Latest news with #Kamstra
Arabian Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Willem Blijdorp: Building a Global Business Empire
Willem Blijdorp initially set his sights on a career in tourism. From 1970 to 1975, he studied at the Hotel Management School in Maastricht, the Netherlands. However, upon graduation, he chose an unexpected path. He decided to become the organizer of the now-legendary 'Butterfahrten'. This marked the beginning of an entrepreneurial journey that continues to this day. The Butterfahrt Concept During a business trip to Germany, Blijdorp was struck by how popular Butterfahrten were among Dutch tourists. These day trips involved boarding a ship that quickly sailed beyond national waters. Once in international territory, passengers could shop duty-free to their heart's content. ADVERTISEMENT Sensing a unique opportunity, Blijdorp introduced the concept to the Dutch market in 1975. Operating out of Eemshaven, he launched daily Butterfahrten for Dutch tourists. Blijdorp's success lay in offering more than just tax-free shopping. His cruises delivered a memorable experience, blending commerce with entertainment. Passengers were encouraged to shop, but they also enjoyed a full day of games, music, quizzes, and small lotteries. This unique combination of retail and entertainment struck a chord with the Dutch public. In 1976, Blijdorp began working part-time for shipping company Kamstra, whose mini-cruises were booming. That same year, he received a full-time offer from Marriott Hotels in the United States. Simultaneously, Kamstra also offered him a permanent role. Although he originally intended to pursue a career in the hotel industry, he took the leap into entrepreneurship. On the condition that he could acquire shares in the company, he accepted Kamstra's offer and came on board full-time. Blijdorp's talent for business soon became evident. He built strong relationships with German suppliers, securing exclusive deals available only to Butterfahrt passengers. These arrangements not only kept customers coming back but also laid the groundwork for his later venture: B&S. The Rise of B&S In 1985 Blijdorp founded B&S, a company focused on the distribution of duty-free products. What began as a clever cruise concept soon transformed into a serious business. While the European unification brought significant economic advantages, it also marked the end of duty-free sales within the EU. As a result, the Butterfahrten ceased in 1999. Nevertheless, B&S remained focused on the duty-free market, which meant that B&S continued to grow. What began as modest boat trips from Eemshaven evolved into a global tax-free distribution empire. The experience, relationships, and business acumen developed during the Butterfahrten years became the foundation of B&S's growth into a market leader. Expanding the Business Today, he is also an active investor with a particular interest in startups and social ventures. He is involved in companies such as Mercatum Medical Care – a medical wholesaler, SocialDatabase – a data-driven marketing platform, and Advion -a distributor of cleaning and sanitary addition, he is committed to social initiatives like the Papageno House, a residence that supports children with autism. He also contributes to international projects that provide clean water and sanitation in underserved communities, such as those in Ghana. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
The National
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
From Mrs UAE World to Cannes: Dubai resident Debanjali Kamstra makes acting debut
Entrepreneur and Dubai resident Debanjali Kamstra, who was crowned Mrs Earth in 2023, is realising her childhood dreams of being an actress with her film being shown at the Cannes Film Festival. Kamstra's short film, 30 Days of Autumn, is being unveiled at the festival's film market, Marche du Film. Backed by her production company, Veloche Productions, and directed by Sudipto Roy, the film is an adaptation of the classic short story, The Postmaster by Indian Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Written in 1891, the original explores themes of loneliness and human connection, and follows a postmaster from Calcutta who, after being transferred to a remote village and struggling to adjust to his new life, strikes up a friendship with an orphaned village girl. In 30 Days of Autumn, the story centres on the relationship between a visitor Arpita Chakraborty, played by Kamstra, and a village boy Ratan, played by Maulik Ghosh. "Wanting to be on screen and in front of the camera was more of a forgotten childhood dream," Kamstra tells The National. "It was always there in the background, but I've never prioritised it, instead choosing to focus on my entrepreneurial journey. "It was after winning the title of Mrs World UAE and Mrs Earth 2023 that the dream kind of re-awakened." Kamstra, a former flight attendant who started her interior design business in Dubai a decade ago, became the first woman to represent the UAE at the 2022 Mrs World pageant, a beauty contest for married women. Kamstra was one of 15 finalists at the event held in Las Vegas, and eventually placed third. She represented the UAE again at Mrs Earth in 2023 and won. Her business has also expanded, and now includes a furnishings business, as well as Veloche Productions, which she launched last year with Indian film industry veteran Sandhya Ramachandran. 30 Days of Autumn is the first film to be produced by her banner. Originally from West Bengal in India, Kamstra had no formal acting training, but underwent an intensive workshop to prepare for her role. "I grew up watching a lot of movies wondering what it would be like if I had to say dialogues, do that dance sequence etc. So you could say there was a lot of informal training," she says. "It was my first time on a movie set and I loved every minute of it. The energy, the collaborative and highly creative process, the technicality all of it was absolutely mesmerising. "It was also overwhelming and a bit like an out of body experience to see myself on the big screen." At Cannes, Kamstra and Ramachandran are also launching their first feature film, a yet-untitled horror movie in English. Based on Indian folklore and mysticism, the film will be directed by Salil Jason Fernandes and Aliya Curmally, with production set to begin next year. A production fund has also been announced, open to aspiring filmmakers who may lack access to the film industry. While more details of the fund are yet to be announced, Veloche Productions will be accepting script submissions between July and September, with one winner to be announced in October. The fund will be initially open for talents in India ("as a litmus test") with plans to broaden its scope to those who live in the UAE from next year. "The idea for the production came from the desire to build on who I already was and get involved in projects that would compliment everything I already stand for," says Kamstra. "This is how we came up with the idea of setting up a production house where the focus is going to be on creating powerful narratives that empower, enrich and entertain." The fund, she hopes, will do the same, and provide talented filmmakers with opportunities and access. "My nature is to keep growing and keep moving, so I can assure you that there is a lot more coming up in the near future," she says.
