“The Challenge Bootcamp showed us that we actually had two businesses”

About Daems Antwerp/Home3

• Project developer active in North and Central Antwerp
• First-generation family company, founded in 2023
• Three co-founders

Why did you choose the Challenge Bootcamp?

“I founded Daems Antwerp in 2023. We have a lot of expertise – between us, the co-founders have a good 20 years of experience in the sector – but I believe it is important to keep an open mind, certainly if you’re going into business yourself. I resolved to take a course or training programme every year. Acquaintances soon pointed me in the direction of Vlerick. We didn’t have any specific challenges at Daems Antwerp – the figures were good – but the Challenge Bootcamp immediately appealed to me. Besides covering all the topics important to an SME (HR, finance, strategy, operations and leadership), the course puts you in touch with other entrepreneurs. I was curious about my fellow entrepreneurs’ experiences and best practices, and I hoped that I’d gain valuable insights to help our business progress.”

What are the main insights you gained from the training programme?

“In the module on our business model, I had a conversation with another participant. I was listing our activities when he asked: right, but what do you actually do? The programme showed us that we actually serve two customer segments. There are the high-end clients for whom we build properties in premium locations, with star architects and great attention to detail. And then there are the projects we sell to investors who want to rent out their properties over the long term. The two groups have different needs. If we want customers to identify with our company, we need to split the activities.

The module on organisation was an eye-opener. Fellow entrepreneurs told me they had no time to devote to a growth strategy because they spent the whole day dealing with day-to-day management. That felt very familiar. In theory we could take on fewer projects, but growth is the whole aim for us. That led to the realisation that we need operational support: an employee who keeps track of everything so that we can focus on our projects and growing the business.”

How have you gone about implementing those insights?

“We’ve split our company into two entities. Daems Antwerp targets high-end property. We align our focus and customer retention activities with that aim: high-quality 3D models, a luxury experience and great attention to privacy, greenery and materials. Home3 targets investors looking for investment properties, with a focus on affordability, future-proofing and sustainable construction.

We’re also in the process of recruiting our first employee. Our approach to that is very thorough. That’s something I’ve learned from conversations with more mature entrepreneurs: even in big companies, senior managers are still very involved in recruitment. As well as getting candidates to do assessments, it’s important to talk to them yourself, so you can sense whether they’re a good match. We’re looking for someone with experience and a sense of responsibility. They will take over the day-to-day organisation of Daems, giving us the space to monitor the Home3 building sites and concentrate on customer retention and new opportunities.”

What impact have your chosen actions had on your business?

“The network and knowledge you gain from this programme are especially valuable. For example, I recently sent Home3’s financial spreadsheets to Professor Yannick Dillen. He examined them critically based on all his expertise in fast-growing start-ups. We apply tips from other participants every day, helping us to become more professional. We now take notes during meetings, for example, to prevent debates afterwards. We also keep a file of queries and requests for each contractor, which has improved our efficiency. In return, we have been able to help other participants by sharing our experiences with our advisory board. The Challenge Bootcamp stands out because of its networking opportunities and knowledge, but also because it is exceptionally hands-on. You are constantly encouraged to apply the theory in your own company. Right from day one, you come home with a fresh perspective and a desire to get to work. That’s worth its weight in gold.

We’ll soon be launching the Home3 website, and our new employee hasn’t started work yet, so it’s still too early to talk figures, but I’m convinced we will reap the rewards for the simple reason that we have a clear narrative and believe in it ourselves more than ever before.”