Wout Jan Wessels Boer explains how he leverages the power of Marktlink in his entrepreneurial journey in three ways: as a dealmaker, as a talent network, and as an investment opportunity that gives access to strong private equity funds.
You’ll find them in many Dutch households: the sandwich makers from Tristar, the fryers from Princess – household products from the Smartwares Group have been well-known for years. Wout Jan Wessels Boer helped grow the brand as CEO. And successfully so, as the group saw solid growth year after year. During this succesful tenure, his entrepreneurial spirit began to stir. At a certain point, the company had grown so large that it increasingly resembled a corporate entity. Wout Jan found himself spending more time in meetings than on actual entrepreneurship. He sold his shares in the group, together with his financial partner Arnold Bergsma, and they started Findyourgroup, a cluster of trading companies.
Findyourgroup’s companies operate in areas such as interior design, office products, printing, installation, and climate control for commercial spaces – essentially, everything a business needs in and around its premises. Findyourgroup focuses on family businesses. These can come from various sectors, but what they often share is a challenge around succession. Findyourgroup supports them with advice and shared services like administration and marketing.
It’s also important that the companies have sufficient growth potential. It’s precisely the realization of this growth that gives Wout Jan and his partner the most satisfaction.
Drive and Inspiration
According to Wout Jan, the biggest challenge is replacing the entrepreneur. The drive and inspiration a business is built on cannot simply be replaced by a random manager. That’s why Wout Jan spends much of his time searching for the right people. As his entrepreneurial journey progresses, he becomes increasingly convinced that the human factor is decisive for a company’s success.
Another way this human element comes through is in how the organization is managed. The partners at Findyourgroup use a holacratic governance model, a term that might require some explanation. This model strongly relies on the idea that every employee – from top to bottom – should have the maximum freedom to perform their role according to their own insight and experience. No top-down management, but a system in which employees are trusted and empowered to shape their roles. This also means management must create space for initiative and show that making mistakes is acceptable – because entrepreneurship inherently involves taking risks.
Ultimately, Wout Jan says, the goal is to avoid becoming a sluggish oil tanker, and instead operate as a fleet of agile speedboats. To succeed in such a model, they look for people with the right traits. Wout Jan distills them into three core characteristics: entrepreneurial, passionate, and genuine.
The Marktlink Triple
Marktlink supports Findyourgroup in three ways along their entrepreneurial journey. First and foremost, as a dealmaker: the gentlemen ended up at Marktlink because the first company they acquired, Europel, was introduced by a Marktlink dealmaker. And it didn’t stop there – Office Topper was also added to the group via Marktlink.
Secondly, Marktlink’s network is highly valuable. It offers contact with like-minded entrepreneurs, knowledge sharing, and warm connections for new ventures. Wout Jan recalls attending a Marktlink event – the car rally in Tyrol – where he met an entrepreneur who had just sold his business and was looking for a new challenge. That person, Mark Bos, eventually joined Findyourgroup as one of the working partners, now managing part of the group.
Thirdly, Wout Jan invests through Marktlink Capital’s fund-of-funds. With his extensive experience in private equity – both as an executive in PE-backed companies and through his own investments – he understands the sector well. That builds confidence. He shares his golden rule for investing: only invest in products you understand.
What’s Next for Findyourgroup?
So where is the Findyourgroup journey heading? Wout Jan has an exclusive scoop for Marktlink Magazine: with a smile, he reveals that their next step will likely be a return to household appliances. In this market – one he knows like the back of his hand – the Findyourgroup team sees several promising opportunities on the horizon. The joy of entrepreneurship shines through in the way he shares their plans. Watch this space!
MCart
We meet Wout Jan at one of his companies: MCart. This business is a signmaker – a company that produces signage, wayfinding systems, advertising displays, and more. It goes far beyond simple signs: using acoustic felt, eco-friendly cork, and a range of computer-controlled printers and plotters, the company produces high-quality items, from meter-long acoustic walls with colorful prints to displays.
The company is based just outside Rotterdam, amidst the shipyards and transport firms of the Alblasserwaard region. From the outside, it looks like a typical industrial building – one of many. But inside, it’s a vibrant and creative space. A true playground, say the signmakers working there. Every square centimeter is covered with the materials and colors that MCart uses, making the office and production space one big showroom for the craftsmanship MCart delivers.
The holacracy is evident in the work atmosphere: enthusiastic and dedicated makers speak with joy about the materials and machines they use.
