“I love that kick you get from creating things”
There’s no time like the present. So join us this International Women’s Day as we celebrate someone who exemplifies this motto: José van Tilburg, Managing Director (MD) of Anchor International.
-
Not in my dreams
“I need to pinch myself sometimes,” José says, 15 years on from her start at Anchor International as maternity cover for a sales assistant. “If this is real, how did I end up as Managing Director? I never, ever dreamed this would happen so soon, but I really enjoy it and I think our products are great. I feel so lucky!”
-
Big shoes to fill
The decision to take on the position of MD wasn’t an easy one for José. “The timing wasn’t perfect; I had just become a mother. But I decided to do it anyway: if I didn’t do it now, my chance would be gone.” José also felt she had big shoes to fill. “Our previous MD, Ron Vroegindeweij, is great at reframing negative situations for positive outcomes, presenting next steps and moving on. This always helped me to keep things in perspective, and it’s an approach I continue to implement with my team.”
-
The joy of creativity
The team is another reason José has stayed with Anchor International. “The people here are really great. We’re a small company, only 26 people, but we’re very open and straightforward, which I love. The joy of our work, to me, comes when I walk into a store and see people buying a product we created. It’s so satisfying, when you started with a blank sheet and ended up with a product that people are excited about. That’s the ultimate kick, to say, ‘Look, that’s my invention’.”
-
Making the moment right
Drawing on her own experiences to advise others facing career decisions, José says, “Don’t wait for the right moment, it will never come; instead, make the moment right. Just jump in.”
-
Learn more
Find out more about Anchor International here: https://anchorinternational.eu/about-us/