Marion

Tell Us About Yourself and your life?

My name is Marion. I was born and raised in The Hague and I still live there with my two cats, Jan and Arie. I married my first love when I was 21 but unfortunately, we divorced when I was 24. It was me who was the problem, as I fell in love with somebody else. Since then I have had several relationships but have now been single for 10 years. I really don’t mind being by myself. As an only child of very young parents, I was used to being on my own most of the time. So I can honestly say that I am my own best friend and we actually get along together really very well. In other words, I never feel lonely.

Tell us about your career?

Due to circumstances at home, I started working immediately after my final exams. Through courses, at Schoevers I was able to work my way up to Secretary and then Executive Secretary. In the 1980s I helped my then partner expand his wine business from a small retail store to a leading wine import company with a franchise chain. When I turned 40, I changed course and started my own business. It was an import company, retail store, and wholesale business (for hospitality and retail) in high-quality tea and related items such as confectionery and tableware. In 2011 I opened a second shop. After doing this for 26 years, I got tired of the hard work and stress that comes with having your own business. The year I turned 66, I sold the entire business. Since then (at the time of writing 2.5 yrs ago) I have been enjoying my retirement.

If You Had a Warning Label, What Would It Be?

Take care! She can be direct but she really is ok.

What Scares You?

Actually, nothing can scare me anymore. I live in the moment, I don’t look to the past and I take the future as it comes.