It’s Monday morning in Cornjum. Not the kitchen table, but the office. At the desk, behind the computer, sits Sjoukje de Vries (57). Invoices, HR matters, bookkeeping – for most people not the most exciting part of a company, but for Sjoukje the very core of stability. She smiles: “If this doesn’t run smoothly, nothing else can.”
Next to her – though always on the move – is Gerrit Jan. He sees opportunities, always full of ideas, a man just as comfortable in the workshop as he is on the road to a meeting. But wherever he goes, it’s Sjoukje who makes sure the foundation remains steady.
And whether it’s in the business or back home in the kitchen: she’s the one who makes sure there’s food on the table. Quite literally.
The Power Behind the Scenes
Where Gerrit Jan is visible – in the workshop, with clients, out in the field – Sjoukje works behind the scenes. Her domain is administration: from invoicing and payroll to bookkeeping and personnel management. Tasks that never stop, where reliability is key.
But her role goes beyond numbers. As co-owner, she is Gerrit Jan’s rational sparring partner. When he’s ready to act quickly and instinctively, she asks the critical questions: Does this add up? Is it feasible? Should we really do this? It’s a balance that works – his entrepreneurial drive and her grounded realism keep each other steady.
From Small to Larger
De Vries Cornjum once began small. A handful of people, everything in plain sight. Today, the company has grown into an organization operating at home and abroad – with more staff, more clients, and, of course, more administration.
That brings new challenges: how do you keep oversight when there are more people, more rules, and more paperwork? For Sjoukje, it means even more structure and coordination. “You can’t do everything yourself anymore. You have to learn to trust others and let go.”
She describes the arrival of Arnold as a major step forward. “He brings calm and oversight, a real asset. It gives Gerrit Jan and me the space to look ahead, instead of always being caught up in the rush of the day.”
Growing Older, Finding Balance
Two daughters now live on their own, the youngest still at home. The house feels different – and so does the business. The years of pioneering, of constantly pushing forward while raising a family, are behind her. Now there’s more space, more clarity.
“The company has grown up, and so have we,” says Sjoukje. “You don’t have to be everywhere at once anymore. There are more people taking responsibility. And that finally creates space for private life. And that feels good.”
Future and Ambition
Yet despite the calmer tone, there is no standstill. The collaboration with Hanze Wetlands and the founding of De Vries Hanze BV marked a new chapter. Plans for an expanded workshop in Cornjum are on the table – necessary given the growing demand and international reach.
But the mood is different than in the past. There’s no rush, no hurry. Instead, there’s trust. Trust that the organization is strong enough, that the culture of groundedness remains, that quality continues to come first. Trust that future generations will find their own path, inside or outside the company. “We want to keep doing what we do best: delivering solid work, with care for nature and people. And now we can dream ahead, without haste.”
Who is Sjoukje?
Beyond her role in the company, Sjoukje is above all a people person. She loves to sing, enjoys an afternoon of shopping, and treasures weekend trips with her daughters – whether city breaks or days at the horse shows, where the girls compete in jumping. She is social, easy to talk to, and loves a sense of togetherness.
There is more than just the business: for Sjoukje, life is just as much about doing things together, creating memories, and enjoying the moments outside of De Vries Cornjum.
