Initially aiming to follow in his father’s banking footsteps, he dropped out of his “banking and finance” studies to join an university where he could study, work and live in three countries in three years. Main reason for doing so was a fear of regret. The school currently ranks in the top 3 worldwide for the 4th year in a row according to the Financial Times.

After his studies, Gijs joined the strategy department of the then largest travel company in the world. Frustrated by their lack of focus on the Internet, he founded easyhome. Working with a 5 persons in a 20m2 office, he grew the company to 15.000 accommodations in 19 countries and a 3 languages website. The company was later sold through a management buy in.

He then joined Dell, where he quickly became Sales Operations manager for the Benelux consumer and small/medium business team. Later he returned to his Internet passion when he became responsible for half of Dell’s European online consumer sales.

In order to further strengthen his management skills and to build on his entrepreneurial experience he became country manager for StepStone, an online job board . He focused the company on high quality candidates, restructured the sales team, launched affiliate marketing, re-energized SEO & SEA and sealed partnerships with several leading publishers amongst which FD.

It was time for the trip of a life time. He left with a one way ticket to Tehran (Iran). After which he visited India, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, USA and several European countries. Notable experiences include joining an ashram, driving over 10.000 kilometers a scooter/motorbike in 3 countries, learning how to kitesurf and basic programming, becoming a certified advanced scuba diver, going to Burning Man (twice), hitchhiking on sailing yachts across the ocean. And meeting the woman of his dreams with whom he has two children.

Gijs currently works for NowInteract, responsible for launching their Benelux business.

Read more about Gijs’s business endeavours on his LinkedIn Profile.