From Client to CEO: How One Woman Saved a Belgian Fashion House

Dr. Niklas Richter · 2026-10-22

Nicky Vankets spent over 25 years building his name as a Belgian designer. But behind the success were tough years, a family business bankruptcy, and even a moment when his suitcase was packed to leave. Then Daphné Vandenplas came into his life. She saw not just the designer, but what House of Vankets could become. Today she's CEO, and together they're combining creativity and entrepreneurship in a completely different way. In this episode, they talk openly about what that really involves: cash flow and profitability, hiring and firing, going bankrupt, trusting the wrong people, starting over, and admitting you can't do everything yourself. They also share their big plans for House of Vankets and why Nicky is already thinking about a company that must one day continue without him. It's a conversation about entrepreneurship as it truly is: building, making mistakes, losing people, getting back up, and sometimes realizing it's time to do things completely differently. ### The Realities of Running a Fashion Business Running a fashion label isn't just about design. Daphné and Nicky dive into the nitty-gritty of cash flow and profitability. They discuss how they manage the constant pressure of paying bills while investing in growth. "Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business," Daphné says. "You can have the best designs in the world, but if you can't pay your team, you're done." They also get candid about hiring and firing. Building a team is one of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship. Nicky admits, "I've made mistakes in trusting people too quickly. It cost us, but I learned." Daphné adds, "You have to hire for attitude and train for skill. And sometimes you have to let people go for the health of the company." ### Learning from Failure and Starting Over The conversation doesn't shy away from the low points. Nicky opens up about the bankruptcy of his family business and the moment he almost walked away. "I had my suitcase packed," he recalls. "But Daphné showed me there was still a fire worth fighting for." They talk about the importance of resilience and the willingness to start over. "Failure is not the end," Daphné says. "It's a lesson. You pick yourself up, you learn, and you go again." ### Building a Legacy That Outlasts You Looking ahead, Nicky and Daphné have big plans for House of Vankets. They're expanding into new markets and exploring new product lines. But perhaps most importantly, Nicky is thinking about succession. "I want to build a company that can thrive without me," he says. "That's the true mark of success." Daphné agrees. "We're building systems and a team that can carry the vision forward. It's not just about Nicky's name; it's about the brand and what it stands for." ### Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs - **Cash flow is king:** Monitor it closely and plan for lean times. - **Hire slowly, fire fast:** Protect your company culture. - **Learn from failure:** Every setback is a setup for a comeback. - **Think about succession early:** Build a business that can run without you. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building a business, especially in the creative industries. It's a reminder that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs, but with the right partner, you can navigate anything.