Splendeur! Limousines

In this student entrepreneur Michael de Vries talks about his business: Splendeur! Limousines. He describes the establishment of the company and he explains what is like to be a student entrepreneur having multiple companies. The interview is made in collaboration with Starterslift Tilburg, which is the center of Tilburg University for entrepreneurial students with great talent and ambition.

1. Could you briefly describe what the business involves and what it is trying to achieve?
We offer high end luxury transportation for weddings, gala’s, students, businesses and other leisure based activities in the area of Amsterdam-Nijmegen until Antwerp-Maastricht.

2. When did you come up with the idea of starting your own business?
In 2012 I realized and experienced that the limousine branch was outdated and not very active in Noord-Brabant. I saw an opportunity using my strengths in online marketing and started researching with the help of the Rabobank and the Gemeente Tilburg.

3. In what way has the company evolved since its inception?
Since I started Splendeur! Limousines in November 2013 with one limousine and me as driver and a simple website that was barely findable, we are now in the top 3 / top 10 search results all over the Netherlands offering more than 10 limousines thanks to our partnerships. We believe in strong partnerships offering win/win situations for all parties involved. Splendeur! can provide a nationwide coverage of limousines without owning all the limo’s. Last September we took over another limo company and we now have 2 company owned limousines, 4 pte’s drivers, 1 fte driver, 1 fte Apple Specialist and of course myself. Currently we are innovating with a new automated booking system that goes online around January saving me 30% of my time.

4. Can owning and running a business be combined easily with your studies?
It’s a real challenge to combine these things. Doing a minor Entrepreneurship at the TiU and a bachelor Archaeology while working 60-80 hours a week at Splendeur! Limousines, iService-Tilburg (Apple Repair Centre) and Tyvox.com (Apple hardware webshop) with multiple employees asks for a real professional schedule. It isn’t easy but it is possible if you set your goals straight.

5. What skills have you acquired during your studies that can be applied to your daily business activities?
Not many I can tell except what I’m learning at the Minor currently what is mainly focused on your presenting/pitching skills. I have learned many things myself by doing enough research and being confronted with different kinds of challenges concerning customers, employees, marketing, finances etc. The problem is that the things you learn at the university aren’t that important when you want to start a business.

6. Up to this point, what skills have you gained from the establishment of your business?
Very diverse set of basic skills, like accounting, website building, PR, delegating, pitching in front of large groups, aftersales, working under pressure and so much more. But the things I really learned to develop are being innovative, doing planning, making sales, online marketing and recognizing opportunities what is the most fun for me.

7. How do you see the future of the company?
A nationwide (and hopefully internationally) operating company with a platform for luxury travelling concerning the best and most exclusive private drivers, cars, helicopters, airplanes and perhaps boats.

8. Finally, what would you like to say to students who are also planning to start their own business?
The best time is to start while you’re studying. Money isn’t that important in this period and you can make mistakes without taking real life changing risks. You can live with the money you get from DUO and have the time of the world while studying and starting your own company. Don’t be afraid and take the plunge into the startup world with all your heart and passion!

General information
Founders: Michael de Vries
Study: Archaeology (Leiden) & Minor Entrepreneurship (Tilburg)
Company name: Splendeur! Limousines / iService Tilburg / Tyvox.com
Location: Tilburg
Employees: 4 PTE’s and 2 FTE
Activities: Limousine rentals & luxury experiences. (Splendeur! Limousines)
Apple device repair centre (iService-Tilburg)
Apple hardware and accessories webshop (Tyvox.com)
Website: www.splendeur-limousines.nl
www.iservice-tilburg.nl
www.tyvox.com