In the podcast Designers Inc. by BNO, Roel Stavorinus talks with designers about the business side of the design profession. In this episode: Joost Overbeek, founder of álleburen. His story touches, inspires and shows that adversity does not have to be the end point.
Meet Joost Overbeek – designer, founder of álleburen and above all a go-getter. In this episode you listen not only to a classic interview, but also to a personal story, read by Cees, one of the designers at álleburen. This design agency is at the same time a development place for people with enrichment. They are educated, gain self-confidence and take control of their own lives. A different designer normally joins Designers Inc. every episode, but for this story we gladly made an exception.
From obstacle to opportunity
For years, Joost led a successful life as a designer with a thriving agency in Amsterdam. But when he was diagnosed with MS, his world began to topple. Still, he stayed upright. Literally as long as he could – first with a cane, later with a walker, eventually in a wheelchair. Not out of stubbornness, but from a conviction: don’t want to be pathetic, just keep going. In his own way. With humor, levity, and an enormous dose of willpower.
In his adapted home in Arnhem he started something new: álleburen. A design agency for people who normally fall by the wayside. “Everyone has something unique,” says Joost. “Use that.” His story is a plea for thinking differently – about talent, about work, and about what it means to participate.
A story that needs to be heard
This episode of Designers Inc. is an ode to resilience, creativity, boldness and entrepreneurship. About what is possible when you seize the opportunity to build, even when everything seems uncertain. Listen to the podcast and especially share the story with your network.
Want to hear more, or does it seem inspiring to you to invite Joost as a speaker? Then feel free to contact him.
Listen to the podcast via Buzzsprout
Designers Inc.
In Designers Inc., Roel Stavorinus talks with designers about the business side of the design profession, their collaboration with clients or each other, strategy, development and growth, and their own positioning and visibility.
Designers Inc. is an initiative of Roel Stavorinus and the BNO. The podcast is made possible in part by the Pictoright Fonds and Roland Geelen.
