Business

Why 23-year-old YouTuber Vince Van Meer Launched his e-Commerce Business

Published

6 years ago

June 27, 2019

We have all heard the stories about young entrepreneurs making it big by creating apps and software programs, but one man seems to embody what being a successful entrepreneur is truly about.

He’s Vince van Meer, 23, who has been able to make millions by building and selling his apps and working as an e-commerce expert. His specialty is branding and social media management for big and small influencers, entrepreneurs, and organizations, depending on their specific markets, and aiding in building their e-commerce platform, marketing needs, and product development.

“I’m currently making millions running e-commerce and doing various things in social media marketing,” he said. “I made my first million when I was 20 years old. I worked and still work a lot on apps that other companies white label.”

Born in the Netherlands in July 1995, van Meer attended Grafisch Lyceum in Rotterdam, where he studied Interactive Design focusing on building apps, animations, games, websites and graphic design during his first year. He said he learned plenty, and by the second year, he turned his interests toward audio-visual design specialization and graduated in 2015. While he didn’t make a lot of money right away, he has certainly done so these days.

He recalled when he first started out by hosting a YouTube channel, he garnered hundreds of thousands of views and was making about $2-3K per month as a 15-year-old. He even worked at McDonald’s, although he was already making money with his English YouTube channel on gaming. A year later, he decided to leave and began filming festivals and events for $5 per hour, all while doing YouTube on the side. By his second year of college, he quit YouTube and kicked off his career in social media marketing.

Things weren’t always easy for him. However, after finishing school, he sold all his personal items, borrowed $300 from his grandfather, and got his own office. With no clients, no revenue stream, and no website, he was able to make a $900 profit doing internet marketing, all within a month. The second month he made $2,000, and after a few months, he was doing about $10,000 per month.

Tasting freedom

One of the main reasons van Meer decided to do it alone is because of the freedom it brings. Van Meer said he wanted to work from wherever he wanted, as he loves traveling. Plus, he always liked being in business and working on his own projects, in his own timeframe. And because his routines and work schedules are a bit different than most 9 to 5 jobs, he often works nights, and sometimes from an airplane. “It’s all about flexibility and freedom,” he said.

As for tips on being successful, he said, “Stay focused. Don’t overwork yourself. There are times where I sleep only 4 hours a night, but that’s because I really don’t want to be doing anything else. Those are times where I am super motivated and inspired. But when I feel the opposite, I take this time to get rest and live healthily. Don’t force it, or you’ll burn out.”

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

1 week ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.