What is your business industry category or specialty? 
We offer our clients factory direct outsourcing and manufacturing services for Consumer, OEM and private label products. We produce a wide range of products in various industries. Home medical, Plastic parts, Fishing products, DYI, and many consumer products.

How do you describe your job to people outside the industry?
We help and provide our clients the tools to stay competitive from a cost prospective by sourcing products overseas.

Who are your main competitors and what differentiates you from the competition? What makes you unique?   
There are a lot of companies that do what we do. Our main focus is on small companies that source/buy up to 2 million a year. Our capability to consistently driving bottom line value for our clients is the main differentiator. We also have a strong focus on quality control and IP protection and the overall process that will help eliminate common mistakes.

How was the business started?

The business was started in 1998 by a group of people that were involved in event marketing (Ignition). Their need for large quantities of promotional products motivated them to start this company and open up an office in Shanghai. I bought the company in 2004.

How many employees does the business have?
5 employees

How did you end up in Atlanta? 
I met my wife Genevieve in a hotel lobby in Barcelona, she grew up in Atlanta so we ended up here, see link for the full story :
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html res=9F0CE4DB163EF93AA35756C0A9609C8B63&sec=&spon=

What is your number one business goal over the next year?
To invest in my own IP, instead of mainly producing for other companies I would like to own more of my own products. I hired a local organization called  GCMI (Global Center for Medical Innovation) to help us develop some new and innovative medical devices.

What is the best advice you have received regarding doing business with Americans/Dutch?
Over the years I have received so much advise that I wouldn’t know where to start, but one thing stands out, that deal making is all about, being creative and focus on providing a service or product that people really need. Stay focused on your objectives but be willing to change when needed. I love doing business with Americans, they have in general a “can do” attitude and nothing seems impossible and they move/decide very quickly. Being Dutch is mostly a fun talking point, and everybody knows how frugal we can be, so this plays well in my business as I am out there working the best deal possible for my clients.

Any other personal information you would like to share, e.g. hobbies, special interests, family etc…
My wife and I love travelling, explore new countries and cultures and meet new people. We enjoy great food, so preparing nice meals and entertaining is a big part of our lives. In order to get my Dutch fix, we spend about a month in Holland during the summer at our lake house, so I love to sail. I also play poker every Thursday with some good friends, when I am in town.