About Marcel Duits
Hello. I am Marcel Duits, an entrepreneur, investor, interim entrepreneur, and author. My passions lie in growth, entrepreneurship, Eastern Europe, transformation, and connecting businesses between Eastern and Western Europe. This website lets you learn more about who I am and what I have to offer.
Entrepreneurship:
I started my first business at the age of eleven. During my studies, I launched my first successful MBA comparison website, which I eventually sold. After a traineeship at Unilever, I founded Bye Bra, which was my first entrepreneurial success. My most recent successes are The Kickstart Company, Piju Zdrave, Dubrink, and Twife, which emerged as a direct response to the demand for my expertise in Eastern Europe.
Despite having an entrepreneurial spirit, I also feel comfortable in large organizations. Teams achieve more than individuals, and I enjoy being surrounded by people. Within large organizations, I can navigate complex structures and develop strategies that consider both entrepreneurship and the needs of a larger organization.
The success of Bye Bra:
Despite a secure position as a management trainee at Unilever, I followed my own path and started Bye Bra in 2011, the beginning of a success story. In less than eight years, Bye Bra became a global player in bra accessories and shapewear with sales points in 40 countries. In 2018, the company was acquired by an Italian investor.
Structure and Vision:
As an entrepreneur, I developed a structure and vision to start and achieve (international) business success. By making smart choices in business operations, I grew Bye Bra into a seven-figure business without any external investment. I enjoy steering companies by optimizing speed, time, quality, and costs and investing in the people within an organization.
Author of ‘Heino de Piraat’:
In addition to my business activities, I am the author of the children’s book ‘Heino de Piraat.’ The proceeds from this book go to charity, connecting my entrepreneurship to a social cause.
Business Advisor in Eastern Europe:
During my study, I developed a fondness for Eastern Europe. Currently, I live in Prague and regularly navigate through Eastern Europe for business and real estate matters, enabling me to efficiently serve companies in this region. I understand Eastern Europe’s local cultures and business dynamics and combine my expertise with a healthy Dutch entrepreneurial spirit, allowing me to assist companies with a wide range of services. I support companies with market research, networking, and the establishment of new foreign branches. One of my companies, The Kickstart Company, is the result of demand for my expertise in Eastern Europe – Bulgaria.
Companies approach me from Western Europe. However, I also frequently work for companies from Eastern Europe looking to enter the Western market. I build bridges between East and West with proficiency in Dutch, English, German, and French
Interim Entrepreneur:
Additionally, I am available, when possible, as an interim entrepreneur. It’s a guilty pleasure that I gladly make time for in my schedule. Many entrepreneurs want a break after years of hard work or may not be the right person to implement a much-needed transformation or set up a branch in another country. In such cases, I take over the leadership of the company or branch, providing the entrepreneur with some breathing space. If desired, I implement change management to ensure a smooth transition for the entrepreneur’s return.
Are you curious about whether we can collaborate? Contact me today to discuss the possibilities for growing your company.