“I’m the fifth generation in our family business,” Roy says proudly. “We’ve been around since 1861.”
That’s impressive — but what stands out even more is how naturally entrepreneurship seems to come to him. As a child, he would already tag along to buying meetings, preferring those over sitting in the classroom. “It’s in my blood. Selling, creating, running a business — I still love it.”

According to Roy, his mother was the driving force behind the family business. “She was sharp, business-minded, and had a great sense of timing. My father more or less grew into the company, but she made the difference.” That instinct for timing and entrepreneurship clearly runs in the family — Roy took over and transformed the business into a modern retail organization with multiple concepts.

The Birth of La Piola
In Roermond, Roy runs not only a 4,500-square-meter Intersport Megastore (featured in our latest issue!) but also a women’s concept store housed in the city’s oldest building.

“The idea came from a desire to do something new — something beyond sports. I wanted to create a store with atmosphere, emotion, and a personal touch.” That vision became La Piola, a boutique where fashion meets gifts, home décor, and organic wines.

The name came to him while traveling through Italy, during dinner in Piemonte. “La Piola means a place where people gather to eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company. That’s exactly the feeling I wanted to create.”

The store was set to open in March 2020 — just one week before the COVID lockdowns began. “We had just invested several hundred thousand euros, and then everything shut down.” Yet Roy persisted. “Today, the store has earned a loyal following in Roermond. It’s a little gem I’m truly proud of.”

Seeing Opportunities Instead of Threats
What’s striking is how Roy deals with adversity. When he first heard that Decathlon was opening next door, he saw it as a threat. “I even tried to challenge it legally. But in the end, I realized: our customers are different — or perhaps future customers. We complement each other.”

That pragmatic outlook also shapes his view of the future. His children are still studying, and it’s uncertain whether they’ll one day take over the business. “If they want to, I’m open to it. But there’s no pressure. As long as I enjoy what I do, I’ll keep going. I’m 66, but I still feel like an entrepreneur.”

Roy runs the company together with his partner Anita, who has worked alongside him for 31 years. “We bring out the best in each other. She now manages much of the buying and is truly my right hand.”

“Stay True to Yourself — and Dare to Choose”
Roy’s advice to other entrepreneurs?
“Above all, stay true to yourself. Of course, listen to others — but you’re the one making the call. You need to be willing to take risks. And when it works out, you’ll be the one smiling the widest.”

Listen to the PodCAST

Source: Textilia