Muriel van Severen, founder of Make It Happen ! (a communications and event agency in Brussels), Secretary General for INSEAD Alumni in Belgium, and speaker on BXFM 104.3 Brussels, shares her entrepreneurial journey and the positive lessons she learned during the co-vid 19 pandemic.

Blishood: Where does the idea of Make It Happen come from? Why did you favor the format of a digital magazine instead of a "physical" one?

Muriel Van Severen: I was partner and co-founder of the web magazine French Connect.com, connecting Belgian and French people. A digital magazine offers complete flexibility and is environmentally friendly. I was also responsible for the events that gathered our community of readers. Today I keep those two main activities: communication and events. I’ve now created Make it happen, a service that engages and develops communities through communication and events.

I have lived in five different countries since I was five years old. [Due to the fact that] I moved a lot, I had to create links with new people almost every five years. As a consequence, every time I see a moving company truck on my street, I stop, I go in and welcome my new neighbors. I really like to weave contacts. I found moving countries hard but also very enriching.

Blisshood: So, the fact that you have lived in several countries made you realize that you had this talent for bringing people together. You moved from connecting individuals to connecting companies and creating opportunities all this while making them feel welcomed.

With this in mind, what would be your advice to an entrepreneur that has moved to Belgium recently and has trouble making these connections that you talk about?

Muriel Van Severen: You need to overcome your fears and your inner restrictions. Reaching out to other people always gives you something in return. Sometimes we are shy, and we do not dare to reach out but, everyone needs to come out of their comfort zone to make contacts, especially when you know nobody. The hungrier you are for creating a network, the more satisfying it is to create your own group of contacts.

I believe chance is not something that falls on you, we all have to grab opportunities when they pass.

Networking is a field where you plant seeds, and it contributes to creating good conditions for chance. Once again, bonding with people, getting out of your comfort zone, is rewarding.

Muriel Van Severen, photo credit: Blanca Madrigal Photography

Blisshood: Definitely, we are all struggling with the lack of contact with people, whether you are an individual, an entrepreneur or you work for a large group...

Another thing that you mentioned earlier is "events in the era of Co-Vid" and the impact that that has had. What do you think will be the future of events? Will we ever be able to come together as a community?

Muriel Van Severen: Yes, I think we will have events again. It is part of human nature to overcome difficulties, adapt, and find solutions. But, if we look at the positive side, I think co-vid taught us some interesting lessons We had TV news with journalists or personalities zooming from their home, with children in the background and low-quality sound (laughs). That made us open our eyes and again, contact was more important than showing a "good broadcast". Everybody was interviewed in their homes, which led to funny situations and that allowed us to democratize communication. That way I think we'll be able in the future to communicate digitally on the screen, without sophisticated technologies or professional technicians, and accept it. I find this interesting and also, that there are some advantages to Zoom.

For example, I organized the general assembly of INSEAD alumni in Belgium...we never had so many people registering for this event. We multiplied by four the number of attendees. For that event, it was easier for people to just connect [online] and we had a great speaker. Gathering people without [having to travel abroad] also makes it impressively more environmentally friendly. On the other hand, communication is richer face-to-face. So, we cannot deny it and simply abandon that.

Blisshood: Yes, I love the part about democratization and seeing people in real situations.

I think that people are becoming more creative when it comes to finding ways to communicate effectively during this pandemic and being able to share knowledge. There is a new application called Clubhouse, I do not know if you have heard about it, which is audio-only. People connect, and they can host conferences, for example. People like Oprah have already joined this platform, and everybody joins but with audio. So, we are all adapting.

Back to the part of you mentioning how living in different countries involved being adaptable and resilient, how can someone who is struggling with all the current challenges due to the pandemic develop more resilience?

Muriel Van Severen: Again, when I do not feel good, I reach out to people. That is my way. But I know that some people just close themselves like a shell. I reach out and that gives me hope and energy, which distracts me from the heaviness of the moment.

I am also quite sporty. Furthermore, I know that when I am not in good shape I need to put on my trainers, push myself and go for a run. For the past four years, I have been cycling in Brussels and have cycled 10,000 kilometers. When you have a heavy weight upon your shoulders pushing yourself to get moving helps.

Blisshood: Speaking of Brussels, what are your "must-see" places in Brussels for someone that is visiting? What about your favorite places for someone that already lives here?

Muriel Van Severen: Between appointments, I love to stop in the lounge of The Dominican Hotel, order a teapot and work there. I have the feeling I am in another city, seeing all the travelers with their suitcases and the buzz of tourists.

I also like the Château Solvay (to go for a run) and the center of Brussels.

Blisshood: What are some of the things that you appreciate the most about Belgian people?

Muriel Van Severen: They are simple, kind, smiley, and open. I really like that.

Blisshood: What is bliss for you? When are you the most blissful in your own terms?

Muriel Van Severen: Having my three children around me and having a meal together-that makes me incredibly happy. Every year is different because they grow, and I grow as well.

I do not believe in the sentence "People don't change". I think we all change all the time. We have opportunities to change and develop;

I have experienced it. I am so different from who I was ten years ago or twenty years ago, and I will probably be quite different in five years. So, everyone is like a diamond with different facets, and we can shine. The place where I shine deeply is when I have my children around me. It is such a great chance to have them, they keep me young and open-minded.

Blisshood: I can see it; your eyes light up just saying that! Thank you.