Beyond sales targets: Creating opportunities for people to thrive

Hi, I'm Bart, Regional Manager for Flanders at Salonkee. Together with our Team Leads, I'm responsible for our Flemish sales and onboarding teams. My role goes beyond sales results. It's about developing people, building a strong team and creating an environment where everyone gets the opportunity to grow and succeed. And of course, making sure we continue to grow Salonkee in Flanders while delivering real value to our salons.

I've been active in the beauty industry for many years, working in sales for some of the bigger players in the market. During my last years before joining Salonkee, I was also helping salons develop their businesses. But I always felt something was missing: the right tool to really support them in their daily operations and long-term growth. At the same time, I had developed my own vision of sales and leadership. How you build trust, how you help people grow and how good sales should always create value for both the customer and the company. When I discovered Salonkee, everything came together. The product, the vision, the people and the opportunity to build something meaningful. It simply felt right.

Definitely the people, starting with the founders. I was genuinely surprised by how down-to-earth and approachable they were. And even more by the fact that this same mentality was present throughout the company. Open, friendly, ambitious and always willing to help each other. There's a real work hard, play hard mentality, but also a strong focus on motivating people and helping them grow. One of my personal mottos has always been "Walk your talk." Don't just say what you believe in. Show it through your actions. And that's exactly what I found at Salonkee. Not just in words, but in the way people work together every day.

Ambitious, open and genuinely human. We work hard, challenge each other and have high expectations. But we also laugh, celebrate successes and support each other when things get difficult. What I appreciate most is the trust people receive. You're encouraged to take ownership, share ideas and make a difference. And yes, we make mistakes. But what matters is how we learn from them and move forward together. For me, that's a healthy culture. One where people feel respected, challenged and motivated to become better.

Salonkee has given me the opportunity to grow alongside the company. My role has evolved from being closely involved in daily sales operations to building teams, developing Team Leads and looking more at the bigger picture. I've always believed in giving people trust and responsibility. But I've learned even more how important it is to combine that trust with clear expectations, coaching and support. Leadership isn't about having all the answers yourself. It's about helping people discover what they're capable of and giving them the confidence to achieve it. And I'm still learning every day.

Without a doubt, being part of building Salonkee in Flanders. Seeing how far we've come, becoming the market leader and knowing that I was able to contribute to that journey is something I'm incredibly proud of. But what makes it even more special is how we've achieved it. By focusing on quality, treating people with respect and doing business in an honest and fair way. Both towards our customers and our own teams. I've always believed that this approach pays off in the long run, and seeing that become reality is very rewarding. And on a personal level, the trust I've received to take responsibility for such an important part of the business means a lot to me. It's something I genuinely appreciate and never take for granted.

The fact that we're still growing, innovating and challenging ourselves. We've already achieved a lot, but there's so much more ahead. With new products, integrated payments and innovations like Maia, we're becoming much more than a booking platform. We're building an ecosystem that can genuinely help salon owners run and grow their businesses. And that's what excites me. We're not just selling software. We're helping entrepreneurs succeed. Being part of a company that keeps pushing forward while staying true to its values is incredibly motivating.

If you're ambitious, curious and willing to take ownership, Salonkee can offer you a lot. But you need to be ready to contribute as well. We work hard, things move fast and you'll be challenged. At the same time, you'll be surrounded by people who want to help you succeed. Be yourself, stay open to feedback, take initiative and don't be afraid to make mistakes. And most importantly, do what you say you're going to do. If you bring that mentality, you'll find plenty of opportunities to grow here.

Seeing people grow. Of course, achieving our targets and seeing Salonkee succeed gives me a lot of energy. But what really motivates me is watching someone develop, gain confidence and achieve something they didn't think was possible before. Sometimes it's a first deal, sometimes it's overcoming a difficult period, and sometimes it's seeing someone grow into a completely new role. Being able to contribute to that journey is something I really value. Because at the end of the day, great results come from great people. And helping people become the best version of themselves is what makes leadership so rewarding for me.

Having worked in the beauty industry for many years, I've had the opportunity to experience different companies, cultures and ways of doing business. What makes Salonkee different for me is the combination of ambition, trust and genuine care for people. In many companies, there are great ideas and strong values on paper. But what really matters is how those values translate into everyday decisions and actions. At Salonkee, I've experienced that people are genuinely encouraged to take ownership, share their opinions and make a difference. You're trusted to take responsibility, and your ideas can actually lead to change. And there's something else I really appreciate: we're not just focused on selling a product. We genuinely want to help salon owners succeed, and we believe in building long-term relationships based on trust and honesty. For me, that's what makes Salonkee special. It's a company with big ambitions, but one that hasn't forgotten the importance of staying human. And that combination is something I truly value.