Can you tell us something about yourself and your passions?
I am 39 years old and am the mother of two wonderful boys; Morris 7 years old and Owen 4 years old and am married to Nick and have been together for 17 years. I am self-employed and now work as an interior designer.

How did you get to where you are now in your career/life?
I have searched for a long time for what really suits me. As a teenager I hesitated between two completely different professions: hairdresser or lawyer. They seem miles apart, but now I know what they have in common for me.
I have always been creative—especially with hair, myself or others. At the same time, I am goal-oriented, I like depth and I like to have a real conversation with people.
After high school I chose the hairdressing profession, in which I worked with great passion for seven years. However, I decided to go back to school afterwards. I graduated from TMO Fashion Business School, direction Marketing & Sales.
After my studies, I worked for seven years as an account manager at Detex Opleidingen, where I sold training courses to fashion companies. Here I learned what I really find important: back to basics. Not just transmitting, but having sincere conversations and involving people on the work floor in the foundation of an organization. So that they not only understand this, but also radiate it and pass it on to their team.
After that, I held various positions at various companies, but I never really found my place. Until I renovated our own attic. I designed everything myself and led the entire project. Then I knew for sure: this is what I want to do.
I decided to go for it. Followed an interior design course, started working for myself straight away and that's how Veerfijnd Interieur was born.

What are some challenges you've faced along the way and how did you overcome them?
Around the age of 28, my husband and I wanted to have children and this did not happen automatically. After 3 years, we finally managed to have a son through IVF. During that period, I also had a burn-out. That was when I really discovered who I am and want to be. I have always had the ambition to become an entrepreneur, but I never had the self-confidence or courage to take this step. After 2.5 years, I learned to love myself and that it is good who I am and that I can really stand up for it and not be guided by what I think others expect of me. When I became pregnant with our second son, the time had come for me to really choose for myself and I started following my passion to start working as an independent interior designer.

How do you use your platform/(work) environment/influence to make a difference.
I personally attach great value to a place where I can be completely myself and withdraw from all the hustle and bustle. Because nowadays our lives are often in 5th or 6th gear, with nice and less nice events. We have to do a lot of ourselves and all kinds of things are expected of us. It is nice to have a place where you can come to a standstill for a while and I want that for everyone. It is therefore my mission in my work to create a place where you can truly be yourself, that suits you completely.

What achievement are you most proud of and why?
That I really learned to choose for myself and despite the fact that not everything goes smoothly, I still kept my focus and continued to follow my own path.

How do you integrate The Insiders into your daily routine or work?
To feel confident and truly empowered, my look has to be right.
Whether it's my clothing style, my hair or makeup—it's all part of who I am and how I present myself.
I have fine hair, and many products quickly make it heavy or greasy. After working as a hairstylist myself for seven years, I am critical of what I use. I want volume, but in a natural way, without spending a lot of time on it.
Since I started thinking and designing in the co-creation team and using the Supernatural Volume Foam from The Insiders, my hair feels fuller and thicker and I have a natural, voluminous look all day long. This way I can do what I like to do, without having to worry about my hair all the time. And that gives me confidence.

Who or what inspires you the most?
Strong men or women who really dare to be themselves and stand up for it, but also dare to show their vulnerable side. Because that is also life. No one is the same and that is okay and that also means that everyone has something that makes him or her unique. Authenticity/purity, depth, integrity in the broadest sense of the word and really being connected to each other.

What's the best advice you've ever received?
Don't let others lead you, but believe in yourself and stand for it. And do you have a dream or wish? Grab it with both hands and just do it. It's never too late to take that step.

Do you have any tips or advice for women who want to follow your path?
Follow your heart and do what really makes you happy. It might not work right away, but keep believing—every step counts. Or just dare to make that first move: be brave and approach someone who inspires you. Ask if you can have a coffee with that person to hear his or her story. We are all people, and how great would it be if we could help and inspire each other along the way?

What are your plans or goals for the future?
My company has been around for almost 3 years now and I would really like to expand my company and realize the most beautiful projects. In addition, I would also like to find more balance between work and private life, so that I can follow my ambition and passion as an enterprising woman, but also enjoy my family and life.

Want to know more about Joice and her company? Check https://veerfijnd-interieur.nl or @veerfijnd_interieur.nl