In 3 short stories
As a little girl, I had one dream. The one thing my parents would never give to me.
This one dream taught me a great deal.
I was so frustrated my parents did not support this. I was determined as soon as I was earning "adult" money, I would realize this dream. Until that moment, I did everything I could related to this dream.
Then my grandmother died and left me a small inheritance. I knew "This is my moment".
I looked everywhere for the right version of my dream: a young jumping horse, that I could train myself.
The moment I saw her advertisement online, I knew. The next day I stepped into my car and drove through the village where my grandmother used to live.
To me, that was a sign. This is her.
Sometimes, when you truly want something, you find a way.
If you want to start a business. GO for it. This experience gave me the determination I needed to never take no for an answer.
During my graduate study to become an environmentalist, I learned an important lesson during a period of depression: "I am more productive when I can work efficiently."
I knew I was not cut out for a standard office job...
Even so, I tried to push through it and worked 2 jobs as a civil servant, but they didn’t bring me any joy.
And then, I was diagnosed with anxiety... Sick again.
I needed a work environment that gave me freedom in time and finance. But that wouldn't exist if I didn't build it for myself.
To do that I had to let go of all my limiting beliefs about being an entrepreneur. The most important one: ‘I am not from an entrepreneurial family’.
I taught myself all the skills I needed to build this business: marketing, sales, course creation, necessary software, and finances.
I launched my business, with just my phone, a laptop, and a desire to get into the spotlight to help people make this world an awesome place.
In groups I always was the quiet one, the wallflower, observing but not truly participating.
"You are shy"
"You have to speak up"
Are sentences I heard often
My voice was soft, I blushed intensely when it was my turn to say something in a meeting or when I had to give a presentation.
I dreamed of being on a stage… To express my voice and my opinion. I wanted to inspire others.
I started voice lessons and joined the training to become an internationally certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) trainer.
NLP changed my life. I learned to take charge, to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and to change my limiting beliefs.
I discovered I LOVE to be the center of attention when I am prepared. I am great at teaching people how to improve themselves and have joy in what they do.
Is your name Dorien or Cornelia?
When I started my international brand I wanted a name everyone could pronounce.
I learned from living abroad that native English speakers often struggle to pronounce my name correctly. They tend to pronounce it "Dori-en", instead of how it should be pronounced "Doreen"
I don't like the English pronunciation so in English I use my second name Cornelia.
Did you grow up in an entrepreneurial family?
No, both my parents worked as civil servants. Their motto was: work hard to live a nice and safe life.
It gave me a drive to live my life differently. I didn't follow in their footsteps. It was my partner, who owns a tech company, who inspired me to take the leap
Why do you eat vegan?
As a student, I once attended a lecture in which the professor said: "After this lecture, you will all eat vegan"
Well, that didn't happen right away. After watching way to many documentaries about the effect of dairy and meat on our bodies and the planet, I started an experiment.
What would happen if I started to eat only vegan? Turns out, it's a personal growth challenge in many ways. And I love these challenges.
Now, I feel much more energized daily. How long will this experiment last? Maybe my whole life, maybe I'll quit tomorrow ;)
You can! A 30 minute appointment, costs €30,-
Chamber of Commerce: 80907032
VAT: NL003503348B82
