Woman in Business
Marie-Claire van BonBon on the Block
A well-known name in Rotterdam: BonBon on the Block. At least, if you're shopping for your own baby or for those of friends. But from now on with the cutest new owners and an online shop. That's why we're catching up in our Woman in Business with the brand new owner and partner Marie-Claire.
Name: Marie-Claire Moerkerk
Age: 32 years old (and my partner Rieke is 24)
Place of birth: In the Hoeksche Waard
In a relationship/single/kids: Son Mans is 2.5 and daughter Keesje is 4.5 years old. Married for 6 years.
Study: Communication Marketing
Job: Owner BonBon on the Block
Income: “We are not giving ourselves a salary in the first year. Rieke gets by with her modeling work, I can manage it together with my husband. It has to become a healthy business right away, get some fat on the bones, so everything goes back in immediately.”
Hours per week: 5 days, sometimes more and sometimes less.
BonBon on the Block, tell me...
“BonBon already existed. It was a cool children's store where you could really find distinctive brands. I received shoes from them with a card that said: ’We couldn't tell you when you were here, but would you like to take over the store?” I found it exciting, but I thought: fack it, I'm just going to do it, but only with someone. Rieke was my babysitter and I immediately thought of her. She's such a free spirit. Just because she's in her early twenties, she has fresh ideas, which makes a nice difference. She was in South Africa for modeling work, and then we had a drink via Facetime. We are co-owners and partners.”
How do you start your day?
“That depends a bit on the kids. My alarm usually goes off at 7:00 AM, that's either them or my iPhone. Get dressed, have breakfast, then I put them in front of the television for a bit, haha, and I quickly jump in the shower myself. On Mondays and Thursdays, Rieke and I first work out together, just for fun.”
What was your very first job?
“On weekends I worked at the Beehive and Tommy Hilfiger. At the Bijenkorf, I worked in lingerie, very attractive, haha. But I always found fashion super fun.”
Do you have a vacation policy?
“No, it is what it is. I just haven't had a vacation since BonBon went live and kicking. I have been away for a few days with my husband, and he is all about relaxation and turns off the iPhone. I struggle with that, but that's because it's all just too much fun. I have continuous contact with Rieke. It's just too fun to let go.”
Have you ever faced a prejudice in your work because you are a woman?
“No, never. I only hear nice things. At home, our division of roles was quite old-fashioned. I took everything on myself, which my husband was used to. That's different now, but it goes easily. I can't imagine that people still have prejudices about that in 2017.”
Do you prefer to work with men or women?
“I find that difficult. I only have Rieke around me, and she is not a typical woman-woman. I enjoy working and talking with men too; it's less complicated. But I'm not in a women’s nest. Sometimes I hear stories and think: give me men.”
Your favorite in the shop?
“The faux fur jacket from Mini Rodini in baby blue, my daughter has that one too, of course. The brand Bonheur du Jour has the most beautiful details and is of good quality. It's just a bit more unique. Stella McCartney has amazing dresses. But I can't choose. BonBon has brands from Paris, but also from Rotterdam that you don't know yet.”
Okay, enough chatting. Time to browse at BonBon myself, look here maar even.
