About Haven 4:
In 2012 I decided to set up my own business. Starting completely from scratch I tried to come up with an idea about how to live a more simple and fulfilling life.
I realised that the best things in my life were right on my doorstep: nature and community. Living right on the ‘wetering’ in Wassenaar I have always had a love of kayaking.
So on 18 October 2012 I wrote to the Chamber of Commerce to enquire into my business.
It turned out not to be as simple as I thought. I was told that it is not possible to rent a boat from the water which is owned by someone other than myself.
In the meantime, I had purchased a 3 person Canadian canoe and 2 kayaks. I was permitted to use the boats for my own personal use and so that is just what I did. I went out and enjoyed the water and starting talking to more people in the neighbourhood who took notice.
Soon, I discovered that while I was not allowed to rent my boats from the water, I could do so from land. So I started renting my boats directly from my house then set them in the water for people to use.
Hurray, it worked! I started my small boat rental business.
Then I was told I needed to get further permission from the Wassenaar Gemeente.
I live in a residence which is not the same as a property for commercial use. I was told to get planning permission to operate a business from my house. So I applied to the Gemeente for permission but this was rejected.
So it seemed that I was out of luck. Afloat without a paddle.
Until one day when I was paddling alone in the Haven after a hard day’s work. Feeling revived from the fresh air and exercise, I passed under the Johan de Wittstraat bridge. I realised that I could not give up on my idea. There has to be a way to share this wonderful activity to others in Wassenaar.
I went straight back to the Gemeente and found a mediator who helped me to fight for my small business idea. Within a week I discovered that it was absolutely permissible to have a home operated business. There are plenty of internet-based entrepreneurs who work from home and this was no different except I was renting boats.
And so the story continues…..
In 2013 I purchased a few more 2 person kayaks: The Pamlico Wilderness. Stable and graceful.
I continued to work at my regular job waiting and planning to start my boat hire business.
Meanwhile I tossed a tent in a boat and took my son on a glorious trip through Leiden and Kaag. We paddled to the Spijkerboor campground and set up camp along Kaag lake. A very special
adventure for us both spending time together on the open water and lakeside.
In 2014 I started getting a few clients without much advertising.
I bought a sail for the Pamlico which I used to sail with the windsurfers on Valkenburg lake. Great fun!
In 2015 more people started to cycle and walk along the Wassenaar harbour and past my house. I put up a sign and received many enquiries until I decided to take a month off with my son inter-railing around Europe. Upon my return I went back to my boss asking for a one year sabbatical from my regular job.
So with a year of freedom I spent a glorious summer at home and on the water meeting many people coming along to hire hire my boats.
I soon discovered there are many people who wish to enjoy the open water like me with a sense of adventure for paddling further afield.
Now in 2017 I finally feel ready to move my business forward.
I am excited about getting a small jetty outside my house to make it easier to put boats into the water.
Slowly but surely my life is taking me closer to the freedom and happiness of open waters.
I hope that many others will come and join me in paddling towards the summer.
Best wishes for success and happiness!
Hanneke Ferwerda
Kanoverhuurhaven4.weebly.comFacebookpagina Kanoverhuur Haven 4
In 2012 I decided to set up my own business. Starting completely from scratch I tried to come up with an idea about how to live a more simple and fulfilling life.
I realised that the best things in my life were right on my doorstep: nature and community. Living right on the ‘wetering’ in Wassenaar I have always had a love of kayaking.
So on 18 October 2012 I wrote to the Chamber of Commerce to enquire into my business.
It turned out not to be as simple as I thought. I was told that it is not possible to rent a boat from the water which is owned by someone other than myself.
In the meantime, I had purchased a 3 person Canadian canoe and 2 kayaks. I was permitted to use the boats for my own personal use and so that is just what I did. I went out and enjoyed the water and starting talking to more people in the neighbourhood who took notice.
Soon, I discovered that while I was not allowed to rent my boats from the water, I could do so from land. So I started renting my boats directly from my house then set them in the water for people to use.
Hurray, it worked! I started my small boat rental business.
Then I was told I needed to get further permission from the Wassenaar Gemeente.
I live in a residence which is not the same as a property for commercial use. I was told to get planning permission to operate a business from my house. So I applied to the Gemeente for permission but this was rejected.
So it seemed that I was out of luck. Afloat without a paddle.
Until one day when I was paddling alone in the Haven after a hard day’s work. Feeling revived from the fresh air and exercise, I passed under the Johan de Wittstraat bridge. I realised that I could not give up on my idea. There has to be a way to share this wonderful activity to others in Wassenaar.
I went straight back to the Gemeente and found a mediator who helped me to fight for my small business idea. Within a week I discovered that it was absolutely permissible to have a home operated business. There are plenty of internet-based entrepreneurs who work from home and this was no different except I was renting boats.
And so the story continues…..
In 2013 I purchased a few more 2 person kayaks: The Pamlico Wilderness. Stable and graceful.
I continued to work at my regular job waiting and planning to start my boat hire business.
Meanwhile I tossed a tent in a boat and took my son on a glorious trip through Leiden and Kaag. We paddled to the Spijkerboor campground and set up camp along Kaag lake. A very special
adventure for us both spending time together on the open water and lakeside.
In 2014 I started getting a few clients without much advertising.
I bought a sail for the Pamlico which I used to sail with the windsurfers on Valkenburg lake. Great fun!
In 2015 more people started to cycle and walk along the Wassenaar harbour and past my house. I put up a sign and received many enquiries until I decided to take a month off with my son inter-railing around Europe. Upon my return I went back to my boss asking for a one year sabbatical from my regular job.
So with a year of freedom I spent a glorious summer at home and on the water meeting many people coming along to hire hire my boats.
I soon discovered there are many people who wish to enjoy the open water like me with a sense of adventure for paddling further afield.
Now in 2017 I finally feel ready to move my business forward.
I am excited about getting a small jetty outside my house to make it easier to put boats into the water.
Slowly but surely my life is taking me closer to the freedom and happiness of open waters.
I hope that many others will come and join me in paddling towards the summer.
Best wishes for success and happiness!
Hanneke Ferwerda
Kanoverhuurhaven4.weebly.comFacebookpagina Kanoverhuur Haven 4