2023-10-24 19:35:40
Young Entrepreneurs Launch Music Book for People with Dementia
Three young entrepreneurs, Colinda van Gog, Luuk Kempers, and Fleur Willems, have launched a special music book called “Time Flies” for people with dementia. Their company, Emjoy, originated as a project during their studies of Entrepreneurship & Retail Management at Fontys Hogeschool Eindhoven. The music book aims to provide joyful and memorable moments for individuals with dementia and their loved ones.
The idea for the music book came about during the corona school year of 2020-2021 when the group noticed the impact of dementia on individuals and their families. They wanted to link an existing product, children’s books with cheerful melodies, to a social cause. The music book plays on the music memory, as research has shown that people’s music memory is often preserved even in the presence of dementia.
One of the challenges the entrepreneurs faced was obtaining the necessary music and photo rights for their book. They needed to contact various entities, including Universal in America, to secure the rights for the songs used in the book. While the process was challenging, it provided the young entrepreneurs with valuable experience in navigating legal and copyright issues.
Currently, all three entrepreneurs have full-time jobs, but they dedicate as much time as possible to Emjoy. Their ultimate goal is to expand the company and its products to meet the growing demand. Each entrepreneur brings a different set of skills to the company, with Kempers working as a recruiter, Van Gog in marketing, and Willems as an accountant.
Reflecting on their entrepreneurial journey, Kempers admits that starting a business was more challenging than he initially thought. However, he believes that the ups and downs were worth it, as Emjoy and the music book became a fantastic learning project. The company has already sold over 200 books within a year, exceeding their expectations.
The entrepreneurs have received support from various sources, including a mentor during their school project and their families. They credit this support for helping them navigate the challenges of running their business.
While making a living solely from Emjoy is not their short-term goal, the entrepreneurs envision having their own office and staff in the coming years. They also hope to expand their target market beyond people with dementia. Kempers encourages young entrepreneurs to work hard and take action before expecting results, emphasizing the importance of putting in the effort and not seeking quick and easy success.
For more information about Emjoy and their music book, please visit their website.]
#people #twenties #focus #people #dementia