Building a €200 Million Company: The story behind the numbers

In the latest episode of Groeivoer (Food for Thought), our CEO, Pleun Opperman, shares her inspiring journey from starting as a young employee to the leader of Parakar. At the age of 29, she took over the reins from her father, Johan. What does it take to step into such a significant role at a young age? How do you lead a fast-growing company in a dynamic market? And what lessons has Pleun learned along the way?

Starting at the bottom
Pleun is no stranger to Parakar. She started working at the company at a young age, beginning at the bottom, where she had the opportunity to learn the business from the inside out. This gave her not only a deep understanding of the company but also of the people who keep it running. In the podcast, she shares how this experience prepared her for the leadership role that was ahead.

A transition of power and emotional decisions
The transition of leadership from Pleun’s father to her wasn’t an easy decision. In the podcast, she looks back on the summer family dinner where the final decision was made. It was a valuable moment, not just for her but for her father as well, who was handing over the business he had built. Pleun openly shares how this decision impacted her both personally and professionally.

New leadership and letting go of control
Pleun’s vision of leadership differs from her father’s. Pleun brings a modern and transparent style to the management team. She discusses what it’s like to lead as a young CEO and how she learned to let go of control, trusting her team to make decisions on their own.

Setbacks and recovery
Like any business, Parakar has faced challenges. In the podcast, Pleun talks about a period of revenue decline and the strategies she implemented to get the company back on track. Her approach is characterized by transparency and open communication within the team.

Vision for the future
What does the future hold for Parakar? Pleun outlines an ambitious plan where growth, innovation, and team engagement are at the forefront. While her father now plays more of an advisory role, his vision continues to inspire Pleun as she leads Parakar into the future.

Want to learn more about how Pleun Opperman leads Parakar and her plans for the future? Listen to the full episode of Groeivoer:

• Listen on Spotify
• Watch on YouTube (Youtube allows you to put automatic subtitles on to translate the interview into your preferred language.)