The Recycled Pirate

20/09/2026

I know we're all busy today. But there are so many moments when I think of you and want to say it out loud, only to get caught up in the work.

I get busy bringing into practice what you taught me, what you inspired me to do, or what you helped me remember in the first place.

Thank you for being part of the reason I started this journey.

16/09/2026

Shout out to the production team behind The State of the SDGs; Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao! 🎬

​What started as an idea for a blog evolved into a podcast, turned into a documentary, and grew into an entire Documentary Series.

​Building something like this takes a whole crew.
Massive thank you to Laetitia, Dee-Seany, Hannah, and Jay for testing me, keeping me on my feet, and making this vision possible.

When you support this series, you are supporting their incredible work too!🙏
​
Episode 4: Good Health and Well-being is coming soon.
Stay tuned! 🇨🇼

​

16/09/2026

Return on Impact over Return on Investment. 💡

​Focusing on Return on Impact as a social entrepreneur might not seem like the smartest business model on paper. But doing something right for our community, a community that I am proud to be part of, feels incredibly rewarding.

​How the financial side falls into place is always a puzzle along the way, but experimenting with solutions and finding balance is where the real joy lives.

​You can support this work simply by tuning in! Watch our documentary series, The State of the SDGs: Navigating Sustainability on Curaçao, available across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 🎬🇨🇼

​If you want to collaborate on social impact initiatives send me a PM or DM.

14/09/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝗽🗺️
Building sustainable change requires a connected structure where data flows freely and innovation pipelines stay active.

Our ecosystem brings together four core quadrants to drive progress across Curaçao:
• 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Partnering with MEO, SER, CITI, KVK, CTB, and Mi Negoshi to align policy with local needs.
• 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Empowering SMEs and collaborating with key business associations like VBC, CHATA, and CASHA.
• 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀: Equipping entrepreneurs through Coach pa Futuro and modern digital tools.
• 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 & 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Fostering long term island resilience through Club17, Curaçao Clean Up, Curaçao Doughnut Economy, and The State of the SDGs.

By facilitating the flow of data and innovation between these sectors, we ensure that local ideas get the support, tools, and visibility they need to thrive.

Where does your work fit on this map?

If you want to collaborate or grab a ☕ coffee to explore how we can connect, send me a PM or DM.

14/09/2026

Six years ago, I had no clue what an ecosystem was. 💡

It took someone pointing it out to me for me to realize that I was naturally acting as an ecosystem builder. Once that clicked, I began facilitating and connecting ecosystems with far more intention and clarity.

Understanding what you are doing allows you to build smarter and create even bigger impact.

In my daily work, I bring together several key initiatives across Curaçao:

• Coach pa Futuro: Empowering local SMEs and entrepreneurs.
• Club17 Curaçao: Driving local SDG awareness and action.
• Curaçao Doughnut Economy: Rethinking sustainable island development.

And the list goes on. All of these separate efforts align around one fundamental principle: SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals. 🤝

Check out the posts on either side of this video to see the full breakdown of how our ecosystem connects!

Ready to connect your business to the broader network?
Send me a PM or DM to grab a ☕ coffee and chat.

14/09/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿? 🧭 (1/3)
An ecosystem facilitator acts as a single point of access for collective action, breaking down silos to make sustainable progress possible.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:
• 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨: Connecting government bodies, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities.
• 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙮: Turning abstract goals like circularity and SDGs into local, actionable plans.
• 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨: Delivering standardized training through Coach pa Futuro and practical digital solutions like AI, Google Workspace, and Notion.
• 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙩: Using storytelling like The State of the SDGs documentary series to document and inspire progress.

When these four pillars work together, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 from a grand idea to a daily reality.

How does your organization connect with the broader ecosystem around you?

11/09/2026

It's the weekend! Not that it makes much of a difference when you're working on your dreams, but it's time for a celebration!

09/09/2026

One of my most valuable tools is YouTube. I keep telling everyone, social media can bring you down or lift you up, but you need to make the healthy choice yourself.

You can program your algorithm by 👍and ❤️ the best posts you see on whichever platform you use. That's how I got introduced to Sandeep and his wise exchanges about life, business and AI.

After the last two presentations I hosted I received very good feedback on my , meaning suggestions.

This is one of those examples. Valuable life lessons that can benefit you any day with a good dose of Emotional Intelligence to go with all the Artificial Intelligence.

Visit Sandeep, subscribe and watch his videos to understand better how you can leverage AI in everyday life.

https://youtu.be/cKzVqNNQkcI?si=tqZa2CtbJ_cM4Ebd

09/09/2026

I did something...

For the first time in my nearly 50-year existence, I bought a car and coughed up the full amount in one go. It is a 2018 Nissan Kicks.

15 years ago, after my accident, my reprogramming began. I had to ask, and answer, quite a few questions to erase old programming. Or at least, move it to the background.

1. What are you going to do with the rest of your (handicapped) life?
2. How are you going to work with the limitations/challenges you have?
3. How can I reprogram my financial programming?
4. How do I want to be recognized at the end of the road?

Answers:
1. I am going to create as much value as possible in life and help people reprogram themselves (hence the Recycled, in The Recycled Pirate)

2. I am going to become an entrepreneur and use what other people no longer want, cannot do, or do not know, and use my experience to inform them.

3. I want to get rid of my mother's "I was born poor and will die poor" mindset. Everything I do from here on is to create to upgrade!

4. I want to be a respected citizen. I want to have been a mentor to others. I want to have contributed to society with honor and conscience, and I want to be a godfather to my island, nature, the environment, and the community and those who protect it.

To achieve these goals, I needed comfort, support, confidence, and trust so I could take on any challenge. I've been creating ever since...

First the business, then the home, then the office and now with a little more comfort on wheels.

I'm on my way!

08/09/2026

Innovators of Curaçao, this is your moment to step into the spotlight! 💡✨

The Curaçao Innovation & Technology Institute Innovation Award has played such a transformative role in my own journey over the years:

💙 2021: Honored to host the event right in the middle of the pandemic.
💙 2024: Proud winner of the Circular Innovation Award for Club17 Curaçao with our SDG Tracker app facilitated by Caribbeapps.
💙 2025: Serving on the official jury to witness the next generation of island talent.
💙 2026: Honored to be present once again as this movement grows!

Every single step with this award has opened doors, connected ecosystems, and accelerated impact.

I hope every Curaçao based innovator, no matter how small your idea seems or how big your impact will be, steps up and registers. Let us show everyone the true strength of Curaçao's innovation wave! 🌊🇨🇼

Register your project or business today right here:
👉 https://citi.cw/registration-2026-innovation-award/

Register Now for the 2026 Curaçao Innovation Award Innovation drives progress. Every year, the Curaçao Innovation Award recognizes the entrepreneurs and org ...