Trying to find an equilibrium - and wondering what happens when you slip and fall.

February 16th, 2014, 11pm

It was 2°C with few clouds. The breeze was light.

I posted this picture a few weeks ago but hadn’t sat down to write the “story” about it. Truly because I knew it wasn’t as simple as it sounds. As you know I am working hard on my start-up company which offers advice to restaurants on how to cut costs through sustainable practices. I wanted something different and more practical, and this is why I ended up as an entrepreneur. But once you open that door, a world of possibilities reaches out to you. It becomes second nature to network, to brainstorm, to see and look for other possibilities and to imagine the bigger picture. It is truly amazing.

But I have now found myself in a strange position. This openness has also brought business in areas I did not imagine. A pilot project in Mexico for Food Waste Management, commissions for my art work and recently an amazing plan of opening a mezcal bar in Amsterdam. (I could go into detail in any of these because they are so fascinating, but that will be another sketch).

So here I am, on a tight rope, trying to find some kind of equilibrium with the things I have found. They are all possibilities and open doors - isn’t this being an entrepreneur? Or should I just keep to my original business and distance myself from the rest? Then again, if I do continue juggling and I do fall off this rope - what does that even mean? That I made a choice and plunged in, or that I failed?

It is a risk and constant uncertainty. But well, those are the key word when you decide to go “solo” - and truly, all I can say right now is: bring it on.


Adrian, Christine and Hadge said thanks.

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Aafke Mertens

Born and raised in Mexico City I moved to Amsterdam 7 years ago. Starting my own company and sharing my days with my dog and sketch book.

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