20 year olds, studying and partying
We met on day one in Amsterdam North, living in a messy dorm with way too much partying and studying. We were also in the same fraternity, and from there, it was all about late nights and good times, while getting our degrees of course...
Collecting University Degrees
At 25 years of age, we were both pretty active at university. Tristan earned a bachelor’s in Human Geography & Urban Planning, another in European Studies, and a master’s in East European Studies. Meanwhile, Musa completed his bachelor’s degrees in both psychology and law, along with a master’s in commercial law. Both at the University of Amsterdam.
What We Did Beyond Studying
But we weren’t focused on academics only. While Musa was DJ-ing in Amsterdam's clubs, Tristan started rowing at a competitive level. We enjoy learning and challenging ourselves beyond books and theory.
Still Unsure About The Traditional Path
We found ourselves unsure of the traditional path ahead: Going to university, getting your degrees, and start working your corporate job. Buried in student debt, we liked our studies but didn’t feel the drive to work in those niches. The motivation just wasn’t there—we knew we had to figure out something else that excites us.
So We Changed Our Direction
Tristan launched a digital marketing agency, diving headfirst into the world of e-commerce and digital marketing strategies. Meanwhile, Musa started building his own brands, learning the ropes of entrepreneurship and e-commerce along the way.
The Beginning of A New Team
Eventually, the three of us—Musa, Tristan, and our best friend Michiel—teamed up and launched a fashion brand. Living together in Amsterdam at the time, we poured our energy into building something we were all passionate about, learning what it really meant to work as a team.
The Struggle and the Rise of Our First Brand
Our brand had a tough start—9 months of no sales, no traction. But after that, things started clicking, and growth came fast. A year later, we were on fire, finally seeing the results of our hard work and persistence.
Going Full-Time On Entrepreneurship
After our first brand took off, we decided to go all in, working on it full-time. We also launched our own seperate brands which we were able to scale much faster.
It Changed Our Lives
Building brands changed everything for us. Tristan didn’t need to dive into politics, and Musa didn’t need to become a lawyer. Instead, we worked from wherever we wanted, loving our work.
What We Focus on Nowadays
As entrepreneurs, we focus on building brands that truly add value. It’s about creating products that people are more than satisfied with, cultivating a loyal customer base, and building something we can be proud of. That’s what drives us every day.
Changing Perspectives
We’ve seen it too often—university students who think their degree is their only path, and people in the e-commerce world who only focus on generating sales but don’t believe in building lasting brands. We want to change that.
Why We Founded 'Founders Project'
That’s why we founded Founder Project. It’s a platform designed to teach you how to build valuable, sustainable brands. Through well-structured programs, we’re here to guide you in creating businesses that last, just like we did—no shortcuts, no fluff, just real, impactful branding. If you're like us and looking for something more exciting than your studies, let's build your project together.
