Dries Henau - Yuri Vandenbogaerde

Speaker
Dutch
English
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Who are Dries Henau and Yuri Vandenbogaerde?

Dries Henau and Yuri Vandenbogaerde, who have shared joys and sorrows privately for fifteen years, founded WASBAR in 2012. Three years later, they sold this unique concept - a cross between a snack bar and launderette - to Top Brands, the group that also has the Pizza Hut, Boulangerie Paul and Ellis brands in its portfolio. In 2018, the entrepreneurial couple repeated this feat and put Chez Claire on the map in no time. A year later, they sold this retail concept based on luxury eclairs to patisserie market leader La Lorraine, which today sells the refined pastries in Delhaize stores.

In 2015, Henau and Vandenbogaerde founded the PR agency Ambassy, which they sold to Duval Union in 2019. The PR agency was later renamed MMBSY. In their WASBAR period, the duo also wrote 4 books for their target group: Make a Plan; Mind your Manners; Plan your Holiday, and Fix it Fast. Just in case it wasn't already clear: the two know how to get things done.

Today, 'The Brand Guys' are doing what they like best: developing brands and concepts for companies and giving lectures on entrepreneurship, brand development & storytelling. Dries and Yuri are known for their contemporary take on branding and marketing; both men are in touch with modern society and possess the courage needed to act on their beliefs. Two men from whom everyone can learn something. 

    How to make a strong brand from your business?

    For the second consecutive time, Dries and Yuri managed to set up a business in no time at all. WASBAR opened three branches in two years’ time and was sold to Top Brands (Pizza Hut, PAUL) after three years. And things went even faster with Chez Claire. Within less than a year, three shops opened in Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels Airport, and the concept was sold to La Lorraine (Panos)

    Both companies very quickly became genuine brands with their own distinct identity, interior and experience, and soon became the talk of the town How do you make a brand grow so quickly? What determines a strong brand? How can you turn your company into a brand? And how on earth do you make the big players take notice of your business within a year and create a saleable brand?

    The real ‘Why’: why we go into business and why our company exists

    What is purpose? And why is it important for your company? This lecture involves searching for the real ‘Why’: why do we go into business and why our company exists. There is also a workshop on implementing the findings within the company. Ideal for the whole team/company.

    A deep dive into the impact of emotion on the growth of a brand

    Dries and Yuri are born storytellers. With their own brands WASBAR and Chez Claire, they conquered the hearts of many Flemish people in no time. From their agency The Brand Guys, they have already helped many brands build love brands and successful concepts. Their contemporary view on branding and storytelling provides a clear vision in this keynote on what exactly is the magic mix that ensures that a brand is made or broken. They go deeper into how purpose is gaining importance in entrepreneurship and how you as a brand quickly stand out when you do business or work from your passion. No handbook marketing or difficult words, but clear do's, don'ts, tips & tricks from their experience and from the gut.

    The UnAverage Keynote

    "The Unaverage keynote" is an inspiring 40-minute narrative that will change your view of the world and its brands today. Discover how you as a company can escape the world that has become universally 'bleh' and how to stand out in a market where everyone is copying more and more. Dries and Yuri will tell you about the biggest dangers of being an 'average' brand and explain why it is essential to stand out above the crowd. Get inspired with practical insights, examples and strategies to transform your brand or concept and stay or become relevant.

Hi Dries & Yuri, thanks for the enjoyable presentation at yesterday's Work Smarter event. I really enjoyed it and am a fan of your positive energy and spontaneity! Great learnings and particularly good to see that humour on stage is not a bad thing.

Maarten Deroey

Founder Slowify

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We were very enthusiastic about the keynote presented by Dries Henau and Yuri Vandenbogaerde. It was a fascinating and interesting evening, with a healthy serving of humour!

Hilde Peumans

C-Mine Genk

We were very satisfied with the presentation of Dries and Yuri: interactive, visually appealing, spontaneous and humorous, but also with good practical tips. This was an ideal for our event, in which our client focused on professional customers such as managers of young businesses and start-ups.

Jolien Monnissen

Pubmarket ifv BKCP

We really enjoyed the presentation by Dries and Yuri! It was accessible for everyone and the audience listened very attentively.

Isabelle Ockier

Ronde Tafel Deinze

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Superb presentation! Dries and Yuri were BRILLIANT!!

Boudewijn Dupont

Managing Director SIM Belgium nv/sa

The reviews of last month's Vlerick Retail Platform were very clear: the keynote of Dries and Yuri was very well appreciated; thank you once again! A snapshot of the reactions: unbelievable; well delivered, with great tips; authentic; very inspiring; dynamic; a true story of true innovation; infectious…

Astrid De Wael

Vlerick Retail Platform

Both men performed perfectly during the award ceremony at the ‘De Leukste Winkel van 2015’ (the best shop of 2015) event. Their keynote was an exciting double act, which contained a lot of humour. The audience was really impressed and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Antoinette Van Tongeren

Netherlands-based NDC Mediagroep

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