Christel van Weelden

What’s it like to work at Bulsink? Who better to answer that question than our own people. In our employee stories, we want to give you a behind-the-scenes look at our corporate culture. Today we’re handing the mic to Account Manager Christel van Weelden.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

“My name is Christel van Weelden and I’m 38 years old. After graduating as an horology technician and goldsmith, I worked for almost twenty years in the jewellery industry, including as a watchmaker. I eventually landed a nice job with an importer where I also got to do sales, marketing and purchasing.”

“I really love good food and drink. And consequently, also sports. In winter I enjoy skiing. I’ve been together with Bob for twenty years now. No children, not married, but very happy.”

How did you end up working at Bulsink? And why did you choose Bulsink?

“It was through a mutual friend. I wasn’t consciously looking but I was curious, so I just went in for an interview. It was a really good talk; two and a half weeks later I left my job and have been working at Bulsink now for three years.”

“I chose Bulsink because I felt I was ready for a new challenge and wanted to grow further. I was actually still very happy in my old job, but I was triggered by the career opportunities that Bulsink was offering. My gut instinct was the deciding factor; the vibe felt right. The fact that Bulsink is a family business also helped. I’ve always worked in family-run companies. That fits better with my character than the corporate world where you feel more like you’re just a number.”

“It may seem like a huge step at first glance, the switch from jewellery to construction. But on the other hand, it is all technology; as a technician I’m trained to think in terms of solutions. And I already had about 15 years of sales experience. The engineering side is something I’ve mastered over the years.”

What do you actually do as an Account Manager?

“My main role as an Account Manager involves acquisition. Attracting major new clients, bringing them in and keeping them loyal to Bulsink. That’s also what I love the most about my job. I get a kick out of closing a deal. And achieving success together. After all, a satisfied client is always a team effort.”

“I also take care of the customer relations for the clients I bring in. My role in this is more of a monitoring role. Because of my background as a technician, I also really like working closely with my colleagues in operations. Somehow I still feel like one of them.”

“The continued growth and professionalisation at Bulsink has only made the sales work more fun. We are now able to keep pace with the ambitions of large, prestigious clients, who in earlier years might have thought ‘what on earth can I do with that contractor from Son?’ I’m proud that our dream customers and dream prospects are now also blown away by what we have to offer. That I can do my bit and that I can be the person who conveys our dreams to the outside world.”

“Once I get the feeling that ‘this is it’, I’m like a pit bull and won’t let go. Then we’ll reel in that project, too.”

Bulsink uses B.U.I.L.D. as its core values: Brand-conscious, Ultra-fast, Inspiring, Leading and Determined.  Can you pick out one or two core values and explain what they mean to you?

“Then I’ll go for determined. To bring in new business, you have to be tenacious as well as patient. Right now I’m about to close a deal that I have been working on for two years, a project worth millions. But once I get the feeling that ‘this is it’, I’m like a pit bull and won’t let go. Then we’ll reel in that project, too.”