A Decade of Pig & Hen
Reflecting on the past decade, Pig & Hen’s founders, Rutger and Dominic, sought inspiration in an open space in the market – there were no bracelets that matched their personal style. Driven by this realization, Dominic, already familiar with ship ropes through his passion for sailing, and Rutger, with a background in fashion, decided to take matters into their own hands. The original inspiration was rooted in a desire for a brand that exuded masculinity and strength. “The vision was crystal clear,” Dominic declared during the interview, “bold, artisanal creations reflecting a passion for exploring the world.” Dominic emphasized the importance of this core vision as an essential aspect of the brand, but added that over the years, it has evolved into something fresher and more modern.

The initial phase was marked by the challenging task of building a company from scratch. Co-founder Dominic stressed that the key was “surrounding yourself with diverse talents and transforming challenges into opportunities to hire the right people.” According to him, this was crucial to overcoming the obstacles founders face when navigating the uncharted waters of entrepreneurship. And that’s precisely what Rutger and Dominic did. Despite the rapid success of the brand, it became apparent that they needed additional support in financial management and sales.

Rutger explained, “We became successful fairly quickly. We were making serious sales and had quite a few people working for us. Suddenly, we had a real business, but we found it challenging to keep a handle on the financial overview! That’s when we started talking to Thomas van der Kallen, who became our personal financial advisor. He was very helpful, and we formed a good collaboration. Subsequently, we decided to bring him into the company.” Thomas van der Kallen joined the company around 2014 as the head of the sales team, bringing valuable support with him.

Over time, it became clear that Pig & Hen needed a more pronounced presence in the digital sphere. This pivotal moment came with the arrival of Stefan Textor in 2018. With his expertise and knowledge of the digital market, Stefan played a crucial role in reshaping the game for Pig & Hen, making a significant impact online. During our interview, Stefan emphasized the importance of “staying ahead and responding to the market and climate with smart and realistic decisions” to achieve successful digital integration.

A decisive moment in Pig & Hen’s history, as described by the founders, was not a big leap but a series of small milestones. Within the first six months, the brand secured a spot in 100 stores across the Netherlands, evidence of its growing appeal. Dominic described the influential milestone when they first saw their products on the shelves of stores in Sweden, which he referred to as “an unforgettable moment.” Thomas added to these achievements by highlighting their successful entry into the American market in 2017, now their largest market.

It is safe to say that Pig & Hen has achieved numerous successful milestones over the years, including the establishment of a flagship store in the heart of Amsterdam. The success of this store is unparalleled. Stefan emphasized Pig & Hen’s resilience, noting its ability to “adapt to the changing environment while maintaining and building a community.” This adaptability is evident in the success of Pig & Hen’s flagship store in Amsterdam.

After our conversations with the four founders about the past 10 years of Pig & Hen, discussing the challenges of starting a business, dealing with ongoing changes, and building a community, the founders unanimously shared their perspective on the past with just three words: “enjoy the ride.” This statement shows that the dynamic brand meets the demands of a discerning customer in a competitive market. It stands for the reward found in the success built by a dedicated team of talented individuals. Furthermore, it reflects the constant evolution of Pig & Hen, always keeping their customers in mind.