What is the best thing that I love about my work?

As a recruiter and co-creator I constantly meet new people and my work connects me with a lot of different businesses, ideas, minds and talents. I have always known that ‘growth’ for me was not about building a large company, but about connecting people and to grow by learning from them.

What is my idea of perfect happiness?

That’s about accepting what is, embracing every new day, love the people around me and enjoying my life journey. Perfectly happy moments come when sitting om my terrace enjoying the view, listening to a great song, having a new haircut, biking through sunny Amsterdam, cooking, having quality time with my lover and my family and playing a birdie while golfing.

What is my greatest fear?

I fear extreme heights in buildings, rollercoasters and deep waters but I hardly ever think or act out of fear.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

Sometimes I say strange, funny or inappropriate things – coming out of my mouth before I know it – that embarrasses and surprises people. It’s innocent, it can be awkward but mostly it’s also funny.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

I admire all persons that make an effort to positively change, disrupt, co-create and innovate the fashion industry.

What is my greatest extravagance?

Renting my apartment at the luxurious Pontsteiger Building in Amsterdam.

On what occasion would I lie?

Through all the years interacting with so many people, energies and emotions I feel I have grown not to lie anymore. Instead I try to really connect with people, show my kindness and respect to get into the energy of sharing my truth with them.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Having to tell candidates that they have not been selected or contracted for a job. In a recruitment, interview and selection process I am bonding with the people involved and having to disappoint them is hard.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I experienced happiness throughout all my work history. I am blessed with an interesting and exciting career, which brought me to travel a lot, to work with the best and funniest colleagues and to see amazing designs and creativity. As I lovingly grow and develop my agency more international, interconnected and impactful, my happiest time would be right now.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

My eye sight – for many years I need glasses to read – I have got some fancy ones but it also irritates me that I can’t read sh#t without them!

What is my greatest achievement in work?

I actually feel proud of having started and grown my agency to what it is today and even more of how I keep disrupting my work and concepts to stay relevant and inspirational.

Where would I most like to live?

One year ago I moved from a house just outside of Amsterdam, where I had lived for 28 years, to an appartement in the centre of the city, at the water, with a stunning view. The whole experience was also a result of an intense longing to live in a smaller space, minimal and owning less stuff. This place and view has given me so much new experiences and insights! My lover Peter and me are now on a project to live in Abruzzo, Italy, next year, for 4 months to challenge and deepen the way we work, live and love.

What is my most treasured possession?

As I went through a process of living more minimal, I said ‘goodbye’ to a lot of possessions by giving or throwing them away, I donated and sold stuff. The possessions I keep and treasure most are the ones that are given to my by loved ones: A small leave-shaped dish my son Zeb has given me, a silver bracelet I got for my birthday from Peter and some jewelry from my grandmothers and mother.

What is my most marked characteristic?

The fact that I am an extreme tall (183 cm ) Indo lady.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

That would be the building I live in, the iconic Pontsteiger building at Amsterdam’s waterfront: the IJ river. Here I enjoy the most incredible light and views. Also on a monthly base I organize so called ‘Pontsteiger Sessions’: inspirational network and connection events around a remarkable artist, writer or thinker,

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

I love De Goudfazant in Amsterdam Noord and Italian restaurants like Cecconi’s or Toscanini.

What books influenced my life and how?

I think it’s more magazines than books. Getting my hands on fashion glossy’s like Avenue, Elle and Vogue when I was a teenager, just pulled my attention and dreams towards the fashion and lifestyle world. It all sparked my interest and motivation to study fashion and the rest is history.

Who are my favorite writers?

I am not a fanatic reader of literature. However, I love the work of Dutch writer Arnon Grunberg. He has this incredible weird and unconfirmed way of thinking and creating stories which excites and invites me to think more weird and unconfirmed myself!

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

My partner Peter owns a great taste for music and we both love jazz: the established as well as new names excite us. As Peter sometimes plays the guitar himself at home so beautifully, I can only wish to see and hear him playing a song for me on the day I die.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

I am a fan of strong, influential women who are humble and connected with their hearts. These women connect, inspire and empower other women, like Michelle Obama.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My sister Hester. We’ve lived an ocean apart for over 20 years as she was living in Canada after her studies. Now she returned to the Netherlands. I love the fact that we are so different and yet very much the same, it helps me to reflect and to know my base and worth. She made some real tough decisions in live and I admire her for it and she always has got my back.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

My favorite movie is ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ because it is about smartness, friendship, patience, dreams, doing the impossible and it just moves me to tears.

What role plays art in my life and work?

I love art and artists! Art is touching my senses, it moves and inspires me. Through art I get in touch with the past, the current and the future, it’s a sign of the times.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My partner Peter.

Whom would I like to work with in 2019/2020?

With positive, likeminded people and companies who deeply feel and practice the value of collaboration.

What project, in 2019/2020, am I looking forward to work on?

I most probably will onboard as a partner at an international business model and networked community of creators, dedicated to shifting culture through meaningful conversation, advocacy, and connectivity.

Where can you see me or my work in 2019/2020?

Online and in Amsterdam, New York and Rome!

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

When you are born with passion in your system, you will feel and spread the vibe until and beyond you die.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Nancy Poleon

How can you contact me?

For more information about me, please check my website: https://www.isrid.nl/ , Instagram https://www.instagram.com/isrid.fashion.connections/ or LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isrid

For personal messages I am available via email through me@isrid.nl