Martijn Driessen – An Entrepreneur Scan to uncover your traits

Jane W. Business/Career, Entrepreneurial Stories 0

Today, everybody wants to be an entrepreneur. But do you have the traits that takes you off the 9-5 and turn on the engine?

Thanks to Martijn who developed such an intelligent system, which is scientifically proved, to see how well you can do, before you really make a move. I have invited him for an interview and see what is that about entrepreneur scan and how he started up this business as an entrepreneur himself!

Jane: Hi Martijn, can you tell us about yourself and your business?

Martijn: Hello everyone, this is Martijn Driessen here, and I am the founder and owner of Entrepreneur Scan based in Amsterdam, Holland. This Entrepreneur Scan, or we call it E-Scan, is a scientifically proven scan on your thinking, which helps to evaluate you against 10 key entrepreneurial traits, 4 thinking styles so as to let you understand more about your own strengths and weaknesses. Our research showed that 95% of people who tried out our product, had helped them understand more about what it took to be a successful entrepreneur. 85% said E-Scan had made them more determined to be a successful entrepreneur! Up to now, more than half a million startups and entrepreneurs have tried out our E-Scan.

This seems very interesting! What motivated you to start your own business?

Martijn: It all started out a thesis on entrepreneurship, that really caught my interest. This business idea spinned off from my Master Degree thesis of Business Administration and eventually my PHD thesis in Entrepreneurship. From all start ups about 50% fail within 5 years. And this is still the case as it was 20 years ago and it is more or less a global issue. So the business owner plays a crucial role in the success of his business, but the chances are low. So my main motivation and mission is to develop entrepreneurship worldwide.
.

How long have you been in your own business then?

I started out about 20 years ago during my last years of study. Entrepreneurship is seeing opportunities, exploiting them and creating value for yourself and for others. I saw a chance in bringing a powerful tool to the global market to achieve my mission in developing entrepreneurship, worldwide. We sell E-Scan in more than 10 countries, so we still have a long way to go.

What have you found to be your most effective way in finding the new clients?

Besides the normal stuff, the most effective way is by research. People found us and became enthusiastic in using our E-Scan. On the other hand we have achieved some strategic partnerships with chambers of commerce and a large bank that gave an exponential lift.

What is a day in the life of you like?

With an online product like ours, you can find me of course behind my laptop , iPad or iPhone. As a true pioneer I really like thinking off ideas. But as an entrepreneur I enjoy talking to our customers and meeting new people, that always gives new opportunities. Although I am happy with my highly motivated team, I dislike managing them. Hence I have found a way to deal with that.

What are the biggest struggles you have so far?

My biggest struggle was and is marketing. I have hired and worked with marketing managers and specialists, but I did not master this till now. Especially due to our expansion worldwide makes marketing even more challenging.

How did you handle the challenges that you encounter?

I have really learned to first look at myself and what can I do differently or not at all. Then I think of a strategy that completes me or my team. There is always an effective strategy thinkable, and this is the beauty of entrepreneurship in my opinion too.

How do you keep yourself motivated during the difficult times?

I have had setbacks: technical bankruptcy, death of a business partner and law suits because of – in the end – unreliable partners. These events can really put you back. But I always go back to the very reason why I have started and still I am running my business: my mission.

What will you recommend to those people who want to be their own boss?

Start with doing. It is because when you think too much, you may never start at all. Once you have started, think of better ways to grow your business and be true to yourself. So understand yourself. Once you’ve have found your pace, you get more confidence and then you will start and dare to dream big.

How do you see the “work-life” balance?

That ‘s a good one. True: not always in balance. But I always try to combine business with pleasure. And I really like working, so that’ feels different for me. Same goes for my girlfriend, thankfully. But from time to time I take a week off to do whatever I like and plan nothing, that really feels as freedom.

Thanks Martijn for his sharing and what I like most? It’s his quote here:

“Entrepreneurship is about seeing opportunities, reflecting upon them, and exploiting them by not only creating value for yourself but most of all, for others; that’s the big smile of entrepreneurship.” – Dr. Martijn Driessen