For me, the big change in my life started after my internship in Johannesburg. Just before I would return to the Netherlands my life took a new turn. I fell in love...

And no, it was not with one of my fellow interns. It was with a beautiful South African woman who had won my heart. Unfortunately I was soon to depart and go back to my cold little country and I had to leave my new found love behind for an indefinite period...

During the long period apart, we quickly realized that if we wanted to be together, we have to make a plan as it would not happen by itself. We had to find an alternative solution to walk our life's path independently of other people. For example, we came the the realization that by creating an entrepreneurship,  we were able to make ends meet without depending on others and regardless of location.

After about a year and a half of puzzling with visa's, passports, airline tickets and big losses in both of our families we sat together. It was as if we were destined to be there, at a seminar of Success Resources with speakers like Robert Kiyosaki, JT Fox, Peng Joon and Doug Nelson. This is where me and my life partner were introduced to the concept of direct response marketing via the internet. A skill set that we have developed and worked on over a period of time, to where we are able to earn independently irrespective of our location. Why is that important?

Because we want to decide for ourselves when and where we want to be, we love to travel and experience new cultures and thus this was the perfect set up for us.

However this was not yet the most special event of this seminar, there was something much more impactful that caught my attention. After the presentations, we got the opportunity to speak with Doug Nelson. So I asked him what a great industry would be to work in, as a young, ambitious and globally oriented person. He answered in one word:

"Energy"

Well, what to do with that information ...my mind began running in all different directions. 

Nowadays I believe in the concept of "energy" as a much broader and more complex term. I have a clearer understanding and knowledge  of the fact that everything in the world consists of energy and matter.  Back then I took what Douglas has said to me literally and started my journey as an independent party to buy and sell electricity and gas from suppliers for companies in the Netherlands. Since this was via the internet and telecommunications, we were immediately independent of location .... Goal Achieved?

As I recently learned from my new and dear friend, mentor and business partner Jef, life presents itself. In this case, during my search for an exponential acceleration for the energy transition, I met Jef Rijsdijk at a meeting of BNI (Business Network International). A passionate climate entrepreneur who is trustworthy and true in his cause to save the planet. 

At this meeting we shared our life stories, about the human potential and about the need for a more sustainable way of life for the planet and for mankind. You can read more below, Jeff and I have never been and probably never will be able to finish our conversation...