Meet the Entrepreneur: Casper Looman
In this monthly Q&A series, we shine a spotlight on the inspiring (student) entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the IQONIC community. We present them a number of thought-provoking questions and ask them to reveal fun facts about themselves and their businesses. These stories serve as a source of inspiration for others and showcase the thriving entrepreneurial culture that IQONIC nurtures. This month we would like to introduce you to Casper Looman!
Q: Casper, could you introduce yourself and your company?
A: Hello all, my name is Casper Looman, 20 years old and I live in Tilburg. I am studying Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation and I recently started my third year. My brother and I founded our company, Taste The Grape, in 2021.
Taste The Grape specializes in putting together unique wine packages and organizing (home) wine tastings. Our wine packages focus mainly on the B2B market, while we focus the wine tastings more on the B2C market. Our ultimate goal is to make wine knowledge accessible and affordable for everyone. We translate this into our packages by adding a fun online video and an aroma circle, both of which are included in the box.
We are passionate about sharing our love of wine and want to introduce others to the world of wine in a fun and educational way. With our wine packages and wine tastings, we hope to provide an unforgettable experience while contributing to our customers' wine knowledge.
We are passionate about sharing our love of wine and want to introduce others to the world of wine in a fun and educational way Casper
Q: Who/what inspired you to do business?
A: When I was younger, I used to admire successful entrepreneurs who had amassed significant wealth. I believe that's where the seed of ambition was planted within me. As I observed my friends and classmates starting their own businesses, the desire to embark on my entrepreneurial journey grew stronger and stronger. It wasn't solely about making a lot of money, I wanted to get out there and learn everything about being an entrepreneur in the real world.
Q: When were you proudest of yourself?
A: I felt immense pride when I successfully closed my first business-to-business deal. Not only was I thrilled about accomplishing this milestone, but I was also delighted to see that companies genuinely recognized the value of our product. This marked the first instance where I identified substantial growth potential for our business.
Q: What's the funniest or most memorable mistake you've made as an entrepreneur, and what did you learn from it?
A: Looking back, there were two significant mistakes that we can now laugh about. The first blunder was ordering 400 flyers to promote our product, but unfortunately, we had a grammar error in the text. As a result, we couldn't distribute these flyers as they didn't align with the luxurious image of our product. The second mishap was even more nerve-wracking; we forgot to submit our tax payment on time. After a month, we received a letter stating that we were facing a fine of 5000 euros. The initial panic was immense, but fortunately, it turned out that the penalty was reduced to just 78 euros when paying a bit late, which was a tremendous relief.
Don't get overly fixated on the elusive million-dollar success stories; they exist, but they are not very probable. The key is to just start and start learning Casper
Q: Lastly, what is your advice for people who want to start a business themselves?
A: Just start! Begin by taking a step forward, searching for opportunities that aren't excessively risky. Don't get overly fixated on the elusive million-dollar success stories; they exist, but they are not very probable. The key is to start and start learning. This is the perfect moment to begin since you don't have the added responsibilities of feeding your children or paying a mortgage. Another valuable piece of advice is to choose a market that genuinely interests you. For instance, I found my passion in the wine industry, but for others, it might be fashion or providing marketing advice. Embrace a field that excites you, as it will fuel your motivation and drive to succeed.
Want to know more about Casper or Taste The Grape? Visit their website!