Pure Sailing

Laura Janssen (‘18) and Lotte Janssen (‘19) are young, passionate sisters who both have a degree in International Hospitality Management. They started to follow their dream during their university years and founded Pure Sailing, a Luxury Sailing Yacht Charter Service in Croatia.

How do you remember your time at AISB?

Laura: I attended AISB from 1st until 12th grade, so there are a LOT of memories that come to mind. I always look back on AISB positively and cherish the time I had there. Particular memories that stick out for me are the after-school sports, where I always had fun competing in different tournaments. I also had the opportunity to travel to Senegal in Grades 11 and 12. These trips made a lasting impression on me.

Lotte: AISB has a special part in my heart, as I have spent over half of my life studying at this school. Even after attending AISB for 13 years, it never become boring, due to all the different sports, extracurricular clubs, and other activities provided. There was always something to look forward to, which sparked my curiosity to try all kinds of things. AISB is the foundation of my education and will forever remain a vibrant memory. Besides all of this, the teachers, staff, and students are what made AISB so special.

What was your favorite thing about being a part of AISB?

Laura: My favorite part of AISB is definitely the community. During our studies, we were always told ‘Once a Blazer, always a Blazer’. At the time, it was just a nice slogan, but now that I’ve graduated, I understand what it means. I love the way the AISB community is always there for each other. The international community at AISB has given me many friends from all around the world.

How did you get into the Sailing Business? Which of you had the idea?

Laura: Throughout our childhood, we have had multiple experiences with sailing, from sailing camp on Lake Balaton to renting a sailboat with our family during summer vacations. These memories stuck with us and made us look forward to our next sailing experiences. After graduating from AISB, both Lotte and I studied International Hospitality Management. By starting Pure

Sailing, we combined our passion for sailing with our knowledge of hospitality. Our businessoriented natures have inspired us to create our own yacht charter company and do it ourselves.

Tell us about Pure Sailing.

Lotte: Pure Sailing, in its essence, is a luxury sailboat charter company. However, we offer so much more than that. From the moment our guests get in contact with us, they start a journey. We really try to get to know our guests and understand how they envision their ideal vacation. Whether it’s their first time chartering a yacht or if they’re highly experienced sailors, we plan the trip to match their desires. Our mission is to create a fully personalized experience for whatever desires our clients might have. For a romantic getaway, family vacation, or business incentive, our team is at their disposal to fulfill their wishes. Unlike most charter companies, we have only one yacht in our fleet, which allows us to devote all our time to Onyx and our individual clients. That results in keen attention to detail and quality of service.

What were the biggest challenges?

Laura: For me, personally, the biggest challenge was building up to our first sailing season and the actual delivery of our boat. During this time, management was a challenge. While setting up the company and preparing everything for the sailing season, I was simultaneously completing my last semester at EHL. It was a struggle to balance Pure Sailing with my studies. This also meant I was in Lausanne, Lotte was in Marbella, and our company was in Croatia. Luckily we were able to solve the logistical issue with online meetings; however it was definitely a challenge to coordinate with everyone at the same time.

Lotte: In my experience, the biggest challenge was going through the stages of setting up our company without having previous experience. Every step we took was something new, something I had never done before. Even though we learned a lot in university about business plans, financial forecasting, and entrepreneurship, carrying out these tasks in real life and taking on the risk was a huge challenge for me. Luckily, our parents provided us with endless support, while we also had professional advisors guiding us through the process. Finally, when the Onyx was out of production and handed over to us, all the stress was relieved, and it made everything worth it.

What is Pure Sailing’s mission?

Laura: Our mission is to sail you into a world of freedom. When chartering the Onyx, our guests experience the freedom of creating their own adventure every day. Each day on board is different, with new destinations and new sailing conditions.

How did your education at AISB shape you?

Laura: I think one of the best ways AISB shaped me is through the international environment I was exposed to. This has helped me in my university and future career as I can get along with–and work with– everyone. I also think this has taught me to be aware of other perspectives and be openminded.

How does it feel to work with your sister?

Lotte: The best part is definitely that it’s brought us a lot closer. Working together with Laura motivates me to do my best every day. We have a lot of respect for each other, which makes it easy for us to work together. While both of us have the same passion for hospitality, we each have our own strengths and weaknesses. This made it quite straightforward about who takes the lead in each area within the company. Furthermore, as our bond is strong, we understand and trust each other. This makes it easy to voice our opinions and speak what we truly believe.

What’s your message to Blazers who are interested in starting their own business?

Laura: My advice would be to make as many connections as possible and talk to as many people as you can. When the idea for this company first came into our heads, Lotte and I traveled the coast of Croatia, speaking to industry professionals and trying to learn as much as possible. By doing this, we not only learned a lot but also made connections that are still valuable to us today.

Lotte: My advice would be to just do it. When starting Pure Sailing, Laura and I were both busy with university and had doubts about being able to manage everything. But in the end, it all worked out. I think that if you have an idea, something you are passionate about, then you shouldn’t let anything hold you back. It’s never too early to start your own venture.

What advice would you give to juniors and seniors at AISB?

Laura: Although it sounds clichéd, my advice would be to live in the moment. Looking back at high school, I often remember myself trying to figure out what to do after high school and worrying about future decisions.

Lotte: My advice is simple: don’t be shy. Throughout high school, I was quite a shy person who wouldn’t speak and preferred to stay in the background. During my time at university, I’ve slowly learned to overcome this trait, and now I feel like a different person. I’ve developed traits that make me a lot happier and more vibrant. I’ve learned the importance of self-confidence, which has made the biggest difference.

Try to describe yourself in 3 words.

Laura: Ambitious, innovative, energetic

Lotte: Positive, humble, driven

For more information on Pure Sailing, visit pure-sailing.eu