Sustainable business with impact

"I am Tessa Bloembergen, an inspired facilitator and designer with a passion for sustainability, co-creation and driving positive change. With my background in architecture and expertise in serious gaming, workshop design and facilitation, I help impact entrepreneurs, idealists and future dreamers take steps towards a more sustainable, playful and authentic world.

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I am the founder of Archites, where I support organizations and start-ups in realizing their vision within a circular and sustainable economy. Through co-creation, online workshops and serious games, I focus on driving and positively influencing various transitions. Think of the circular transition, but also the social transition that comes with it.

Thus, I design and facilitate games and workshops to promote climate resilience, circular (chain) cooperation and financing, but also for example psychological safety in the workplace. My work revolves around creating impactful projects in which teams can achieve the biggest positive changes within these transitions together with and for their clients.

Studying in Delft has taught me a thing or two about patriarchal systems that we unfortunately still have to deal with. I went through many less pleasant experiences there as a woman. When I just started working-that was in salaried employment as an architect-I was sometimes mistaken for the secretary and often not taken seriously. Instead of getting angry, I learned where I can influence myself within the system, both in my mindset and in my attitude. With that too, I try to bring about positive change.

My experience as a female entrepreneur has been very positive, though. I didn't start full time entrepreneurship until I was 28. Since becoming an entrepreneur I am much more confident, know who I am as a person and what gives me energy. In addition, I have been able to build a fine network of clients and co-entrepreneurs with people who share my values. Therefore, I choose my type of collaborations very consciously - if there is no click on a personal level, I prefer to link that assignment to other entrepreneurs around me. I believe projects are more successful (and fun!) when we are not only allowed to bring the "formal professional side" of ourselves into work. One way to accomplish that is to dare to be powerfully vulnerable and show your full person."