Hanna Middeljans
“We care about our world in every possible way: our clients, the environment, and of course, our people.”
Hanna Middeljans is co-owner of Natural Cosmetics Holland. “Against expectations because growing up, I always wanted to be a firefighter or join the police” Hanna laughs as she looks back. “I wanted to be a tough guy, and because I didn’t feel much for girly stuff, I decided to enroll a tech education right after graduation."
At that time, she couldn’t imagine ever being involved in cosmetics. "Absolutely right,"
Hanna confirms, “however, I did create my first lotion at the age of 16, together with a friend. That particular friend had a garden filled with St. John's wort, and we were just wondering what you could do with it. It just so happens we found a little book that had a recipe for lotion in it, so we bought the rest of the ingredients and started cooking."
When the time came to choose an internship, there happened to be a cosmetics company that was hiring. “It immediately spoke to me, and ever since that internship, I’ve been hooked on cosmetics. After finishing my education, I started working as a product-developer at several companies. During these days, I saw the rising of natural cosmetics. I’m convinced that natural cosmetics are the future, so when I got the chance to become co-owner of Natural Cosmetics Holland, I took it.”
At Natural Cosmetics Holland, it’s all about sustainability. “We take it much further than just creating natural cosmetics,” Hanna says excitedly. “We care about our world in every possible way: our clients, the environment, and of course, our people. Mainly the reason why we work with people who have had a distance to the labor market.”
“We have only been active for two years, and already we’re seeing that our concept is working,” Hanna continues. “Consumers want more than just a good product: they want a product that is good for the world. This kind of product you can only create when the whole company is built around sustainability and Natural Cosmetics Holland is just that."
Jolanda Brakenhoff
“There is a lot of understanding, patience, and appreciation from the staff at Natural Cosmetics Holland for people like me. I’m right where I belong!”
Jolanda Brakenhoff has been with Natural Cosmetics Holland since 1 May 2019. “After spending over 38 years operating a sewing machine in a workshop, a whole new world has opened up for me here,” Jolanda tells excitedly. “I loved working in the workshop, so when that came to an end, I was emotional and had no clue what to do next.”
Jolanda spends one year working at an assembly and packing company. “After that year, IJmond Werkt! obliged me to do a course, but I wasn’t interested,” Jolanda speaks her mind. “Today I’m really happy I did the course though because I came across a vacancy at Natural Cosmetics Holland during the very first class. I got in touch with them right away.”
During her first visit to Natural Cosmetics Holland, Jolanda knew: she wanted to work here! “It wasn’t much at the time,” she recalls. “There was no production line yet, but I could see how things were going to be. Let me tell you: it’s even better than I expected.”
“Every day I go to work with a smile on my face,” Jolanda gloats. “There is always room for getting used to new things. “There is a lot of understanding, patience, and appreciation from the staff at Natural Cosmetics Holland for people like me. I’m right where I belong!”
Hamid Haddad Molaian
“I’m hoping I can stay here for as long as I like because there’s never a dull moment at Natural Cosmetics Holland.”
Hamid Haddad Molaian has been working at Natural Cosmetics Holland as a production work since the beginning of 2018. “I’m getting my paycheck through IJmond Werkt!, but I’ve felt a part of Natural Cosmetics Holland since day one,” Hamid tells with a smile on his face.
Hamid is originally from Iran, where he worked as a welder. Hamid: “I’ve got the required documents to work as a welder here in Holland as well, but unfortunately, I got turned down. Right after that, I started working as a cabinetmaker.” After 17 years, that assignment came to an end, and Hamid got a job as a packaging worker. “That was not me,” Hamid laughs, “way too simple.”
Through IJmond Werkt! Hamid got the opportunity to do internships at several companies, but things didn’t go that way. Natural Cosmetics Holland was the first company Hamid stepped foot in, and he liked it so much, the other internships were no longer necessary. “The people are so kind to me here,” Hamid explains, “Everybody helps out everybody, I have a real sense of responsibility."
“When I started working here, I didn’t know a single thing about the job or how to operate the machines,” Hamid continues, “but because everyone is so helpful, I’m learning little by little. “I’m hoping I can stay here for as long as I like because there’s never a dull moment at Natural Cosmetics Holland.”