Whether it concerns Anthuriums, pink pineapples or Calathea, exotics expert Jochem knows all about it!

Originally he was the buyer and salesman of the exotics department, but nowadays he does more and more work. No two days are the same!

Read the entire interview with colleague Jochem de Vries on our website.

Tell us something about yourself.

I am Jochem de Vries, I am 30 years old and live together with Dieke van Duijn in the picturesque Valkenburg.

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are football and tennis. Where football is mainly about watching, I like to play tennis at the local tennis club.

I also love to go on holiday to warm countries, as long as the sun shines a lot, I don't care where we go.

What did you study?

After primary school I ended up at the Wellant college in Rijnsburg, where I enjoyed going to school for 4 years.

After that I went to the (MBO) ID college in Katwijk and there I completed the training entrepreneur retail trade.

Once I finished that training, I went to The Haagse Hogeschool on a blue Monday, I found out after 3 months that this was not for me haha.

And then I actually started working!

What did you do before you started working at WBE?

I did have a few side jobs, but I started working for WBE almost immediately after my school.

In which department do you work?

Originally I am a seller/buyer of the exotics department, some things have been added recently.

I am therefore also fully involved in the purchase and sale of greenery, and together with a colleague, I ensure that the webshop photos are neat and tidy.

At which branch do you work?

I started in Rijnsburg, then I took a six-month break and then I ended up in Westland.

Now I have been in Rijnsburg (again) for a while,

What does your average working day look like?

We start early, between 4:00 and 5:00 am I'm at my desk.

I start by processing the purchase lists in the computer. Since I order the exotics and the products from Dutch growers myself, I have to purchase and process these also myself.

When I have processed these lists, the first customers usually start calling.

I sell most of it in the early morning, I try to plan this a bit because I have to replenish my own products as well.

I have daily contact with various growers, whether it concerns an Anthurium or a bucket of Asparagus, everything has to be ordered from our regular growers.

When all growers have been called, I will then receive everything confirmed by email so that I can process them early the next day. And that is how it actually starts again every day.

What do you like most about your job?

I really enjoy selling, but the daily contact with the grower also makes every day a different day.

What do you like least about your job?

The only thing I could think of is getting up early every now and then!

What is your favorite product?

Because I am mainly concerned with the exotic department, I choose the Anthurium in water.

I also say this because I think there is a lot of potential in this!

Do you still have ambitions within WBE?

I would like to improve, in whatever position!