Rick Dreise ondernemer en co-founder van Convident B.V.

Rick Dreise (1988) is an entrepreneur through and through. Rick is the co-founder of Convident B.V. At his 25th, he founded his first internet enterprise. Personal characteristics: entrepreneurial, commercial background, cares about long term relationships, a deal is a deal, hard work and proper relaxation.

He has a passion for (fast) cars and motorcycles. He also wants to explore the world and is determined to become an excellent entrepreneur. From his role as a co-founder, Rick would like to have a conversation with you. Debating? Rick is the one for the job.

“Do not solely be a passenger, but also be behind the wheel yourself.”

Becoming Successful & Starting New Initiatives

Rick Dreise is 33 years old and lives in Groningen. “I studied Commercial Economy at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, with a minor marketing specialisation. After my study, I immediately stepped into the great commercial world to gain experience. I have held several commercial positions, but did they make me happy? Not really.” From working within a hierarchical structure, he certainly did not become any happier, therefore Rick decided to return to school in a whole new way: that is through the practice of independent entrepreneurship.

To create a brilliant team and the best product as a growing organisation, that needs time.

Rick has 3 years of experience as an independent internet entrepreneur when he crosses paths with his co-founder Rutger van de Griendt. Together with Rutger, they found Convident B.V., an organisation that focuses on developing websites, webshops and web applications. During the first 5 years, Convident grew from a start-up to a scale-up. “To create a brilliant team and the best product as a growing organisation, that needs time. I do it for the excitement of development, becoming successful and expanding. At first, we were actively in search of clients, expanding our network and our brand awareness. Now, clients find Convident and our growth has allowed us to broaden our reach to do business. For example, think of new business concepts and initiatives. That is extremely exciting and we are fully invested in this”, says Rick.

Looking for Happiness

At present, he flies around the world together with his fellow entrepreneurs or clients. To network, to do business, to connect and to collaborate, is in his blood. It is not odd that his own view on trade, marketing and having intriguing business discussions commonly return in his daily activities. A blueprint of Rick’s business point of view partly shapes the current Convident. This automatically translates to the great commitment and the sense of responsibility to grow and become successful as an entrepreneur. “Do not solely be a passenger, but also be behind the wheel yourself. I truly search for my own happiness.”. Continuously he is asked to share knowledge. Besides his active role within Convident, he also coaches entrepreneurs with their companies.

In a beautiful mansion, in the centre of Groningen, it all began. “To reach goals by fully taking advantage of your strengths, being complementary and empowering others to excel at full force. The IT sector is a vastly changing and competitive world. That requires vision and mainly hard work. You have to be focussed, or you will not make it”, according to Rick.

Rick is straightforward and has a level-headed business view. He is an entrepreneur who keeps his word: a deal is a deal. According to Rick, entrepreneurship means being able to and wanting to make a difference, where you sometimes need the right path to follow. To successfully do business and to connect entrepreneurs, that energises him.

Podcast Stadse Streken

Johan Cruijff – “I have no secret to success. You can only do your best, get enjoyment out of it and collect good people around you. Because on your own, you cannot do anything, together you can do everything.”

Where Will You Be in 5 Years?

“I find it important to do things I enjoy. And when I think back to 5 years ago, I had different ideas than the ones I have now. The Big Five For Life plays a crucial role in this. During a business trip to Finland, I became inspired by other entrepreneurs. In which you write down your five most important life goals; your own Big Five For Life. This helps you focus on what is truly important in life and work. I concluded that I was already on my way to finding a good work-life balance. But the method makes you even more conscious of what is truly important in life. A true recommendation! That is how I combine my passion for travelling and discovering the world into the business with Convident.”

“In 5 years, I want to be even more of an entrepreneur. To help people, coach other entrepreneurs and advise people by sharing my knowledge and experience. Besides the exceptional challenges with Convident, I foresee more involvement with other entrepreneurs or enterprises, during the coming years. As long as entrepreneurship is still at the centre of it all. I expect to still be heavily involved within Convident, from this role during the coming 5 years. Given our ambitions and the growing demand for IT solutions, it will change the organisation and my role. Within 5 years:

We will have a completely self-sufficient organisation (hour machine).
We will have several of our own concepts or identities in the market (recurring business).
We have moved into a larger space and/or have to spread to several locations.
Changes have been made in the range of services.
We have a large client base.
We are even more involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives, sustainable projects, innovation, etc.