Entrepreneurship runs in Marvin Strik's blood. After studying business administration and gaining experience at a large staffing agency, he discovered what truly drives him: working with people. Based on this conviction, he founded Smart People, a company specializing in staffing and secondment services within healthcare and social services. In just over two and a half years, Smart People grew from six to 22 employees. This rapid growth requires structure, but according to Marvin, it should never come at the expense of culture and connection.
Job satisfaction as a foundation
At Smart People, happiness at work is paramount. Not just for clients, but especially for healthcare professionals. By truly listening to who someone is, what they want, and what makes them happy, we create lasting matches. According to Marvin, that human touch is indispensable in healthcare.
Building a strong team
For Marvin, entrepreneurship primarily means building teams. With his sports background, he believes in collaboration, development, and achieving results together. Employees are given the space to grow and develop, while hard work and fun go hand in hand.
Respond flexibly to the healthcare market
The healthcare market is constantly evolving. By listening carefully to clients, Smart People responds to this, including Smart People Uitzenden (Smart People Temporary Employment) for the flexible deployment of healthcare professionals. Changing laws and regulations also demand agility and a careful approach.
Looking ahead with impact
The next step is a new location in Leiden. Pioneering again and building a team aligns with Marvin's entrepreneurial drive. At the same time, he's looking beyond growth: Smart People also wants to make a social impact and give back to vulnerable groups in healthcare.
His belief is clear: do business with pleasure, stay close to yourself and build with the right people, then success will follow automatically..
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🎧 Smart Entrepreneurs is a series by Kenneth Smit in which we speak to leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals who make a difference and are honest about it.