At BEX, it’s not only about what we do, but also about who we are. That’s why this summer we’re putting the people behind BEX in the spotlight.

Because what do our colleagues do when the laptop closes? From climbing mountains to exploring the underwater world, searching for vinyl records to capturing the perfect picture: outside of work, everyone has their own passions. And without even realizing it, those hobbies often bring new energy, creativity and inspiration back to work.

Travelling, hiking and diving with Lieke✈️

For Lieke, Social Media & Content Marketer, her love for travelling started during her Tourism Management studies. An internship in London was cut short because of COVID, but it made one thing clear: she wanted to see more of the world.

And that is exactly what she has done. From Thailand and Guatemala to Namibia and Peru, every destination feels like a new adventure. She especially loves less-known places, because they often still feel untouched. During her travels, she also discovered a new hobby: diving.

Her holidays are quickly filled with adventure. She loves travelling with a backpack, a 4x4 with a rooftop tent, or a camper. Hiking, discovering new places and enjoying nature are always part of the journey. After an active day, she likes to relax with a game and a good glass of wine. Usually together with her boyfriend, but last year she also travelled solo through South America for three months.

Lieke: “Travelling has helped me become more creative and open-minded. I bring that with me in my work as well. It’s extra fun to create content for a product that is all about holidays and to bring my own enthusiasm for travelling into what I write.”

Lieke’s tip 

Her number one travel recommendation? Peru. The incredible landscapes, endless hiking routes, and friendly locals made a big impression on her.

Lieke: “The five-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is a must if you visit Peru. But Huaraz, the hiking paradise of Peru, is also a place you shouldn’t miss.”

Mountain peaks and sunrises with Cynthia⛰️

Where Lieke explores the world with her backpack, Cynthia, Content Marketer for the French and German market, finds her adventures mainly in the mountains. Hiking, trail running, and landscape photography are the perfect combination for her.

Her love for hiking started during a three-month trip through New Zealand. Walking became her favourite way to discover the country. Today, Norway, Scotland, and Switzerland are high on her list of favourite destinations.

Cynthia often goes hiking by herself. With a backpack full of snacks, her camera, and an early alarm, she starts her route before sunrise. For her, it’s not only about reaching the destination, but also enjoying the journey.

Cynthia: “Hiking has taught me to keep going. When you’re halfway up a mountain and still have hundreds of metres to climb, giving up is not really an option. You just take the next step. That same mindset helps me with bigger projects and deadlines too.”

Although she often starts a hike alone, she rarely finishes without meeting new people. A quick question about the route, sharing snacks during a break, or congratulating each other after reaching the top often leads to great conversations. Some connections stay online, while others turn into new hiking plans.

For colleagues who want to start hiking, Cynthia has some advice:

Cynthia: “Say goodbye to your flip-flops and hello to hiking boots that probably cost more than your first car. Learn to appreciate protein bars that all somehow taste like cardboard, and remember that ‘you’re almost there’ is one of the biggest lies in nature.”

Searching for hidden music treasures with Danell🎵

For Danell, CMS Website Specialist, a free day often means searching for new music. What started with a few vinyl records from the 1980s that he found in the attic has grown into a collection of more than 200 records.

Danell: “I’ve always been interested in retro tech and physical media. Streaming services are convenient, but you don’t really own anything. With a record, it’s different: it’s truly yours. You take the time to listen to a full album and you also have something beautiful at home.”

The best part for Danell is the search itself. He regularly travels to different cities to visit record stores and browse through boxes full of vinyl. Often, he goes in without looking for anything specific and comes home with an unexpected find.

Danell: “By visiting record stores, you often discover parts of a city you wouldn’t normally see. Deventer is a great example. You suddenly walk into a street or a shop that you would have otherwise walked past.”

His broad taste in music also leads to fun conversations with colleagues. There is always a song or artist someone has a story about. And a competitive game of Hitster? Danell is always up for it. Whether he can handle losing is still up for debate…

His tip for colleagues: make a day out of it. Take the train, explore a city, and simply walk into a record store. For a great store nearby, he recommends Vinylparadijs in Geesteren. Plato (various cities) and Concerto (Amsterdam) are also high on his list.

Seeing the world through a different lens with Dennis📸

Dennis is Brand Designer at BEX. In his role, he mainly works on photo, video, and animation projects. What he loves most is turning complex topics into stories that people understand and remember.

That same passion for storytelling can be found in his biggest hobby: photography. For Dennis, a great photo always starts with really looking. His camera goes almost everywhere with him. Whether he is travelling, walking, or photographing a wedding, he is always looking for that one moment that tells a story.

His love for photography started at a young age. His father worked for the navy and often brought back special items from his travels. One of them was a camera that was quite advanced at the time. At first, Dennis photographed everything he saw, but he quickly discovered how special it is to capture a moment that will never happen again.

Dennis: “What still fascinates me is that one image can tell a whole story. I keep challenging myself to look at things from a different perspective and capture the moment others might miss.”

His camera is almost always with him. During holidays, day trips, or even a simple walk, he is constantly looking for interesting compositions, beautiful light, or unexpected angles. His partner is often the person in front of the camera, and luckily, she has gotten quite used to it by now.

Dennis: “Photography has taught me to look first before taking a picture. What story do I want to tell? What makes this moment special? That way of thinking also helps me in my work at BEX.”

Besides his work, Dennis has been photographing weddings across the Netherlands for around ten years. This has taken him to many beautiful locations and introduced him to lots of new people. Dennis: “I think I’ve seen more castles from the inside than I can count,” he says with a laugh.

He also creates short films for friends who recently had a baby. These projects are especially meaningful because he captures memories that families can look back on for many years.

His advice for colleagues is simple: take the time to really look. Dennis: “Don’t just capture what a place looks like, but also how it feels. Those are the photos that stay valuable years later.”

Our people make Team BEX

Outside of work, we do the things that give us energy. And those experiences are something we bring with us every day.