Hey Antwerpreneurs! 🦥 

Once a month, we bring you inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and business owners in Antwerp.

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Read time 4 minutes

🦥 Sloth Scoops

I was scrolling on Reddit the other day and saw this picture from the Nationaal Geografisch Instituut showing a landscape filled with orange dots in Belgium.

Apparently, Belgium is the country with the highest density of castles per square kilometer in the world, with over 3,000 scattered around the country. Now, it's worth mentioning that the term "châteaux" actually refers to a variety of buildings than just castles. It can include manors, villas, and even palaces. Still pretty cool, right?

Alright, enough about castles! Let's get to know our awesome Antwerpreneur...

✋ Antwerpreneur: Meet Bent Fierens

Bent is a young furniture designer who launched his brand last year. Initially, he struggled to believe in himself as a furniture designer, but he understood that self-confidence was essential for success.

His passion for furniture design started while working as a student in a furniture store. Bent wanted more than just helping customers choose the right pieces; he wanted to create those pieces himself. He was fascinated by the production process, and the ability to turn ideas into reality.

Although he still doubts his hands-on skills, prototyping during his studies gave him the knowledge he needed and helped him become more comfortable with heavy machinery.

Projects

FICCI and LOOPS, showcase his creativity and unique perspective. FICCI, named after the Latin phrase "Aedificium obstructionum" (building blocks), is a circular DIY furniture concept. Imagine puzzle pieces that can transform into various designs – chairs morphing into benches or stools.

LOOPS represents his desire to experiment and break free from creative limitations. The stool's hairy look was inspired by a lecture on the unexpected results of altering characteristics. Bent intentionally challenged the idea of comfort by placing the hairy elements on the legs and leaving the seat deliberately hard and cold.

If His Furniture Could Talk...

FICCI would say, "I'm designed for a purpose, use me well!", reflecting its practical intent. In contrast, LOOPS would make animal sounds, matching its whimsical design.

The Dream Project: Balancing Function and Art

Bent’s ideal design challenge is to find the perfect balance between collectibles and functional pieces. He aspires to blend his artistic expression with practical utility, creating objects that are both useful and imaginative.

Building a Business: Challenges and Growth

Like many entrepreneurs, Bent has faced moments of doubt — not about his vision but about the "how." Balancing his part-time job, personal projects, freelance work, and personal life is a constant challenge. Through his freelance work, Bent has discovered the power of word-of-mouth marketing, which has been valuable for his brand.

The Thrill of Achievement: Milan Design Week

Being selected for Milan Design Week was a defining moment for Bent. Initially skeptical after receiving no updates, he was overwhelmed with joy when the acceptance email arrived. It was a powerful validation of his dedication and talent.

Looking Forward: Aspirations and Influences

Bent dreams of establishing his circular furniture brand but he emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and growth. He draws inspiration and support from Atelier Overdruk, a vibrant place for designers and creatives who motivate and challenge each other.

Bent's Message

His parting message for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs is simple: don't let ideas sit too long in your head. Share your vision, discuss it with others, and take action. Believe in the power of manifestation and watch your dreams become a reality.

As he continues to break free from creative loops, we are excited to see the unique designs Bent will bring to the world of furniture.

Bent’s Recommendations

• People: Tom Hancocks

• Podcast: The Diary of a CEO 

• Favorite Spots in Antwerp: Vrijdagmarkt and In De Roscam

Connect with Bent

You can find Bent on Instagram and his Website.

Bent’s Question For Next Guest

Are you excited about a project you have for this summer?

💎 Quiz Question

What sparked designer Marcel Breuer's idea for the Wassily chair?

a. A deconstructionist art exhibit he saw

b. The lightweight frame and handlebars of a bicycle

c. The intricate joinery techniques of Japanese furniture

d. The ergonomic curves of the human spine

_{You can find the answer at the end}

🌴 Jungle Wisdom

Next month, we'll switch gears and feature an interview with a golf influencer and a politician. Stay tuned!

Pura Vida! 🦥 

Jose

P.S. Do you have an Antwerpreneur you'd like to see featured in a future issue? Reply to this email and let us know!

Answer: B

Marcel Breuer, the chair's designer, was riding his bike when he noticed the strength, flexibility, and lightness of the tubular steel frame. He envisioned using this material to create furniture and drew inspiration from the bike's form to reimagine the classic club chair with a focus on minimalism and functionality.

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