Celebrating the bold with Tess Scholten

At Eline Rosina, we believe that being bold isn't just about what you wear, but especially about how you live, and we celebrate women who dare to choose themselves.

In our new series, Celebrating the Bold With..., we speak with inspiring women who, in their own unique way, demonstrate what it means to be bold. Not just in what they wear, but in the choices they make —big or small.

This time: Tess Scholten —entrepreneur, co-founder of For You Agency, and author of the book "Het Perfecte Plaatje" (The Perfect Picture). Together with her best friend Britt, she built a creative agency and a story about courage, friendship, and pursuing your dreams.

How do you stay true to yourself in a world full of expectations?

By continuing to make time for personal things, care and taking enough moments for myself.

In your recently released book, "The Perfect Picture," you write very honestly about your journey to success. What's one lesson from the book that means the most to you personally?

The lesson of wanting a lot, but not being able to do everything ;-). In your enthusiasm, you can want to do everything, which can become overwhelming, and nothing gets your true focus or your full 100%. Such a shame!

Was there a point where you almost quit – and what helped you keep going?

Not really, because Britt and I always motivate each other not to quit. I also feel a need to prove myself to her and a strong sense of responsibility. Besides, writing this book was a real joy! I enjoyed every moment of it. I've also never found entrepreneurship so difficult that I was "on the verge of quitting." It's not that deep, it's a wonderful adventure that I enjoy every day. Of course, there are some less enjoyable days, but it would be crazy if they weren't!

What was the most daring moment on your journey at For You Agency?

I think it was signing up for a (still a bit too large) office, which was clearly geared towards growth. But with the motto "we'll fix it," we always came a long way. It was a bold move, which thankfully paid off.

Who is a woman you admire for her courage – and why?

Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble. In 2014 (when she was still co-founder and marketing VP at Tinder), she went public with a sexual harassment and discrimination complaint. Three months after leaving, she founded Bumble, a dating app where women take the initiative. In February 2021, Bumble became a publicly traded company, making her the youngest female founder and CEO to IPO and the youngest self-made female billionaire in the world. SICK!!!

What would you like to say to women who dream of more, but are unsure?

I often find "just do it" a cliché, because it's easier said than done. I'd say, follow your heart; deep down, you know what feels right and what doesn't. Trust your intuition and yourself, because the most beautiful things arise from that self-confidence and certainty.

What does success mean to you?

Success means seeing my ideas come to life and succeed! I love that so much. A campaign idea that goes viral, a successful video series, all from our own concept. That's the greatest affirmation there is. :)

Sometimes being bold is in the little things. What's a small but courageous choice you've made recently?

I'm always hesitant to reveal my true colors, but in a few chapters of our book, I've been incredibly honest about the struggles I personally went through during my entrepreneurial journey. I wanted to do this because I felt it was important to be honest with everyone who reads this, and not to make it seem bleak.

Finally: What is your favorite piece of Eline Rosina jewelry?

The Diamond Huggies! Always great for everyday wear, although I also think the Rue Hoops are a beautiful pair for a slightly more chic look :)