In 2010, Brand and Strategic Professional Martijn Arets decided to quit his job, hand in his lease car, ignore all uncertainties and follow his dream. For five months, he traveled more than 12,500 kilometers across Europe in a one-of-a-kind Volkswagen T2 camper van, meeting with the leaders of 20 authentic European brands in what was to prove a unique trip: Brand Expedition. In this SlideShare presentation Martijn shares the most valuable branding and entrepreneurial lessons he learned while visiting these amazing companies. The brands that Martijn has visited: Netlog, Koziol, Mini, BMW, Adidas, LEGO, Koenigsegg, Kronan, Urbanista, Bang & Olufsen, TomTom, Philips, Innocent, Drinks, Manchester United, ManU, Duvel, Victorinox, Swiss Army Knife, Alessi, Freitag, Swarovski, Skype and The Body Shop. Enjoy reading!

1. 20entrepreneurial lessons
from Europe’s most inspiring
brands

2. INTRODUCTION
In 2010, Brand and Strategic Professional Martijn Arets
decided to quit his job, hand in his lease car, ignore all
uncertainties and follow his dream.
For five months, he traveled more than 12,500 kilometers
across Europe in a one-of-a-kind Volkswagen T2 camper
van, meeting with the leaders of 20 authentic European
brands in what was to prove a unique trip: Brand Expedition.
In this SlideShare presentation Martijn shares the most
valuable branding and entrepreneurial lessons he learned
while visiting these amazing companies.

3. Don’t think: ‘a growth story
never stops’. You can have
your tribulations as well.

4. Think global, but act local:
take into account local needs
and cultural differences.

5. Bring cultures together. Learn
from each other. Respect each
other.

6. What makes your organization
unique? Define your DNA.

7. Stick to the core of your
success.

8. Don’t grow for the sake of
growth itself.

9. Never sell the majority of your
stocks to someone you hardly
know.

10. Success in the past is no
guarantee for success in the
future.

11. Preserve the core, stimulate
progress.

12. Beware that everything you
do will stick to your brand in
the future.

13. It is soooo much easier (and
fun) to share your own story.
Be authentic. Be yourself.

14. Everyone is part of the team.

15. Small is the new big.

16. Every penny you spend today
does not have to be earned
back tomorrow.

17. Never stop looking for new
platforms to spread your
story.

18. The only way to find your
boundaries, is by crossing
them every now and then.

19. Not every idea requires a
business plan.

20. Always take feedback (from
employees) seriously.

21. You don’t have to earn money
from every customer you
serve.

22. Building up a reputation takes
time, tearing it down is a
matter of minutes.

23. You can read the
full stories of the
brands
that Martijn has
visited in his
book:
Brand Expedition, a journey visiting
Europe’s most inspiring brands

25. have a great journey!
Website: www.brand-expedition.com
Twitter: @martijnarets
Facebook: www.facebook.com/brandexpedition
YouTube: www.youtube.com/brandexpedition