Skip to content

#111 - Building From the Roots Up: PDA, Curiosity, and Running a Business Your Way

March 14, 2026 · 26 min

Show notes

Send us Fan Mail

I'm getting personal in this episode of Pattern Shift — recorded from my brand new praktijk in Rotterdam. I trace why I bootstrapped from 300 euros, refused investors, never built a conventional team, and kept rebuilding the brand. I name Pathological Demand Avoidance directly and connect it to my lifelong distrust of the ready-made — in business, fashion, and a painting I found on the side of the road last week. From sour puss to happy kitty: on curiosity as the antidote to cynicism, and three questions to find out where you're running on borrowed structure.

Support the show

☆ other ways to SUPPORT THE SHOW ☆

If you appreciate the free content and the work we put into this podcast, consider showing your support in a way that feels right to you. This could be by sharing episodes with friends, signing up for our newsletter, or making a small monthly contribution by clicking the Support the Show link. Your support keeps the podcast going and aligns with the values we share. Thank you for being a part of this movement!

☞ GET MAIL ☜☆ SIGN UP HERE! ☆

☞ FIND OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS IN OUR COMMUNITY SPACE ☜☆JOIN THE CONVERSATION☆


Have a question? Want to offer your opinion? Do you have an idea for a guest or topic? [email protected] or leave me a voice message!

All episodes of Pattern Shift

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.