In a world where innovation breeds opportunity and necessity is the mother of invention, the entrepreneurial spirit thrives.
Every day, a new startup takes its first step with uncertainty into the competitive market, filled with the hopes and the potential to redefine industries.
Whether it’s a breakthrough in AI, a novel approach to sustainable energy, or a disruptive healthcare innovation, startups are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation.
However, the path to success is filled with challenges.
Competition is fierce, and the road to profitability is often paved with setbacks and obstacles.
Nevertheless, startups must navigate a complex landscape, facing off against established industry players while grappling with uncertainty and limited resources.
However, it is precisely this environment that encourages creativity and resilience, pushing startups to think outside the box and adapt to changing market dynamics.
In our new editorial column, “New Kid on the Block,” we shine a spotlight on these emerging startups, uncovering their stories and delving into the strategies that set them apart.
Through this series, Silicon Canals aims to explore the triumphs and tribulations of the entrepreneurial journey, offering insights and inspiration for aspiring founders.
We are kicking off this series premiere of “New Kid on the Block,” with Smlin, an Amsterdam-based startup pioneering a vision to create a world where work-life balance is embraced as a reality, not just a buzzword.
To explore more about the inspiring story behind Smlin’s inception and its unique framework for fostering positivity, we reached out to Florent Coudyser, founder and CEO of Smlin.
Here’s what he has to say
The Birth of Smlin: A journey towards healing and inspiration
Smlin was born out of the personal experiences and vision of Florent Coudyser.
Before establishing the startup, Florent served as a strategic and operational partner, collaborating one-on-one with over 150 founders, contributing to the growth of companies such as WeTransfer, Channable, Zenjob, Honeypot (now New Work SE), or MoovOne (now CoachHub).
His experiences with fast-growing organisations emphasised the importance of a positive and healthy company culture. However, it was a personal health crisis that truly served as an eye-opener for him.
He developed an eye illness that blurred his right-eye vision. It forced him to reevaluate his priorities and take a break from work.
“I was at a critical point: continue and risk losing my sight or stop. So I paused, switched off my phone and laptop, took time off in the forest, and embarked on an inner journey,” he reveals.
During this period, he discovered the transformative power of an “inner smile,” a Taoist practice that played a crucial role in his recovery.
This shift in perspective led him to “redefine success as a balance between health, positivity, and time with loved ones.”
With this newfound inspiration, Smlin was founded to spread good vibes at work and challenge conventional notions of achievement and wealth.
Mission and Vision
At its core, Smlin’s mission can be summarised as — “Good Vibes at Work.”
“We envision a world where feeling good and authenticity are human rights and common in the workplace. We believe in the transformative power of a smile, cultivated from within.” Sml-in “is game-changing,” says Florent.
By inspiring, empowering, and highlighting founders of purpose-driven companies, Smlin aims to create a positive ripple effect in society.
“Through Smlin, we aim to inspire a transformative ripple effect across the startup ecosystem, fostering work environments where good vibes, authenticity, and well-being are at the forefront,” he adds.
“With a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) of 8 Billion genuine & conscious inner smiles at work, Smlin is on a quest to transform the traditional narratives of work culture,” states Florent.
The Unique Framework
Smlin’s framework consists of three essential elements: the Founder’s Collective, the Smlin Flag, and the Smlin Hub.
Together, these elements work in tandem to cultivate a positive work culture and drive the transformation of traditional narratives in the startup ecosystem.
The Founder’s Collective: The Founder’s Collective, also known as the Smlin Collective, is a community of purpose-driven founders committed to feeling good and cultivating a healthy work culture. This collective was officially launched on January 30th, 2024, and has already welcomed founders from various countries and companies.
To become a member of the Smlin Collective, founders must align with the Smlin Manifesto and demonstrate their commitment to values. A ‘Smlin company’ has/is – in no particular order:
- Good Vibes: Smiling feels good
- Human-Centric: Value-and heart-driven
- Impact & Purpose: Committed to bringing good
- Nourishing Company Culture: Enabling people to be their true selves
- Natural Flow: Empowering nature-based ways of working
- Positive Ripples Effects: Radiating vibrant energy
- Playfulness: Reconnecting to childlike wonder and creativity
- Innovation: Reinventing how we work by touching people
The Smlin Flag: The Smlin Flag serves as a symbol and a genuine recognition that the company culture is good. According to Florent, this is increasingly important when talents consider joining a new employer.
“When you spot the ‘Smlin Flag,’ it’s a mark of a company’s commitment to positive impact, authenticity, and feeling good,” says Florent.
The Smlin Hub: The Smlin Hub is a resource centre filled with best practices from Smlin companies on how to build a more inclusive company culture and create a safe space at work.
The Hub offers practical insights and tools that the Smlin Collective has vetted. Founders can find guidance on various topics to enhance their company culture and well-being initiatives further.
“We believe in the power of collective energy. Smlin’s team, culture, and community are shaped by a synergy of actors that surpass the simple sum of their parts. By joining forces and building upon the strengths of all Smlin members, we inspire each other, activate, and provide the wisdom and conscious habits to feel confident about investing in a ‘Smlin culture to ourselves, our clients, partners, and ecosystems. Together, we empower more vibrant and engaging workplaces, spread Good Vibes, create a movement of positive change – one smile at a time,” he explains.
Target audience and expansion plans
Smlin’s target audience primarily includes:
- Purpose-driven scale-ups and organisations of all sizes that are committed to well-being.
- The future of work.
- Creating an open and safe company culture.
The company also aims to collaborate with companies that are interested in infusing some
“Smlin culture” into their organisation and enhancing their company culture.
“We are already getting traction and incoming requests from Heads of People or scale-ups that could benefit from the services of our Smlin members. Providing matching solutions to those partners’ needs is on our roadmap. We will have selected pilots running in the next months with our ‘partners,’” reveals Florent.
To expand its reach within the startup ecosystem, Smlin plans to highlight “Smlin companies” on social media, create strategic partnerships with relevant institutes and startups, and share best practices through webinars and events.
Smlin’s revenue generation and funding
As a purpose-driven business and social enterprise, Smlin is committed to feeling good and cultivating a healthy work culture within its own Collective and for its partners.
“Our revenue streams consist of the memberships, combined – in the near future with partnerships with companies ready to infuse some ‘Smlin culture’ into their organisation,” tells Florent.
Since its launch, Smlin has been bootstrapped by its founder, Florent Coudyser. The company aims to continue operating in a self-financed manner while remaining open to potential funding opportunities that align with its vision and impact-driven approach.
Success stories and Roadmaps
Despite being a newly launched initiative, Smlin has already witnessed the positive impact of its approach on founders and their companies. Members of the Smlin Collective, such as Moha, Moyu, Smove, Flow Scan, Indigo Diversity, and Wondr, have shared their enthusiasm for the Smlin community and its mission.
As Smlin continues to grow, it plans to expand further its community of purpose-driven founders and “Smlin companies”. The company aims to create a transformative ripple effect across the startup ecosystem by fostering work environments where good vibes, authenticity, and well-being are at the core.
Read the orginal article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/new-kid-on-the-block-smlin/
