, because I am always trying something new.

36.

If the meeting is scheduled for 10 o’clock,
a. I’ll arrive a quarter of an hour early. I’m known for my punctuality.
b. I’ll try not to be the last person to show up, but how was I to
know traffic would be so sad?

42.

If I were on a game show and my winning totalled 10.000
euro, with the option to keep what I have or risk it all on one
more question for double or nothing, I would likely
a. take the money and run.
b. bet it all.

43.

If I were going to clean out my desk, I would take the
following approach:
a. Do it a little at a time, until I am finished.
b. Pull everything from the drawers and do as much as I can,
before pushing the rest back in.

44.

If I were offered a promotion that involved moving to Hong
Kong for two years,
a. I’d opt out, because I don’t speak Chinese.
b. I’d be on the phone with my travel agent, in two seconds flat.

37.

If I lost my planner, I would be completely lost.
a. My whole life is in there.
b. I’m sure that’s where I stuck the little paper, which had the
name and number of the client on it and who urgently needed that callback, yesterday.

38.

My idea of organization is,
a. making a list of all the things to be done and then prioritizing
the tasks.
b. playing with my Post-It-Notes, putting them on the wall in
some sort of order.

39.

When I am working and the phone rings, I will
a. look at it as a nuisance and let it ring.
b. look at it as a welcome break and pick it up.

45.

I am ready to leave for work, and
a. I’ll know exactly where my car keys are.
b. I’ll go on a search-and-destroy mission, in finding my keys.

40.

My boss/client likes to say that
a. I keep my nose to the grindstone.
b. I keep my head in the clouds.

46.

When I log on to the internet, I’ll do it with
a. a plan and a purpose: get in and get out.
b. no plan at all, pausing and looking at whatever catches my
fancy.

41.

I’m learning the best, when you
a. tell me what to do.
b. show me what to do.

47.

When I’m researching a project,
a. I’ll find as many books and articles as I can, and read them
from front to back.
b. I’ll ask someone for tips on the best places to look for, and
skim those.

Results of the quiz

In the quiz, a answers count zero; b answers count 1.

If your total is 15 or less, you must have bought this travel guide for
somebody else and you’re just going through the quizzes for kicks,
because you’re just a serious left-brainer. A total of 16 to 35 indicates a
fairly balanced, whole-brain approach to the world, or a right-brainer
who was working in the financial services. You will go far if you can learn
to loosen up a little.

48.

If I would inadvertently offend a co-worker, I’d
a. say nothing, hire a lawyer and hope that the whole thing will
blow over.
b. have a sit down and discuss his or her feelings, while apologizing profusely.

49. When it comes to remembering all the things that I have to
do:

a. I’ll make a master list, down to the last detail.

b. What was the question again?
50.

My office desk is organized in such a way, that
a. anybody could come in and find what they need quickly.
b. I pity anyone who has to try to figure out my system.

With a total over 35, you can consider yourself a right-brainer. A
Creative Hero, with all the blessings and curses attached to it. If you
came up with your own answer even once, refusing to go with the
choices offered, give yourself a star. You are a true right brainer, an independent thinker, an original, a creative hero.

Chapter 2

The Great Traits of Creative Heroes

Hotel Conservatorium

2

The Great Traits of
Creative Heroes

While nobody uses only their right brain or left brain, most creatives
tend to rely heavily on their right brains – the source of their creativity
Because of that many of the following statements will apply to you.

Even whole-brainers (those who operate equally from both hemispheres) will recognize themselves in it, but are often tempered by the
logical, stabilizing influence of the left brain.
The right-brainer is able to compare and combine two things that
are not usually related. The creative mind is not limited by normal
boundaries, and therefore, can see relationships that aren’t obvious
to others. The right-brainer sees abstract concepts and then is able to
express them in concrete terms.

The right-brainer has a strong appreciation of art. The assumption is,
that creative people always ‘create’ art. That is not the case. There are
careers for people who appreciate the arts.

Piero Lissoni: “Een stoel is voor mij even belangrijk als een toren.”

Right-brainers tend to have rich and vivid memories. Right-brainers
are able to remember faces and places, but aren’t so hot at names and
titles. They retain images better than words. They remember
themes and scenes from movies, but not the names of the actors or the
director. The right brain remembers feelings – good and bad.

Right-brainers appreciate nature and have the ability to find beauty
everywhere. Creative people desperately need to stop and smell the
flowers. Or hear the sounds of the sirens. To keep in touch with life and
beauty, their super sensitive senses trigger their creativity. Creatives
respond to their surroundings. It is a blessing and a curse to be tuned in.
Being creative sometimes means, being lonely in a crowd. When I start
talking about intuition and inspiration, with other than creative people,
they stare at me.
Right-brainers welcome challenges. They are able to see the big
picture and tackle problems on a total story scale. They use intuition,
rather than facts and figures, to find new and better solutions. Although
right-brainers may be in touch with trends, they’re more likely to start
trends. They are leaders, not followers. They are flexible. Passionate.
When it comes to getting their ideas come true, they are relentless.
Creative people have the pioneering spirit that it takes to do things
differently, regardless of the grief that they may take from (and give to)
others. They are eager to go where nobody has gone before. The great
unknown is more interesting and inspiring than the safe and secure. It
is intoxicating to be involved with an idea on the ground level. The early
stages of the creative process are magical, where anything is possible
and reality is way off in the distance. (Then, the left brain enters the
story and ruins all the fun.)

Right-brainers are open-minded and less prone to prejudice.
Creatives often have high ethical and moral standards. Gray
matter thinkers, in a black and white world, often see more than
one correct answer and maybe even more than one question.

The Weak Traits

are not so weak

Right-brainers feel things more deeply than most other people do.
That’s why they create. To express what they are feeling through their
work. Right-brainers are impulsive. That live-for-today attitude and
‘being in the moment’ works for the storyteller in them. But, to succeed,
they’ve got to give some thought to the future. There can be long-term
consequences, when they play now and pay later.

For right-brainers, all play has a purpose – it’s fun. This attitude makes
them seem immature. Left-brainers like rules, a purpose and a plan,
even for play – and worse, they need a reason to do it. Right-brainers
tend to be sloppy. Not disorganized, just not organized in a way an
uptight left-brained person would like them to be. Many creatives feel
neatness is a waste of time.

Divergent thinkers often go off on tangents, and are frequently seen as
scatter-brained. It’s hard to concentrate, when you’re not inspired or
interested. It takes discipline to get started and stick with the business
side of creative business. Creatives can work harder than anybody if
they find something they love to do. They just have a hard time learning
to love math, taxes, regular business hours, and client follow up.

Right-brainers are particularly vulnerable to the ‘they are going to
find me out any minute’ syndrome. They may be confident about
their work, but not about them-selves. Insecurity often rules them.
Alcoholism, drug addiction, depression – all are very real dangers for
the right–brainer.

Leaping ahead, seeing the big picture, creatives lose those people who
want to take it step by step and see things in black and white. Sometimes this makes them angry. Right-brainers spend a lot of time dealing
(or not dealing) with frustration.

Although right-brainers aren’t necessarily self-destructive, they are
prone to overindulgence, which can lead to the same thing. Rightbrainers’ high ideals make them inflexible. Creatives often expose a
dark side to the world. Right-brainers procrastinate. Right-brainers
don’t like to be told how to do it.

As you can see, for every so-called negative trait of creative heroes and heroines, there is a positive side as well.

Questionnaires
With stories of creative heroes and heroines from Amsterdam,
who make their money doing what they love.

Alette van Zwieten

What is my greatest passion?

Film making.

Losing my loved ones.

I have a creative way of thinking.

Wanting too many things.

Earning money by making my own movies.

Losing everyone.

My neighbour’s cat. He has an incredibly large garden and endless rooftops
te climb on.

At the moment, I am making a documentary on the birds of paradise of ‘The
Amazing Agency’. I find them very inspiring.

I have worked at the ‘Veem Theatre’ for a while, an amazing industrial establishment alongside the water. Many creative professionals work there.

I love to eat at ‘MKZ’ where you can get a three-course vegan menu for just 5
Euros. There’s even a garden to sit in.

I have only slept in one hotel of my city, but that wasn’t that charming as it
concerned a commercial chain.

What is my greatest fear?
What is my best quality?

What is my greatest pitfall?
What is my ultimate dream?

What would be my greatest misfortune?
Whom of my city would I like to be?

Who is my favourite heroe of my city?

What is my favourite place to create, in my city?

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?
What is my favourite hotel, in my city?

Freelance Documentairemaker - Aardige Man Films - www.aardigeman.nl - E alettevanzwieten@gmail.com

Anne van Engelen


Media | Communicatie | Sports - The Bootcamp Club - E annevanengelen@live.nl

How would my dream work environment look like?

My ambition is to succeed in life, to keep challenging myself and to keep
pushing my boundaries.

A beautiful modern interior, warm and cosy. An inspiring and creative environment. Of course, always filled with fresh flowers and candles.

That I won’t be able to push myself further in life and to not be able to learn

every day. I love to do so many things and I want to improve myself every
day.

A beautiful modern interior, warm and cosy. An inspiring and creative environment. Of course, always filled with fresh flowers and candles.



I always try to bring across my enthusiasm and positivity.

What is my biggest challenge towards becoming more organized?

To think about what I really want in life and to make choices.

My wide range of interest. I like so many things and I am quickly enthusiastic
about something. Therefore, I am not specialized in one thing.

My career. I love to do too many things and have a strong urge to learn. At
the moment, I am figuring out what I want. My impulsive character en enthusiasm makes me go all over the place.

I want to succeed in my work and to end up in an inspiring, creative and educative environment. A place where I love to got to every day.


To think about what I really want in life and to make choices.

I would like them to feel at home. I should be a warm and cosy place, where
people can be themselves.

Creative places. Especially beautiful hip coffee places are ideal. At the moment, I am writing at the ‘Coffee Company’, which is located at the ‘Waterlooplein’ or the ‘Yoghurt Barn’ in the ‘Pijp’.

I want to make it in life. I want to enjoy the benefits of years studying by excelling in my work and end up in the right place.

I love to go to the ‘Huyschkaemer’ in the ‘Utrechtsestraat’.

To be organized is important and it could help with pursuing my career path.

I dream of spending a night at the ‘Amstel Hotel’.

It could help me set up a career path. Although, having the future ahead of
me with all options open, suits my impulsive character.

It hasn’t.



What do I want people to think when they enter my house or company?
What do I want in life?

How would being more organized improve my personal/professional life?
What would I be able to do if I was more organized?
How has being less organized effect me?

If could organise one thing better, waht would that be?

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?


What is my favourite place to go shopping, in my city?

The ‘Utrechtsestraat’. Close by and you can find many special boutiques the re.
How do I make money doing what I love?

By working at a comfortable place, with good and motivated people. A place
where I can be creative and where I can challenge myself. A place where creativity is in the air.

Diti Asiag Berrevoet

Different Angle - www.fromadifferentangle.com - E different_angle@kpnmail.nl


What is my idea of perfect happiness?

Business wise, I don’t like speaking in public, I’d like to work on that.

Politics! I studies Political Science thinking Politics is my path in this life, only
to find out its business! Next time.

Watching people at the ‘Rembrandtplein’. Many times I spend an afternoon
there, sit on the grass writing down ideas I later translate into an action plan.
The city inspires me, at times in mysterious ways…

Amsterdam has so much to offer in terms of food and night life so it’s tough
picking out just one place but if I had to:Sushi at Sumo, drinks at Momo and
club Abe.

My favourite hotel is the Conservatorium hotel in Amsterdam.

There is a brand I’d like to work with in the future called Effio. They are young,
innovative and trendsetters in my view. They design quality outside the box
socks, giving a lot of attention to details, colour and design that I can relate
to. They also focus on being green and environmentally friendly.

I’m in the process of writing two books which I hope to complete by the end
of this year at the latest. One is a children’s book and the other is a professional guide book.

My biggest passion is to reach the goals I set out for myself. Working with
people in general and specifically through marketing is another, connecting
people to products or a service in the right way is something I truly enjoy.

I believe happiness comes from within; it is not depended on others but on

us. When you listen to your gut instincts, you find the path that will make you

happy. For me, it’s always about the freedom to be me, being able to do “my

thing my way” while helping others. That’s what makes me happy and com plete.

My biggest fear is loosing my freedom to live my life the way I want to. I never want to loose control of me, managing my own time, goals and agenda.

The challenge of thinking outside the box! And getting my clients to where
they want to be.

What is the best thing that I love about my work?
On what occasion would I lie?

I’m the type of person who tells it directly as I see it however, the only time I

would consider a little white lie would be to spare someone’s feelings; if I’m

convinced nothing would be gained for him or her from knowing a certain
fact.
What is the influence of role models, in my work and in my life?

I have always been inspired by business people who have made it on their
own but never forgot where they came from and give back. People that money is not the only objective to them. One of them is Lord Alan Sugar.

I don’t like thinking & working in templates or formulas so to speak and marketing has many of them. My creativity & ideas come in a non-formal/traditional way.

My proudest moment professionally was when I launched my first ever marketing campaign when I was just starting out in 1996. We just opened a chain

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

of American car washes in Israel. I was nervous about it since it was my moment to shine only I had no experience to rely on still; it went national after
two days!

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Should I reincarnate, what would my profession be?



Whom would I like to work with in the future?

What project, in the nearby future, am I looking forward to work on?

Inge Snijders


That is hard to explain in words. You, as the reader, the individual in the mass
with his or her story, conflictions and struggles. This is where my passion for
acting comes from as well as the urge to make films and documentary’s.

To live an unlived life.



“I can’t do it.” Like, when I was asked to contribute to this beautiful concept

of a travel guide. Why the hell me? Why would anyone want to read about
me?

To make various movies and to achieve international success, within the next
few years. As an actress, as well as a filmmaker. Only the thought of accomplishing this puts a huge smile on my face.

When it turns out that my efforts have all been in vain, that would be my
greatest misfortune. I almost graduated from med school, but decided to
become an actress and a documentary filmmaker. This change in course resulted in a lot of resistance from my close circle (of friends and family). In
comprehension. My biggest misfortune would be if I were to listen to my
pitfall, by not taking any chances and for my deepest fear to come true.

I would like to experience a day in the life of Joop van den Ende. Is it lonely
at the top? Or, is he surrounded by people and living the life we, ‘down here’,
can only dream of?

Without a doubt, the King (or Hero) of Dutch filmmaking, Paul Verhoeven.

Across the water, the ‘EYE’ (NDSM), because of the many possibilities and
creative input. ‘Noorderlicht’ is also a really nice spot to clear your mind. Not
in the mood to sit at the waterside or is it just too cold? Then, you can find me
at the ‘Westerpark’. For instance, at ‘Pacific’, with a mixed crowd, relaxed
ambiance and a fire place.




What is my favourite place, in my city?

www.ingesnijders.com - E info@ingesnijders.com


I don’t really have a favourite hotel. I think, little Bed & Breakfasts, in people’s

homes, are more charming. You can often find them on a special location,

with personal contact and every time experiencing a different stay.
(www.bnbair.nl)

Right in the centre of a mixed crowd, open to spontaneous encounters, or
alone and just observing.

Marga Douma-Alta


Douma-Alta Foundation for International Art Projects - www.douma-alta.com - E marga@douma-alta.com


For me, dancing is living! This is why I fill my days with creating choreographies, teaching dance and directing productions, all in which dance is
central. Even in the period when I was physically challenged and the doctors
had told me that I would never be able to dance again, the art of dance gave
me the strength to overcome this. I wrote a book on the history of Jazz dance, in The Netherlands: Jazzdance.nl. Herewith, I made my comeback into
the world of dance.

‘Hans van Manen’. I have a huge respect his work ethic, his enterprising spirit
and his sense of humour. It all expresses in what he does and I hope to be as
fortunate as he was, to be active in dance until my late eighties.

Laetitia Griffith’ and ‘Lenette van Dongen’. Two strong women, whom I admire for everything they stand for.

There are no misfortunes. Sometimes, life takes a different course, contrary
to what I had in mind. I evaluate the situation and calmly think of ways to
achieve my goal.

My family is my anchor in life. Therefore, my deepest fear is that harm will
come to them. Nevertheless, that fear will not be allowed in my daily life.
I strongly believe that’s a waste of time. Fear is a negative emotion, which
hardly a chance on a positive outcome and is counterproductive.

The dance studios of the ‘Art & Entertainment College’ at the ‘ROC’, in Am
sterdam. They are located on the sixth floor of our beautiful new building,

across from the ‘RAI’. During my classes, I am overlooking the ‘Zuid-As’. Cho
reographing, with the skyline as my view, gives me an ultimate feeling of
freedom.

My happy personality and entrepreneurial spirit. I always tend to see opportunities. Where others would give up, I seem to get energized and go full
steam ahead. There is nothing more satisfying than finding a way to achieve
your goal. I love doing that, in collaboration with others. Herewith, my only
condition is: there should be laughter!

My mind is stronger than my body. I can completely exhaust my body, but
mentally, I won’t stop. Fortunately, the people who I love watch over me and
make sure that I take my rest.

My ultimate dream has come true already: to earn my living with dancing. I
earned my first money with dancing when I was 16. Now, 30 years later, I still
make a living with dance by teaching, directing and as a choreographer.

What is my greatest misfortune?


Who are my favourite heroes of my city?



Restaurant ‘Noorderlicht’: www.noorderlichtcafe.nl. Overlooking the water,
near the fireplace with a big bowl of soup, and a good glass of wine. Yes, I am
a happy woman there.

The ‘Art’Otel’: www.artotels.com. I love the balance between luxury, art and
design in this hotel.


Margreet Kramer

Margreet Kramer Beeldende Kunst - www.margreetkramer.nl - E margreetkramer@xs4all.nl


Infinite research (observe) and catching the images on tape.


Getting my website developed more quickly.

That I will loose my sight.

I am not tight to a specific place. It could come to me at any given time and
place. I mostly get inspired while being in the city.

My perseverance.

Restaurant ‘Bird’ at the ‘Zeedijk’.

My memory.

I rarely go shopping. I really don’t like to shop.

Maybe, to once again live in New York or Paris, for a few months.

This house/gallery is special and that people can feel at home, just like me.

Partially by perseverance and hard work. By doing what is essential to me in
life. Have courage and a bit of luck. This hasn’t always been a wild success.
So, having a job on the side is often necessary.

I would like to take on and develop many art projects. Herewith, to be organized is essential; a good balance between putting in effort and relaxation
will help.

thinking part and the execution of it. Check lists and a lot of writing will help to
achieve this.

I would have more time for visiting art shows.

I think that this is a far too heavy word and approach.

A class room in an old school building where multiple artists are working.

To create more clarity in my head. Herewith, my efficiency will increase.





As an artist it is key to have a good balance in the art process: the creative





Milou Verbeke


Writing and literature. As long as I can remember, I have been active within these fields. The past
years, I have been drawn to the entrepreneurship, becoming my own boss. The combination of
my passion for writing and the need to entrepreneur has lead to the foundation of F.A.L.L. Magazine. It’s a magazine in which I can express all of my ambitions.


I once read the quote ‘keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspirations with others’. Of
course, I have my fears, but I have a positive attitude in and towards life, in my daily life as well
as in F.A.L.L. Magazine.


My impulsiveness. It gave me the courage to start F.A.L.L. Magazine and to take on other challenges; possible risks don’t scare me off. It’s funny, because some people would describe this as
my worst characteristic; my friends and family could tell you a story or two.


Well, that impulsiveness also has its downsides. I don’t always think twice about something,
before I act. Next to that, I have noticed that I am frequently too soft for the harsh business
world. A certain ‘naiveté’ and the need to be liked, has resulted in bumping my head a few times.
Although I know, that I will never be a tough (and cold) businesswoman, I have learned from my
mistakes and I hope, that in the future, I will find a balance between likeable and businesslike.


Break through with F.A.L.L. Magazine on an international level and to be known as THE platform for new and upcoming talent. A place where unique creations are born between fashion,
art and life style. Where both the magazine and our online portfolio ‘Sharing your talent’ are well
known phenomenon. A dream I am working very hard for to come true.


To not make it, due to the lack of financial resources, a bankruptcy would definitely be a major
blow. My team and I have worked very hard for it and it is always sad when you can’t get to enjoy
the rewards of it. But, even if it would happen, I have gained an experience that no one can ever
take away from me. After the first year of F.A.L.L. Magazine, I have learned and experienced so
much; the value of that can’t be expressed in terms of money.

F.A.L.L. Magazine - www.fallmagazine.com - E milou@fallmagazine.com


Matthijs van Nieuwkerk. A master in journalism and an excellent host, to whom I very much look
up to. ‘De Wereld Draait Door’ is already broadcasted for years and still, his show is never boring. A few months ago, I got to meet him, when a colleague and I went to the editorial office of
the show. I handed my magazine over to him and he immediately was very enthusiastic. He gave
us a tour through the recording studios! Afterwards, we drank a cup of coffee together. We spoke of this experience for weeks after.

Who are my favourite heroes of my city?

Nalden (Co-founder of We Transfer) is definitely on my list of heroes. I have a big admiration
for his entrepreneurship and work ethic. Hanna Bervoets is on it as well. She is an incredible writer and I like her as woman as well. Last February, I invited her to the launch of F.A.L.L. Magazine
and she was very enthusiastic. Finally, my partner and best friends could not be missed on that
list. They support me in truly anything; before I make any important decision, regarding F.A.L.L.
Magazine, I discuss it with them.

On a Sunday morning, I often go for breakfast with friends at ‘Le Pain Quotidien’. The French
toast there is phenomenal and the service is good. A week ago, I have been to the fish restaurant
‘Stork’ for the first time and I have eaten the most amazing lobster I ever had. The restaurant is
located in an old warehouse and you can sit on the waterside. They also have a really good version of my favourite dessert; cheesecake with strawberries.



Although it has not opened yet, the ‘Art’Otel’ is my number one hotel on my wish list. Two
months ago, I had the privilege to take a look inside and it was already very impressive. The hotel
manager, Dirk Beljaarts, is extremely kind and spoke of the hotel with great enthusiasm; the
unique rooms (with outspoken manifests on the carpet), the gallery, the bar and the restaurant.
I definitely recommend it to spend a night there or to have a meal in the restaurant.


That would be the ultimate office of F.A.L.L. Magazine. A big and inspiring space in the centre of
Amsterdam, where not only the team of F.A.L.L. Magazine will be established, but other talents
can come and work as well. I have only two primary conditions. One, a whole wall should be
stacked with books. Second, fresh meals should be prepared throughout the day. If this would
become a reality, I would never leave the office!

Nikki Sterkenburg

Onderzoeksjournalist Elsevier - Weekblad Elsevier - E nikkisterkenburg@gmail.com


label Esprit in San Francisco, sailed around the world for a year and exploited a facility at the
beach of ‘Zandvoort’ for years. This man is a rock star and positivity guru in one.


My favourite heroine in Amsterdam would be Corine Leegwater of ‘YogaYatra’. She traded her
tough corporate career for a life as a yoga teacher. She teaches workaholics, like me, to let go.
From a journalist perspective, I would have to mention my former chefs (and mentors) Wouter
Laumans and Willem Uylenbroek, who kicked me out of the office as much as possible, when I
was a rooky. They taught me that the stories in Amsterdam where there for the taking. (Not in
the ‘Coffee Company’, but in café Waterlooplein.)

Storytelling. When I was younger, I always wanted to become a singer or an actress. Eventually,
I became a journalist. It is actually quite the same; you talk to people, try to imagine oneself in
somebody else’s situation, look closer into affaires, owning it en presenting it to an audience in
a self chosen form. It’s great to be that focussed on and dedicated to big projects and to mingle
in worlds that would normally be closed to the outsider.

To not be healthy anymore. I am physically pretty strong; rarely sick, quite mobile and full of
energy. I don’t need much sleep and that can often come in handy, considering the long hours
that I make. I would be crushed if I would not be able to dance on the beach anymore, or to ride
a bike through the city. Or, if I need to think ten steps ahead, before I can go anywhere.


My discipline, without a doubt. Anyone who has discipline can learn anything. I can set my mind
to something quite easy, whether I am in the mood for it, or not. Next to that, it’s quite helpful
that I am able to completely focus, when there is a deadline to meet. When I am working on a
project, I hardly need to push myself to get to work.


I can be completely absorbed into my own world. Especially when I am working on a big story, I
can loses myself in it and forget everything and everyone else around me. I can get pretty isolated and think of every appointment, that is not work related, as a waste of time. I am surprised
about what great friends I have, that can cope with this very well.


To always stay as happy and grateful, as I am today. Surrounded by great people and days filled
with making beautiful creations. I also hope to ride my horse as long as possible. Galloping
through the woods, jumping over trees and splashing through the water.


My greatest misfortune would be the day that my parents die. I am 29 years old, but I would not
know what I would do without them.


I would want to be ‘Tom Moncho’, owner of ‘Bagels & Beans Detroit’, located at the ‘Veemkade’
and the most cheerful bartender of Amsterdam. I don’t know anyone else who had such rich and
full life; he was present at the first Woodstock in 1969, fulfilled a high position at the clothing



‘Bagels & Beans Detroit’, located at the ‘Veemkade’, would be my favourite place to be creative.
Not only because of the inspiring owner, but also because of the amazing view that is overlooking ‘The IJ’. I have studied in Venice, for six months, and the view at this location reminds me
of the Grand Canal.


I love to go to ‘Pompadour’, located in the ‘Kerkstraat, because of the delicious coffee and the
excellente sandwiches. For dinner, I love to go to restaurant ‘Italia Oggi’, located in the ‘Binnen
Bantammerstraat (near the ‘Nieuwmarkt’), run by a very sweet Italian family. They serve the
most remarkable and authentic food accompanied by a good quality red house wine.


That would be the ‘Lloyd Hotel’, where you can wander around and because it has so many little
corners, there is something new to discover, each and every time. On the terrace, you can always find a spot to sit and the fries aren’t that bad either.

Odette Schoonenberg


Life and to enjoy every bit of it. Life is so great and offers numerous opportunities. The only
thing is that you need to see it. Everything that I do, I do it with passion. Although creating and
writing is probably my biggest passion, at the same time, entrepreneurship is in my blood.


This would probably be sound weird, but I know no fears. From my perspective, fear is a useless
and not necessary emotion. Nothing good has ever come of it. To not walk through a dark alley
in a dubious city is wisdom and does not need to be based on fear. Too many people let fear lead
them in life and herewith miss out on its opportunities. Believe me, then, fear is your biggest
enemy!


That is a tough choice between gut and empathy. My will and gut takes me higher and further
in life. Nevertheless, my altruist attitude, as well as my sincere wish to be the best person that I
can be, is probably the one thing that is most important to me.


I do not even think about this. It’s a waste of time. Nothing more than the inner motive to want
and to do everything. As a result of it, I sometimes wish that I could clone myself so that I can
work a double day shift. Simultaneously, making pictures of butterflies in a remote area, run my
company, work in my vegetable garden and write six novels, while I am organising a big event.


My ultimate dream would be a world, in which everyone truly lives, and is pursuing his or her
passion. A world, in which people are learning to see the beauty in everything and enjoy the
amazing universe with the utmost admiration, day and night, At the same time, a world in which
everyone is allowed to be him or herself, can be him of herself and dears to be him or herself.


I have seen and experienced pretty much everything. And, believe me, that fear is long gone.
The only misfortune, that I would consider of any importance, would be a to face a physical
challenge. A permanent handicap that would limit me in doing what I want.


I have seen and experienced pretty much everything. And, believe me, that fear is long gone.
The only misfortune, that I would consider of any importance, would be a to face a physical
challenge. A permanent handicap that would limit me in doing what I want.

So PR - www.so-pr.com - E odette@so-pr.nl


I don’t know any specific heroes. Everyone is a hero, how big or small he/she might be. Everyone
who is putting him or herself out there, pursuing a passion and is doing what he or she loves to
do. Yes, we can all be so lucky to live in a city full of heroes, a city that offers the possibility to be
free and to live as we please, regardless of where we come from. That is wealth.


My favourite place to be creative is my living room office in the showroom of So PR. I love to
hang out in my hammock chair on the balcony, between the floating vegetable gardens, that
grow en bloom, while birds are whistling. Actually, I get inspired everywhere. Sometimes, I find
myself wandering around town, aimlessly on a journey of discovery.


I love ‘Paloma Blanca’, a Moroccan restaurant in de ‘Jan Pieter Heijestraat’. The owners Zora and
Mohammed are such passionate people with a warm heart, who run their restaurant with so
much love. They serve delicious and fresh meals. It feels like coming home when entering their
establishment. Afterwards, I like to go for a drink at the ‘Golden Brown’ bar, in the same street.
I have high respect for the entrepreneurship and wilfulness of the owner Waldi. Next to that,
I love to go to the ‘SkyLounge’, located in the ‘Double Tree Hilton’ next to Central Station. The
service is phenomenal, the food is divine and the view… wow, the view. Yes, that is Amsterdam.
The city at your feet from a extraordinary terrace. WOW! ‘Kanen bij’ is of a whole other calibre,
but it is amazing with the rolling kitchen initiative of the ‘Eatery’. Founder Titus Gorissen is an
amazing and passionate person, who just like me, is doing what he wants to do, regardless.
Amazing!


‘Hotel Vondel’ in the ‘Vondelstraat. In the mean time, various new hotels have opened their
doors. But, I have witnessed the passion and love for the hotel business of owner ‘Arjen van den
Hof’, from the beginning on. It expresses itself in every little detail, form corner to corner. Fun,
cosy, stylish and warm - what else could you ask for?

How do I make my money?

I make my money with So PR; my fashion, lifestyle, beauty and PR agency, which make me
happy every day. With over 80 accounts and a wonderful team of 12 amazing people, with each
their own personal touch. So It Is, my youngest love, concerns an import business with beautiful,
fair and unique products. Next to that, I am a freelance journalist, just because I can’t help myself. It is that much fun.

Pauline van Aken

Boeiend Presenteren - www.paulinevanaken.nl | www.boeiendpresenteren.nl - E info@paulinevanaken.nl





Life and to enjoy every bit of it. Life is so great and offers numerous opportunities. The only thing is that you need to see it. Everything that I do, I do it
with passion. Although creating and writing is probably my biggest passion,
at the same time, entrepreneurship is in my blood.

My deepest fear is that my life ends too soon, just when I am in the middle of
it and enjoying it. That it will not allow me to physically be with my partner
and that our children en future grand children will grow up without me seeing
and experiencing it.

I never judge anyone, are open minded towards new encounters and get to
know them with sincere interest, by asking them the right questions to get a
good picture of the person with his or her life story.

I tend to proceed with such enthusiasm and passion, while working on a project, that it sometimes can be a pitfall that I exceed my physical boundaries.
I need to listen to the signals of my body, more often.

My ultimate dream would be that everyone becomes fully aware of the way
we effectively and positively can be in contact with each other. Awareness of
the fact that a loving communication, from a sincere interest towards each
other, is of the essence.

My greatest misfortune would be that I no longer can do and be of meaning,
like I do now. As a human, a partner, a mother, a bonus mother and as a
grandmother, in the future.

I have no idea… I have never thought about this before, because I was never
thinking about whom else I would like to be. Even now, it doesn’t reveal itself
to me. I’m sorry.




I don’t have any specific heroes in Amsterdam. I believe that someone is a

hero when he or she is living life from the heart and with passion, works and

communicates with respect. It may sound crazy, but I can’t think of some one.

My favourite place to create is the ‘Vondelpark’, with a view on the big fountain. Or, on a roof terrace overlooking the city. Just like in the past, when I
was living on the Isle of Realen, with a view on the studio of Ans Markus. Or,
on a boat drifting through the canals of Amsterdam.

The Italian restaurant ‘Bellavista’, located at the ‘Johannes Verhulststraat 156
in Amsterdam. The vitello tomato is absolutely delicious and so are the wines. At ‘Café Winkel 43’, near the ‘Noordermarkt’, you can eat the most delicious homemade apple pie. Have a latte macchiato with it. How great is
that, after walking on the market on a Saturday or Monday morning?



I never have to book a hotel in Amsterdam, but I would recommend people

from outside of Amsterdam to stay at the ‘Mövenpick’. It has nice rooms,

great ambiance and an amazing view, overlooking ‘The IJ’. If you are looking

for a cosy and warmly decorated Bed & Breakfast in a manor alongside the

canal, I would recommend ‘Jacky O’. It’s located at the ‘Bloemgracht’ in Am sterdam.

Rosalisa Villa

RosalisaVilla - www.rosalisaVilla.com - E rosalisa13@gmail.com


My biggest passion is to keep creating and to keep inspiring. To create something beautiful that not only makes me happy, but others as well.


My deepest fear is to be abandoned or to be rejected on personal as well as a
professional level.


Unfortunately, they have passed away already. Ramses Shaffy and Percy
Irausquin.

I mostly value my authenticity. Obviously, other people influence me too as
well as cultures, trends and streams, but I always stay true and faithful to myself. If I were to do or make something in which I would not recognize myself,
it would not please me in any way or give me the satisfaction that I am looking for.

My favourite place to be creative would be a spacious white studio, with large windows and a beautiful incidence of light, overlooking the water. To be
able to see sunsets and sunrises and to hear birds whistling. Or, a small pier.
Or, a place where I can subside. Without any distractions from the city, but
not completely remote.

My perfectionism would be my pitfall. I have the neurotic urge to plan and
organise everything to the minute. Hereby, I tell myself that I am doing this
so that I will not loose my overview of things. This applies on a professional
level as well as on a personal level. Sometimes, it is better to go with the
flow, even if things aren’t going the way as planned in advance. Eventually,
this often results in something even more beautiful or better, because you al
low yourself more time to reconsider an idea. In that ‘extra’ time it is possible
to come up with better or more innovative solutions. So, take your time to
think it through.

Restaurant ‘The Red Sun’. Everything is really divine!

Considering the fact that I live in Amsterdam, I never have to stay at an hotel in Amsterdam. Nevertheless, I do know many hip and trendy hotels. If I
had to choose where to stay, I would definitely go for ‘Hotel the Grand’, because of its unique grandeur and ambiance. Or, for a complete pampering
experience, I would go to the ‘Amstel Hotel’ or the ‘Hotel Conservatorium’.

On a professional level, it’s to be successful, to be appreciated for my contribution and to gain brand awareness for all my work. This way, I could have
the privilege of choosing my projects, travel internationally and take on
dream projects in the most beautiful places of the world.

My greatest misfortune would be to not receive any credit from others, for a
project that I poured my heart and soul into. Another is, to not be able to
continue to do what I love.





This is quite a difficult question. I really wouldn’t know. You can’t just judge a
book by its cover. Everyone has his or her own path to follow.



Roya Hamburger


Making beautiful things.

Professionally? Having no projects to take on, not the right employer or receiving points of improvement at work that don’t make any sense.

I am very empathic.

Not being able to execute a plan or an idea.



Decorating the world with my work.


I want them to feel welcome.


I want to do what I love, my passion. Herewith, to be better organized is a
must. To make a plan of action in order to meet my objectives.


By being well organized, objectives can be met and that gives me a feeling of
satisfaction.

Build a brand and provide an income for myself.

Missed out on assignments.

A place where I can produce with a team of creative professionals.



Digital Artist - http://royahamburger.net - E mail@royahamburger.com


Putting my ideas on paper and setting up a plan of action. To meet my personal deadlines.

Writing an adequate business plan.


When I am overlooking the ‘IJ’, behind Amsterdam CS. It reminds of Rotter dam.

Pllek.

‘9 Straatjes’.

‘Hotel Conservatorium’.

I work on request.



Saskia te Dorsthorst

La Saskia - www.lasaski.es - E mail@lasaskia.es


Should I reincarnate, what would my profession be?

Tissue performer or something with body control. Being able to bend yourself backwards, effortless, and being able to smile while doing it.

Playing, sharing and beauty. Enjoy life with your whole heart. And of course,
laugh a lot.


At home and when I’m on my bike.

Fear is a bad advisor. It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear
never beginning to live’ - Marcus Aurelius.

The ‘Finch’ for tea and a sandwich, on a Monday and Saturday morning. Tapas at ‘Dos’ or another good Spanish restaurant.

When I surprise myself or when my work or others amaze me.

My perseverance and determination.

‘American en L’ Europe’, because of their authentic look. ‘Port van Cleve’ for
their beautiful counter in ‘Delfts blauw’. Art’otel, because of the great art that
they have on display and the wonderful people that work there.

Ignoring my intuition.

With people who take their responsibility and are playful. Working with Richard Branson to conduct creative and playful business. Singing with Anthony and the Johnsons.

That is something I try not to do, which makes life much easier. But, I would
lie in time of war, if necessary.

Mandela, Pipi Langkous, Tracy Emin en Martin Luther King.

Sometimes, I need to drag lots of stuff from one place to another.

While performing ‘One Love’ in all the countries I have ever been to.

Actually, nothing.

The performance of ‘One Love’ and the video’s of ‘I love You’. It’s the work I
am most proud of.

Trying to enchant people. Making them happy.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

What is the best thing that I love about my work?
What is the trait I most deplore, in myself?

On what occasion would I lie?

Which rolemodels have had the biggest influence on me?
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
If I could, what would I change about myself?
What is my greatest achievement in work?


Whom would I like to work with in the future?

What project, in the nearby future, am I looking forward to work on?

To a creative collaboration with Dorie and everyone who can relate to our

project. Performing ‘One Love’ in Japan, Iceland, Russia, the moon and be yond.

Stephanie Ocampo Cuervo


Freelance Make-Up Artist - Stephanie Visagie - www.stephanievisagie.nl - E stephanie.taal@hotmail.com


Make-up, what else! Therefore, I have become a make-up artist. I love to play
with make-up and bring out the beauty in people. It’s a true art. I cover a lot
of photoshoots for modelling agencies, magazines, commercials, fashion
shows, and such. To see your creation in a magazine, on the catwalk or on
television, it makes you proud! Every day, I’m learning (from myself and colleagues) and the fashion trends are always changing. Herewith, being a make-up artist is a very dynamic and challenging profession.

This question is hard to answer. I would like to be someone that coaches tho
se with a passion for make-up in order to help them grow in their develop ment.

To not be able to execute my profession would be my deepest fear. It will be
a nightmare if anything happens to my hands. I would not be able to be creative with make-up anymore and it obviously does mean the world to me. I
think that this is something that every make-up artist fears.


My strongest asset is my perseverance. Thanks to this characteristic I have
come a long way in life, even further than I could ever dream of. Perseverance
is really a must in the world of fashion. Giving up is not an option. I always
keep going. When I fall, I get up and try even harder. “Make up your mind &
mind your make-up”.

I often raise the bar too high. As a result, my expectations are way too high
as well and that can be very disappointed, at times.

New York! And I’m not talking about a short trip or a holiday, but to really
work there. It would by my ultimate dream to be working as a make-up artist
in New York, for magazines, fashion shows and big designers. Living and ex
periencing the real ‘Sex and the City’ life. I look up to those who made it there, because there are only a few that do. I often tell myself “One day”. It’s not
that I am in a hurry. Maybe, I need a bit of luck and a lot of experience.

Hmmmm…That is a tough one! I have more than one. Of course, my loved
ones that passed away. The bad things that happen to those I love. Big or
small projects I missed out on. They’re misfortunes, but luckily, the small
ones do not leave a trail of severe or permanent damage.





It may sound a bit psychedelic, but I don’t really have any. I have had the honour to meet many ‘heroes’, whom I have worked with and still do. What
makes them heroes? They are determined in what they want to achieve with
their passion.

You would find me in one of the beautiful and spacious studios of Amsterdam. Another place I like to be creative is at one of the nice outdoor locations
around Amsterdam. There is so much inspiration to be found and you will
be overwhelmed with the new fashion trends in the make-up stores. Whenever I’m in need for inspiration or new products, I’ll hop in to check it out.

I always enjoy going to ‘Bling’, because of the ambiance and of what it radiates. It’s great to have lunch or to go for a night out. But, there are so many
bars and restaurants in Amsterdam. It is great and I love vary.

To be honest, I have never stayed at a hotel in Amsterdam. But, should I have
to, then I would love to stay at the ‘Fashion Hotel Amsterdam’. It is very appealing to me and looks super trendy, especially the sky bar.


Suzanne Blotenburg


Telling strong stories, on (digital) paper. Strong in the sense of powerful,
complete, honest and in the spirit of the subject.

My deepest fear would be to disappoint others and myself, for I’m a perfectionist. And of course, to face severe illness that could be terminal, but I
guess that’s a common fear.

Perseverance. Although the creativity has to come from my cynical toes, I
will persevere. I keep going until I am satisfied.

To go on safari with Nelson Mandela, in South Africa In the future, I would
like to conduct journalism in a place where it is of high additional value. In
places where the truth can’t easily be found or will rise to the surface. Where
nature or war has destroyed every infrastructure and facility needed to get
the truth out. Or, to address people in that place (in their own language,
fluently) and teach them how to find the truth, if there is one. Afterwards,
I would write a book about these experiences. And to top that, shoot my own
World press Photo for it. I want to be that noble and have an impact on the
world on such a scale, even if it would only be for a short period of time.

My greatest misfortune would be to not be inspired by the things that I do. I
find it very important that my work keeps amazing me. Even about the things
that are so obvious. It is one of the reasons why writing about entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs is so appealing to me. They keep amazing me, even
now that I am one myself.

‘Eberhard van der Laan’, for sure, to be the boss and leader of a city and to
be in politics. But, I would definitely like to walk in the shoes of unknown
people of Amsterdam. They often have a very special story to tell and know
their city very well. I would like to be a folk singer, to be able to see the cavern
of that nightlife. (Okay, I already know this). Maybe, be the captain of the





Freelance Business Journalist - @SuusNL - E suzanneblotenburg@live.nl

‘IJveer’, what a unique job is that?! Or, to be the neighbourhood mama in the
‘Bijlmer’, because she probably is the only one who knows what is really
going on.

The real people of Amsterdam, born and raised, those are my favourite heroes in Amsterdam. They are kind, but very direct. They have a bit of an attitude and at the same time hate such an attitude. They can yell at you in
traffic and tolerate the numerous suicide tourists on a bike, in their beautiful
city. And of course that lovely accent.

Amsterdam is really the most beautiful from on the water. It feels like a holiday and it clears your head in order to be creative. The bicycle is a good number two. When I arrived in Amsterdam, five years ago, I felt like a real ‘Mokumer’ when I was riding my bike through the city, for the first time. Finally,
unknown places are also great to be creative. A great thing about Amsterdam is, that after so many years, there are still nice places to discover.




There are a lot of places that I love to go in Amsterdam. Because they are fun,

it’s nice to eat there or serve addictive cappuccinos. ‘Schilders’ in the ‘Pijp’

for their Spanish red wine, ‘Djago’ in the ‘Rivierenbuurt’ for the best nasi ra
mes in town and ‘Tales & Spirits’ for their exciting cocktails. But, I mostly love

to discover new places, preferably not in my own neighbourhood. Recently,

‘Bar Spek’ in ‘West’ pleasantly surprised me and many more will follow, I
hope.

I don’t often sleep in a hotel in my own city. In fact, it has only happened
once. Fortunately, it was a pleasant and special stay, at ‘Het Altaar’ alongside
the ‘Amstel’. Hidden between tourist cafes and the ‘Rembrandtplein’, a small
residence is located there that served as catholic hiding church in the 18th
century. The mini church is still completely intact, beautifully restored for
two and all luxury available. Where once was the altar, now a king-size bed
has taken its place.

Sylvia Gerritsma

Kunst van Sylvia - www.kunstvansylvia.com



For a lovely lunch, I prefer to go to ‘Bakkerswinkel’, very nice sandwiches,
amazing carrot pie (you will not believe it) and beet soup are extraordinary.


I highly recommend ‘Het Conservatorium Hotel’ in Amsterdam! A beautiful
hotel in a monumental building. Wow!

For inspiration, I love to go to the ‘Noordermarkt’. But, also in the ‘P.C.’ inspiration can be found. Elaborating on my ideas and the real execution of it, I
love to do it in my studio.

Making money with your creativity isn’t always easy. With me, the pressure
is not that high, because we don’t have to live of it. This allows me the freedom to be creative. Besides my work in the studio, I also give classes in painting and drawing, at the European School in Bergen. I do this with all my love
for this art. All the stimulants of my surroundings will be used in my creative
process of a project. “In my work, I follow my heart. And so, I create with passion.”

My greatest passion is to let my creativity flow abundantly, in various ways
and with diverse materials. This expresses itself in my work. I create post
cards, pillows, paintings and illustrations, on and with various materials; oil
paint, ink, pencil and ecoline.

Waking up and feeling sick due to the smell of oil paint!

To always think in a creative manner, that would be the characteristic I most
value in myself. If it’s not regarding a painting, then it’s while cooking or
when solving a problem.



Time!!! I have so much more ideas than time to think them all through. Let

alone executing them. I keep bumping my head when it comes to time ma nagement.

My ultimate dream is to make as many people happy as possible, bring them
joy with my expressive stories and paintings.


My greatest misfortune would be not to be able to create with my hands and
eyes.

I would love to walk in the shoes of Erwin Olaf, just for a day, to see how he as
a photographer creates.

Everyone who has contributed to the renovation of the ‘Rijksmuseum’. And
of course, the Spanish architects Antonio Cruz & Antonio Ortiz, who have
restored the design of 1885 in an exceptional manner.




Trisha de Graaf


My greatest passion is being creative, by creating inspiring images through
photo styling. Also, by choosing the right clothing and accessory for my
clients. Herewith, I will emphasize their best features and make sure that
they feel beautiful and confident. It’s energizing for me to do.

The most beautiful creations are being born when working in a team. Sometimes, when an idea is born and takes it shape, or later, in the execution phase. My deepest fear is, that people stop creating together and are seeking
solitary, more and more.

I am always open to new influences, other cultures and love to learn from
other people.

There’s so much more to do and to experience. But, the days are too short!



My ultimate dream is to be inspired by other cultures in far away countries.

That, as a basis, can lead to the development of a creative and innovative
product.

I couldn’t find any inspiration for answering this question.

I would like to be an employee at ‘Laura Dols’, located in de ‘9 Straatjes’, just
for a day. I would love to wander around her establishment, surrounded by all
the vintage items and consulting people on their outfits with these remarkable items.

That would be the ‘old generation’, the ‘real’ people of Amsterdam. I love our
accent and the way that they talk about their city; I can really enjoy that.



Fashion Stylis - By Trisha - E trishadegraaf@live.nl


After an inspirational stroll around ‘Amsterdam-Noord’; cousin Louis, ‘van
Dijk & Co’ and the ‘IJhallen’. Laid back on the terrace with my sketchbook, at
‘Noorderlicht’ or ‘Pllek’, overlooking the ‘IJ’.

In the summer, my favourite place is ‘Café de Jaren’. Here, you can sit on a
lovely terrace alongside the water, with a view on the ‘Amstel’.

In hotel ‘The Exchange’, students of the ‘Amfi’ decorated the rooms. Each
and every room is unique. For instance, with big buttons, or large collars or a
beautiful dress of Marie-Antoinette!


The Hero's Journey Amsterdam. Making Money Doing What You Love.

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