5 years of The Social Handshake

April 19 2024

Happy Birthday! Five years ago, I signed on the dotted line and took the plunge to pursue a dream. It was an exhilarating start and a rollercoaster ride that I wouldn't trade for anything.

Today, five years ago, the establishment of The Social Handshake became official. We had two young children, ages 3 and 1, and my husband had just started his own business too. There was a lot of uncertainty. From a comfortable salary as a strategy consultant, I went to a modest income as a startup entrepreneur with a dream.

The dream of making doing good easier and more impactful. That's possible with LoonGift because what's easier than supporting charities directly from your salary? It's also smarter, by selecting effective charities, leveraging tax benefits, and employer contributions.

Realizing that dream and setting up The Social Handshake has been a rollercoaster both professionally and personally. There have been major ups and downs, with COVID-19, our launch, hyperinflation, the birth of our twins, and now assisting our 100th employer.

The song ‘Ravijn’ from Veldhuis en Kemper could not be any more striking:

Maar als ik iets zou mogen zeggen
Het is geen rechte lijn
En de grens maar iets verleggen
Gaat maar zelden zonder pijn

Want de allermooiste bloemen
Groeien vlak langs het ravijn
En om die te kunnen plukken
Moet je durven bang te zijn

In vol ornaat door de mist
Liever dan je nooit vergist
Maak een sprong recht vooruit
Of vlieg de bochten lachend uit

Want als de mooiste bloemen groeien
Langs de rand van het ravijn
Dan moet daar ook het mooiste uitzicht
Op je stoutste dromen zijn.

It was nerve-wracking to take the leap, and I'm so glad I did! I feel incredibly grateful that I get to work every day to realize those wildest dreams. And we're not stopping there because there's still so much more impact to be made!

Just like Payroll Giving abroad, LoonGift in the Netherlands is becoming more and more of a standard (green) employment benefit, and the collective impact is growing. And all in a model where 100% of all donations go to charities, and we're proud of that!

It was essential to do this together. Together with the amazing team of The Social Handshake and with the support of countless dedicated individuals over the past years. And also at home, with the invaluable support of Stijn and the distraction of our now 4 wonderful children. There was so much life in the past 5 years. I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Here's to the next 5!

#moralambition #loongift #impact #greenemploymentbenefit #teamwork