Arend Kisteman

Biography

“Hold your head high, but never look down at anyone”

In 2010, I set up my own business, an artisan bakery in Zwolle city centre. As a baker, you get to talk to lots of different people and find out what is on their minds. Over the years, I got more involved in the baking industry and went looking for solutions to problems that my colleagues and I faced. I became chairman of the craft bakers' trade association, as well as getting a seat on the main board of MKB-Nederland.

SMEs

As an entrepreneur, you have to stand up for yourself and make changes yourself. With bakers dreading huge price spikes during the energy crisis, I started talking to officials and MPs, and it left me wanting more. As an MP, you can really stand up for people's interests, in my case those of small business owners in particular.

Eliminating hierarchies

As a former business owner and administrator, I have a wealth of practical experience. In my business, I made sure to eliminate hierarchies wherever I could. I do my work with my head held high, while never looking down at anyone. Everyone is important and everyone matters, regardless of their status or position.

Padel and baking

In my spare time, I love playing padel. I have since left professional baking behind, but I still regularly bake biscuits at home with my children.