From pancake baker in Sweden to Founder of KREW

BY MARC RODAN

Every week, we put one creative or unconventional entrepreneur in the Spotlight. This very first week, I’ll set the example myself for future stories to come. Hope you’ll enjoy it!

Full name: Marc Rodan
Business name: KREW
Currently lives in: The Hague (NL)
Grew up in: Steenbergen (NL)
Entrepreneur since: 2015

Who is Marc? I’m a (former) Pancake Baker, Digital Nomad, Ninja and currently the founder of KREW. Ever since I was (not so) little, I loved to draw. Now I create websites, online courses, products, brands… even entire online communities. Next to my work, I also love superheroes, time travel, penguins, UFOs, Indian food and all-things-new-and-adventurous.

Fun fact: my last name isn’t actually Rodan, but Plasmans. Heheh.

What is your biggest superpower? I would say my creativity, but because doing the odd thing is usually the hard thing… I’m going with persistence!

What can be your kryptonite? Working in my business instead of on it. My stubborn brain would always choose creating something new over picking up the phone for a sales call.

Just so we can refer them to you: who are your typical clients? Creative solopreneurs, digital nomads and small business owners. They don’t have to work in the creative industries, but they should fit in with KREW’s five core values.

Which products and/or services do you offer? Well, I offer the KREW Membership of course, which enables meaningful connections and the exchange of value between like-minded creative entrepreneurs (tell your friends!). Next to that, I love giving presentations about my entrepreneurial journey, at the Fuckup Nights for example, or on how to create both effective and fun online courses.

What does success look like to you? Having a business that truly helps people in a way that I’m deeply passionate about. It’s important to me that the business can run on its own, so that I’m free to spend my creative energy however I like, whenever I like and wherever I like. Ideally while travelling or from a sunny location with other creators around. 

What is your favourite way to celebrate achievements? Either a cold beer and vegetarian bitterballen from the oven… or trying out a new kind of food!

What is a major challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur and how have you overcome it?My biggest challenge was to create a structure in my business for consistent progress. I’m a creative person, I don’t like structure! My to do lists would only ever get longer and I didn’t feel like I was achieving any of my bigger goals. Two things have really helped me solve this: 1) I joined a Mastermind and got an Accountability Buddy, which both forced me to plan and reflect weekly. 2) I started making my calendar SUPER important by blocking larger time slots in line with the activities on my to do list. Within these time slots, I (mostly) focus on nothing else other than the activity listed. I even have certain rules for myself, such as not to schedule any calls before 3 pm on weekdays. Highly recommended!

What do you love to do when you’re not working? Kickboxing, hiking in nature, painting UFOs, reading the latest gaming news on IGN, or exploring new cultures, places and cuisines.

Who is your superhero (fictional or real)? Tom Bilyeu, because his podcast Impact Theory helped me find inspiration for my business when I most needed it. Also, his reading list has been a game changer for me in terms of my mindset and how I structure my business. 

Which book has made a major impact on you? The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber. Before you think otherwise, the ‘E’ stands for ‘Entrepreneur’ which means it’s applicable to anyone with a business. This book initiated a HUGE shift for me in how I look at my business and how I structure it. Simply put: it helped me go from working in it, to on it. The book and and the given examples are a lot more fun than it looks from the outside by the way. If you haven’t read it yet, I absolutely think you should. 

Which tool do you love to use for your business? Miro. I used to write down all my thoughts in notebooks and loose sheets of paper, which meant I could either not find them anymore or I just wouldn’t look at them. Miro enables me to organise my thoughts visually on a virtual whiteboard, which has been a massive help in creating KREW.

“Ask me anything about entrepreneurship, which KREW Members to reach out to for help or how to get more out of KREW.”

What can KREW Members reach out to you for?
Ask me how to overcome your entrepreneurial struggles, which KREW Members you should reach out to for help or how to get more out of your KREW Membership. Oh and anything game, (new) food or sci-fi related of course.

Where can we best find your business and you online?
You can read more about KREW on our website, LinkedIn and Instagram. Feel free to connect with me personally on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and right here on KREW of course!

Thanks for reading the weekly KREW Spotlight! Don’t hesitate to reach out to Marc and start a new meaningful connection or collaboration.

Marc Rodan is the Founder of KREW and Chief Editor of KREW Stories. In 2015 he started his first business as the tallest (mini) pancake baker in Sweden. Since then, he has travelled the world to start businesses in both branding and online education. Marc loves penguins, UFOs and anything blue and orange, always makes up songs while doing the dishes and dreams of one day living in a tree house as big as Jake and Finn’s. Connect with him on LinkedIn.