Meet Reinier Reijneveld
Place of residence: Amsterdam
Free time: Sports, cooking, dining out, going to the beach, reading, being in nature, traveling abroad, spending time with friends and family.
Little moment of happiness: A good conversation during dinner with friends.
Biggest irritation: When people are not open to development or worse, when they say they are open but then take no action. I think it’s a shame when people don’t use their potential.
Wake me up for: Corn cakes with peanut butter, banana, honey, cinnamon, and coconut.
Book recommendation:The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.
Favorite quote: “Where excuses stop, results begin.”
Best advice I’ve ever received: “Mistakes are an opportunity to grow.”
10 Years of McFly & Brown: My Journey as an Entrepreneur
Ten years ago, I decided to start my own business. From a young age, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. With energy, perseverance, and a good dose of courage, I founded McFly & Brown. Today, ten years later, we stand here with a successful company I’m truly proud of.
From Recruiter to Entrepreneur
After studying small business and retail management, I had a clear plan: I wanted to become an account manager. My father worked at Shell, and at home I was always encouraged to pursue a career in business. Yet, I didn’t get a chance at the big corporates. By coincidence, I rolled into the world of recruitment as a recruiter. And honestly? It immediately felt right. Young people, an entrepreneurial job, lots of energy, and celebrating results. Even after all these years in recruitment, I still enjoy it.
During the first five years of McFly & Brown, I also called candidates, brought in clients, and filled vacancies. In recent years, that has shifted to a more strategic and overarching role. Through management training, coaching, and a lot of personal development, I’ve learned that you can make the most impact by helping others grow but that always starts with yourself.
Growth as a Driving Force
For me, professional development starts with personal development. That’s why I want to set the right example myself: I work out four to five times a week, walk 10,000 steps daily, read a lot, and have a personal coach. I know growth is contagious. If I develop myself, it inspires my team to do the same.
At McFly & Brown, we give people both responsibility and the tools for their own growth. Managers develop themselves so they can train our consultants to become the best in the industry. Those consultants then help candidates and companies move forward. This way, everyone grows together.
Moments That Stick
“There are moments I will never forget. Winning the FD Gazellen Awards in 2023 and 2024, for example. We were named one of the fastest growing companies in the Netherlands two years in a row. That’s something I’m very proud of.”
Another great moment was when an HR manager called us “ninja recruiters.” At first, she had little faith in us and thought another agency was better. I told her we’d fill all three of her vacancies—she thought I was bluffing. I wasn’t. So, ninja recruiters it was!
There are also wonderful growth stories internally. Marc and Ian once started as junior consultants and are now team managers and partners. Without the growth of McFly & Brown, they wouldn’t have been able to take those steps internally. It gives me great satisfaction that our success directly contributes to the careers of others.
Challenges Make You Better
Entrepreneurship is not a straight line upward. COVID was a tough period, but it forced us to professionalize. Looking back, it turned out to be our turning point. We sharpened processes, critically reviewed the organization, and together with the people who really wanted to move forward, we took big steps. The following year was, at that time, our best year ever. Since then, we’ve continued to surpass those results.
Looking Ahead
In the future, we of course want to place even more professionals in the right positions within the industry. But more importantly: I want McFly & Brown to be known as the place where people discover and realize their potential. Where companies grow because we bring them the right people.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t something you learn from a book. My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: start working at a good employer, build knowledge and skills, and then take the step toward your own company. Entrepreneurship is doing. While making mistakes along the way, you learn, grow, and get better.
Ten years ago, I started with one simple goal: to do it my own way. Today, I know that my way is all about growth. Growth of people, of careers, of companies. And that’s exactly what we’ll continue to do for the next ten years.”