© RR
Her father may have set up a successful construction company, but it was far from written in the stars that daughter Nadia would join it. “I first started working at Deloitte, and then established myself as an independent consultant,” Nadia Jansen looks back. “My first assignment happened to be for my father’s company. I had to finalize the cost price calculation. That’s how I got into it. Then they asked me as interim CEO, and look: I stuck around and am still working there.”
Today, Group Jansen is an all-round construction group with 835 employees, a turnover of 245 million euros and branches in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Germany.
READ ALSO: Party animal Nadia Jansen provides a breath of fresh air in the construction sector
Have you encountered the ‘glass ceiling’ yet?
Nadia Jansen: “Definitely in the past, I was often hit with it. But today that is much less the case. I believe that the opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs and build a flourishing career have never been greater. If you want to go for it, you can. Sometimes it is even easier to realize your ambitions as a woman. Many organizations realize that a balance is needed between men and women. They are therefore open to doing business in a different, more differentiated way. At Group Jansen we take this into account a lot. It is the mix of men and women that makes us a strong team, with different perspectives, opinions and values. That has nothing but advantages.”
Why should women do more entrepreneurship?
“Gender doesn’t really matter. You have to take action when you feel it. Then you have to go for it, whether you are man or woman. Starting a business today is much easier than it used to be. You get more and better advice, the threshold to get started is lower. So there are opportunities for everyone. Even though men may naturally dare to take more risks, there is no reason for women not to do so.”
© Boumediene Belbachir
Do you feel like a role model as a female entrepreneur?
“Yes, certainly in our sector. Not so much me personally, but our company is an example of diversity. The fact that we are growing strongly and that our people enjoy working here is proof that our organization offers everyone opportunities to develop themselves. Anyone who has ambition and talent can build a great career path here, regardless of gender, age, orientation, religion or whatever. Everyone can be themselves here.”
Why could you be the Best Entrepreneur in Limburg?
“A personal award is nice, but it will always be the merit of the entire company. Everyone at Group Jansen is great, but you can’t do anything alone. My role is mainly to encourage others, to give them self-confidence and to assist them in the daily battle they fight for the company. A personal hobbyhorse is caring for the well-being of our people. I strongly believe that if you invest in making your colleagues healthy, energetic, powerful and happy, you will get a lot in return as a company. In this way you also make yourself attractive as an employer.”
You can vote until March 3 via made-in.be/strafste-ondernemerster. The winner will be announced on March 8.
READ ALSO: Who will be the Best Entrepreneur in Limburg? You chose these five