20 years of entrepreneurship: Peter looks back on the journey of FS Solutions
Twenty years ago, Peter Horselenberg embarked on a journey that would eventually grow into the FS Solutions we know today.
At the time, no one could have known that twenty years later there would be a company with its own facility, a dedicated team and a promising future ahead. What did exist from day one, however, was confidence. Peter never doubted the potential.
From the very beginning, the focus was on helping customers, delivering projects and building something new together. “For the first projects, the two of us had to do everything ourselves. Drilling, sawing and assembling. I still remember carrying six-meter profiles through a very limited workspace.”
Looking back, Peter mainly remembers the energy of those early years. The feeling that something special could be built and the belief that it would succeed.
Interestingly, Peter also had a very clear idea of what the company should look like. “I always said I never wanted the company to grow beyond ten people.” Not because he lacked ambition, but because flexibility mattered more than size. Short communication lines, the ability to move quickly and staying close to both colleagues and customers were more important than growth for the sake of growth.
As often happens in business, reality had other plans. The company grew, the team expanded and new opportunities emerged. What started as a small and flexible organization evolved into the company that stands today.
Entrepreneurship Means Making Decisions
Twenty years of entrepreneurship naturally bring valuable lessons.
For Peter, many of those lessons revolve around making decisions. Not waiting until everything is certain, not getting stuck in doubt, but taking responsibility and moving forward.
Sometimes decisions work out exactly as intended. Sometimes they become valuable learning experiences. According to Peter, that’s all part of entrepreneurship.
“You make mistakes because you make decisions. But not making a decision is the biggest mistake you can make.”
That mindset has guided him through both major and minor decisions over the years. Anyone who wants to move forward must occasionally take risks and accept that not everything can be predicted in advance.
Entrepreneurship has not only shaped him professionally, but also personally. Over the years, he has learned how to deal with uncertainty, trust the people around him and keep moving forward when things do not go according to plan.
Alongside decision-making, Peter considers honesty to be equally important. “Be honest with yourself. Be honest with the people you work with. And be honest enough to recognize what can be improved.” According to Peter, that openness forms the foundation of trust and long-lasting relationships.
A Decision That Made a Difference
Some decisions only reveal their true impact years later.
For Peter, the relocation from Rijssen to Goor in July 2018 is one of those decisions. At the time, it was a logical step in the company’s development. More space was needed to continue professionalizing the organization and prepare for the next phase of growth.
Looking back, the impact of that move became far greater than initially expected. The new facility created room for further growth, improved operations and made it easier to attract new talent.
Today, Peter considers the move to Goor one of the most influential decisions in the company’s history. Not because everything changed overnight, but because it laid the foundation for much of what became possible afterwards.
Proud and Grateful for What Has Been Built Together
When Peter reflects on twenty years of entrepreneurship, his thoughts do not immediately go to projects, revenue figures or business achievements. His pride lies elsewhere.
In what has been built together. In the organization that exists today, the positive working atmosphere, the colleagues he has worked alongside and the strong relationships that have been developed with customers and suppliers over the years.
What means the most to him is the fact that something has been created with a future. A company where people enjoy working, where knowledge is shared and where new solutions continue to be developed together.
Peter is also proud of the culture that has grown within FS Solutions. A culture where people can be themselves, take responsibility and help one another improve. Openness, trust, short communication lines and ownership all play an important role in that environment.
Alongside pride, there is also a strong sense of gratitude. Grateful that he still enjoys coming to work after all these years. Grateful for the colleagues, customers, suppliers and partners who have all contributed to the story of FS Solutions.
Perhaps even more importantly, he is grateful to see that same enjoyment reflected in the people around him. Colleagues who enjoy their work, listen to each other and take ownership together. A team that continues to build, collaborate and achieve great results without losing sight of the human side of the business.
Ultimately, the value of twenty years is not found solely in the systems that have been built or the projects that have been completed. It is found in the people who continue to contribute to the company every day.
Building Further
Twenty years is a remarkable milestone, but certainly not an endpoint.
Peter looks to the future with confidence. To new opportunities, innovative solutions and long-lasting relationships. But above all, he looks forward to continuing the journey with the people who help move FS Solutions forward every day.
The same confidence that was there in 2005 is still there today.
And maybe that also explains why the answer to the final question was so simple. What does it mean that FS Solutions has existed for twenty years?
“Proud!”
