A Beautiful Story by Cathelijne Lania
Cathelijne had a good job as a marketing manager at a large company for years when she decided to change course. "I was no longer getting satisfaction from my work." Was only concerned with bringing in as much money as possible. But for whom? She quit her well-paying job, flew to Nepal where she bailed out a friend who was close to bankruptcy by selling his jewellery in the Netherlands. What started as a kind of tupperware sales party in friends' living rooms has now grown into jewellery brand 'A Beautiful Story' sold in more than 500 places. But behind every success is a story. For Cathelijne, that is 3 times almost going bankrupt, and a burnout. Our conversation is about how she has persevered above all else. Curious about her business?
A Beautiful Story sells jewelry, greeting cards, and gifts with a special meaning. They are lucky tools: a stone to give strength or wings, a bracelet for luck, a card to offer comfort. They are made on the other side of the world. Not just by manufacturers far away but by craftsmen and women who are a part of the beautiful story. For them, the products have a very direct meaning: a reasonable income, a roof over their head, food on the table and independence. In 2006, A Beautiful Story started with a group of 10 people. Now they are at 100 jobs. It’s their dream to form a community of 1,000 in 5 years. And every year, we come a little closer to fulfilling that dream.
Cathelijne Lania tells a story about pioneering, doing things differently from others. About co-creating and persevering when things don't go so easily.
