Tapping into water efficiency

Philipe Van der Loo discusses all ime-saving quirks of Quooker

Tell us about your business – what inspired the idea and when did you start it? Or if you are working in a business that isn’t yours what made you choose to work in this and do you agree with its ethos?
Quooker was inspired by the desire to simplify everyday tasks. Started in 1970 by Henri Peteri, Quooker has always aimed to provide a more convenient, safe, and efficient way of getting boiling water directly from the tap. Today Quooker also offers filtered chilled water and sparkling water – all from one tap.

The fact that you can improve people’s lives conveniently and sustainably was something inspiring that got me from the day I got to know Quooker.

What do you consider to be your greatest personal and professional achievements?
From a professional perspective, Quooker’s greatest achievement is supplying boiling water from the tap – an invention that revolutionised kitchens worldwide. In the UAE, we are quite proud to see exponential growth in the last three years. On a personal level, though the enduring passion for innovation in everyday life would be considered an achievement, one should always be reinventing and looking to evolve every day.

What are the keys to creating a profitable business?
Commitment to innovation, quality, and customer service are important. Additionally, understanding consumer needs and creating a unique, high-demand product.

What were your biggest business challenges? How did you overcome them?
Like any other business, Quooker faced challenges such as market acceptance of a novel product and competition. Overcoming these involved strong marketing strategies and consistent product enhancement.

What advice were you given when you started and did it help?
You’ve got to commit to whatever you are doing (in life), strongly. Once that is done, consistency is key. The target is always the same, the way you get to it will always change. But keep the focus and consistency.

How do you manage the daily stress that comes with running a business?
I strongly believe in work/life integration (rather than work/life balance) if you want to achieve your best and perform high. Taking your job as a 9-5 will not let you perform at your best (which is fine, but don’t expect to get very far). You should maintain a healthy life and have more virtues than vicious habits. Take care of yourself, physically and mentally, and don’t blame others – it always starts with you. You can control yourself and not others.

How has the focus on sustainability changed certain rules and practices for you and your business?Quooker was developed with sustainability in mind from day one, so it’s in our DNA. We continue to develop new products with sustainability as our core element (yes, we are an original company) and at the same time, improve the energy efficiency and life cycle of existing products.

If you look back over your life and career, would you do anything differently?
It is very typical to reflect on past actions and stress about past events that you would have handled differently, but it is also important to remember that each decision, whether right or wrong, contributes to growth and learning.

Does anyone inspire you?
To me, inspiration often comes from the team, the community, and mostly from the perseverance of people around me who don’t have much opportunity, yet are hardworking and happy with what they have and do.

What is important to you?
Be a good individual, give more and take less. Some people only think about themselves and buy unnecessary or useless things in life to impress others (or to feed their ego for a temporary feel-good – selfish – moment).  It does not take much to say good morning to someone and treat everyone equally. I have always prioritised helping the ones who don’t have much and that a small help can mean a lot/make a big impact in their lives. More and more, I have less respect (and patience) for those who are asking for more when they already have too much (and are not helping others).

Do you often get questions about people wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Who am I to be followed? I believe that every individual’s journey is unique, and it is important for aspiring individuals to explore their passions, interests, and strengths. While I am flattered by the interest in my footsteps, I encourage others to forge their path and create their own unique experiences and successes.

I am always open to sharing my insights and experiences, as I believe in fostering a supportive and collaborative community.

Was your achievements easy? Did it come to you without any obstacles?
Every achievement comes with its own set of challenges. And you should be challenged every day, so you can perform at your best. Under pressure, you find focus and discover how much better you can be. Like Roger Federer once said: We should never take the easy way, there is no way around hard work – so, embrace it.