Biography
Finding Purpose Through Change
My story
My name is Marijke. I was born and raised in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and moved to Sweden in the early 1980s. I initially worked as a nanny, but soon found employment in the hotel and restaurant industry—a fantastic career that lasted ten years, where I eventually became an assistant restaurant manager.
When I became pregnant with my second child, I decided to take a break from my professional life. During that period, I began studying and trained to become a certified Skåne guide. I worked with city tours and guided viewings of historical buildings, such as the City Hall in Helsingborg and its surroundings. History has always been close to my heart, and I am grateful for the education I received from some of Helsingborg’s most prominent historians.
During the H99 housing exhibition in Helsingborg, I was made responsible for the guide training programs and was also involved in an exhibition about Carl Linnaeus—an exciting and educational time. My next career step was a position with the municipality as an information and business assistant, where I had the honor of showing and sharing the history of the City Hall with visitors.
Entering the Corporate World
During this time, my life situation was changing, and that was when Unilever Sweden contacted me. Their new CEO in Helsingborg wanted to learn Swedish from a native Dutch speaker—and that is where I came into the picture. This led to more assignments for Unilever, and eventually, the idea for my own company, Relocation Service Sweden, was born. I founded it in early 2002.
I had the privilege of collaborating with several fantastic companies in Helsingborg, Lund, and Malmö—including IKEA, Inter IKEA Systems, Saint-Gobain Ecophon, Skanska Vinci, Zoégas, Nestlé, Cap Gemini, SWEP International, and Haldex International. Over the years, I have met hundreds of families from all over the world, and some of them have become good friends. It was an incredibly enriching time in my life—a career filled with meetings, cultural exchange, and personal development.
A Turning Point
In 2018, I began to feel a longing for a deeper balance in life. It was an emotionally turbulent period, especially when we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Hera, that same year. Yet, the grief also opened a new path for me. Through a friend, I was recommended to read books on epigenetics, quantum physics, neuroscience, philosophy, and spirituality—subjects that captured my interest and changed the way I look at life. I realized that we humans carry an enormous inner power and that we actually can change our lives.
One of my greatest mentors has been Dr. Joe Dispenza, whose masterclasses and meditation techniques became crucial to my own personal development. Life took me in a new direction. I continued to run my company on a smaller scale, and during the pandemic, I moved my office home and began to delve even deeper into personal growth. I took an online mentorship and coaching course—a turning point in my life. It became clear to me that my passion lay in giving back, sharing my experiences, and inspiring people who are seeking change, balance, or a new direction in life.
Volunteering in Portugal
In 2024, I made a decision that had long been in my heart: to move to Portugal and volunteer at the shelter where our own dog, Hera, had lived before we adopted her. It was a dream come true. I wanted to show my gratitude to the Bianca organization and the staff who had taken care of her. I was curious and wanted to learn more about what it is like to work as a volunteer and care for 400 dogs and about 200 cats.
Those months were filled with hard work, love, joy, sorrow, and learning. It became one of the most profoundly moving times of my life. I learned a lot about myself and gained experience working with dogs that had been subjected to trauma, socializing them so they could be put up for adoption. I have an enormous amount of respect for the staff and all the volunteers who daily care for hundreds of animals with endless love and dedication. It was a gift to be part of everything I experienced—friendship, respect, humility, and all the new experiences.
New Beginnings
When I returned home at the end of 2024, my life had changed, and I felt it was time for something new: my dream of creating a space for personal development, transformation, and life balance—New Beginnings, my new company! A space that is about listening inward, having the courage to start over, and finding your way back to yourself—no matter where you are in life.
I love meeting people; they inspire me. I feel deep empathy and a strong desire to help my clients, giving them the tools, methods, and above all, the wisdom to transform their lives, achieve what they desire, and feel free from what is no longer relevant to them.
In my multidimensional company, I meet people for conversations who, deep down, desire a change in their lives. I contribute knowledge based on science, inspiration, tools, and spiritual guidance, along with a great deal of my own experience. It is about gaining insights about oneself, taking part in inspiring conversations filled with tears, joy, and laughter, seeing things from a different perspective, and gaining a better understanding of one’s own life situation.
Quotes & Philosophy
"By changing your thoughts, focus, and actions, you are ready to receive something new and better in your life—a healthier lifestyle, a new job, a change in your relationships, or most importantly, a change in the relationship you have with yourself."
"I believe in the possibility of change—that we can all shape our lives anew, regardless of where we are."
"Giving back—sharing my experiences and knowledge—became my calling."
"The way we communicate with ourselves internally is of great importance, as it forms the foundation for how we communicate outwardly."
"We all have the power within us to change, achieve our dreams, or transform our life situation."
