Lisa Haagedoorn
Since I (Lisa, nice to meet you) made the decision to join our family business full time in 2016, I have been enjoying the best job there is.
As a little girl, I only wanted one thing: to become a teacher. Once I finished secondary school, I started teacher training straight away. Whilst there, I learnt how to use your voice, communication and attitude to achieve what you want. Then the penny dropped, I didn’t want to stand in front of a class, I wanted to make it possible to discuss behaviour. I left teacher training and began studying pedagogy.
During my third year of study, I had the opportunity to start my own business. I started Opvoedsupport (Education Support) and guided children at primary school and/or at home. I also supported parents with questions about parenting and teachers with questions about behaviour in the classroom.
I was never interested in the hotel as a child. I was actually ashamed and wanted nothing more than to live in a house and simply open the front door myself if someone came round. To get to our house, we had to go through reception. Employees always had questions or comments, so I never got ‘home’, but was put to work. The hotel operates 24/7. As a child I didn’t understand that.
In 2012, my mother became the sole owner of the hotel. Together with Johan, she raised the hotel to the next level. I spontaneously fell in love with the business. It came as a surprise. I was still studying and began to have huge doubts about whether there was a role for me at the hotel.
My mother had some wise words of advice for me about my doubts. “The hotel isn't going anywhere. You can always join the hotel later.”
Despite the fact that I very much enjoyed working as a pedagogue, in the end it didn’t make me happy. In 2016 I made the best decision of my life! I feel very privileged that I enjoy my work so much every day.
In 2023, I became director and owner together with Johan. Hotel Asterisk is a family business and that is what makes us unique. We need each other to make Asterisk successful. Johan and I have two totally different personalities and therefore our own field of work within the hotel.
I have the best job in the world and get to share it with my little brother, whom I am very fond of! I am proud to represent the third generation of Asterisk and thus continue the life's work of our grandfather and mother.
Besides working at the hotel, I enjoy taking care of my two daughters: Sophie and Olivia. My daughters can regularly be found at the hotel. I like to take them with me. I find it very special to see how hotel guests react to them. People always find it special to see that the family is “real” and present.
When I was pregnant with Sophie, in corona time, I started sewing as a hobby and since then I make all the clothes for my daughters myself. I even have my own label.
Also in love, I am a lucky man with a very nice husband, Marc, who I am very fond of and who provides a stable home base in my irregular life.
I look forward to meeting and welcoming you to our hotel and telling you all about my city. I hope your stay with us will feel like second home. So, welcome to hotel Asterisk.
