Building a Future-Ready Family Business Together

This article appeared in the summer issue of Intobusiness Haarlemmermeer-Schiphol.

In the fashion world, changes come thick and fast. Trends come and go, profit margins are under pressure, and in recent years, the retail sector has had to reinvent itself time and again to remain relevant. Yet there are companies that manage to stay the course amid this dynamic environment. The Blok fashion house is a wonderful example of this.

Over the years, the family-owned business—with locations in Uithoorn and Amsterdam-Buitenveldert—has not only built a strong reputation in fashion but also a network of long-standing relationships. One of these is its partnership with Guidon—a collaboration that goes far beyond accounting. “Our DNA is a perfect match,” says Anne Marije
Sparnaaij, who, together with her cousin Joost Röling, leads the company as part of the third generation of management. “We have a similar approach to business: personal, engaged, and focused on the long term.” That partnership began as early as 2014, and Guidon has been the fashion house’s regular accountant since 2019. “It felt familiar right from the start,” says Anne Marije. “Not just because of their expertise, but also because they really helped us think through how we wanted to develop as a company. For example, when we decided to completely redesign the store on Gelderlandplein by 2025—making it more luxurious and stylish.” Guidon thoroughly analyzed the costs of this substantial investment. That gave us confidence.”

Digitization in a Changing Retail Market
This investment followed a period in which the retail sector came under significant pressure. The pandemic accelerated changes that had already been evident for some time: consumers began shopping differently, processes had to become more efficient, and digitization became increasingly important. According to Joost, this presented a major shared
challenge. “Retail is an industry where you have to keep adapting constantly. Especially during that period, we wanted to be able to respond more quickly and gain greater insight into our processes.” Hanneke van den Bos, an accountant at Guidon, also plays an important role in this as the designated point of contact. “Many processes used to be handled manually.
By automating more intelligently, you create greater clarity and peace of mind within the organization, and you’re better able to plan ahead.” According to Anne Marije, the added value lay in that combination of advice and commitment. “They really looked at how processes could better align with the day-to-day operations of our stores.”

Support for Changing the Business Model
Another important step was the transition to “steward ownership” as a business model. This model focuses not on maximizing shareholder value, but on the continuity of the business and the long-term preservation of its mission. This topic is becoming increasingly relevant for family businesses, notes Joke Ruijters, account manager at Guidon. “Many entrepreneurs are thinking about how they can pass their business on to the next generation in a healthy way, without everything
revolving around sales or short-term returns.” Joost: “It aligns with how we do business. You don’t just look at today, but also at what you want your organization to continue to represent. That provides peace of mind for employees and continuity for customers.” Guidon provided both substantive and strategic guidance throughout the process. “We’re happy to serve as a sounding board for these kinds of questions,” says Hanneke. “It’s great that we can discuss everything openly and constructively.”

Building for the Long Term
According to the four of them, mutual trust remains at the heart of their partnership. “You build a good partnership over the years,” says Joost. “Ultimately, it comes down to the little things: a sense of humor, keeping your word, and understanding each other.” For Anne Marije, that may well be the most important reason why the partnership has lasted so long. “You just know when a partner is truly standing by your side. That’s what makes all the difference in the end.”

TEXT by Judith Truijens | PHOTOS by Michel ter Wolbeek

MODEHUIS BLOK
Amstelplein 19, Uithoorn
Gelderlandplein 25, Amsterdam-Buitenveldert
0297 – 56 39 66
modehuisblok.nl