“Thanks to our customers, we have existed for 100 years.”
Westen Mannen has been around for more than 100 years. They have already taken important steps in sustainable entrepreneurship and have a beautiful motto: one for all, all for one. Johan van Westen joined our podcast to tell us more about his wonderful company. He is already the third generation and has been in the store from a young age. He is responsible for purchasing and marketing, and together with his brother he runs the business.
What are you most proud of?
That is not a difficult question for Johan. He answers:
“You have personal pride — two weeks ago my daughter got married. Of course, you are proud then. You also have business pride, because on February 1, 2023, Westen Mannen turned 100 years old. That is a wonderful moment to celebrate a jubilee. You feel proud in both situations. I am also very proud of the history, and especially of my grandmother. She restarted the business after my grandfather passed away at a very young age. I called my grandmother a ‘power woman’ before that term even existed. She always had a certain strength in her — to take over the business at age 32 and keep it going. I am enormously proud of that as well.”
He continues:
“Because the company has existed for 100 years, we are making a book about it. When you dive into the history, these stories come back. We have a large archive in which much of the history is preserved. Throughout the entire year, we are celebrating the anniversary by organizing various events, such as party evenings and discount promotions. We do this for ourselves and for family, but especially for our customers. Thanks to the customers, we have existed for 100 years.”
Would you like to know Johan’s secret for handling the sale period creatively, whether less is always more, and how to use a loyalty program effectively?
Listen to the full interview in the podcast episode:
Episode 4 – The Secret of the Sale with Johan van Westen – Westen Mannen
Van Westen Mannen has a rich history and originated from the tailoring business of Johannes van Westen in 1923. So this year they are celebrating 100 years.
Website: www.vanwesten.com | Instagram: @vanwestenmannen | Facebook: @vanwestenmannen
Fashion in Motion
Fashion in Motion is your podcast about fashion retail. We are Elisa, Jade, and Shannon (EK Fashion), and every week we share the latest trends and developments in the market. We regularly put an entrepreneur in the spotlight and keep you up to date with marketing tips for both online and offline.