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EMBA student Jan Baan making his mark on the international stage with his thriving e-commerce brand

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Oxford Saïd Executive MBA student and CEO, Jan Baan, has been named by Forbes as one Europe’s leading young entrepreneurs.

Jan has made the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe 2023 list and is the CEO of a 145-year-old former shoe company based in the Netherlands. His brand has become a leading apparel and e-commerce one, and he now employs 650 full-time workers and generates $132 million annual net revenue. Forbes recognised Jan’s innovation and leadership in expanding his family business, Omoda. The recognition places him among a select group of young leaders helping transform business and society through impact. 

 

He commented on the accolade: 'It's not only proof and recognition of what I've been working towards, but what we at Omoda have been doing, particularly the transition we've been through.' Under his direction, his e-commerce business is now one of Europe's fastest-growing online clothing companies with a mission: 'Our vision is to tap into the inspirational and emotional side of fashion shopping, which is neatly summarised by our tagline: "The fashion store that loves you back''.  

 

'Over the past few years, we've become a truly online retailer with a strong offline presence and have added apparel to our lines for the first time ever, after solely selling shoes for 145 years. Clearly, it's been a challenging journey, but this is enormous recognition for all the hard work that the team have put in and the risks they have taken to make it happen.' 

I can't stress enough how the process of self-reflection through these programmes has been such a formative experience and a significant part of my journey to becoming a better leader.

Jan Baan, EMBA student

Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2023 List

He attributes his ongoing studies and experience at Saïd Business School as crucial to his business's upward trajectory, helping him develop the mindset for transformative leadership and making an impact: 'The programmes have instilled the importance of setting a great vision, and how this is a necessity to leading a high-performing team. I truly believe that had I not had the chance to step back and reflect on my position as a leader and my team through these two programmes; we wouldn't have come as far as we have today.'  

Jan observes that studying at Oxford Saïd while running his business provides the theoretical and practical framework for an intertwined business perspective. 'Being able to learn a new framework or approach for a challenge you are facing, and to then go back to your day job and apply it practically in the weeks following the module, is extremely valuable. It makes your learning even more relevant, particularly in the fast-paced and complex business world we experience today.' 

He was recognised by Forbes 30 Under 30 for his leadership skills, a strategic skill he says is crucial to creating successful teams in an innovative business. 'If you want to develop as a leader, the Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership and Executive MBA are designed for you. I can't stress enough how the process of self-reflection through these programmes has been such a formative experience and a significant part of my journey of becoming a better leader.'

Jan's leadership journey is only at the beginning. He outlined the next steps for his thriving, global business: 'The years ahead will see us continuing to build upon and embed this inspirational proposition. Product-wise, apparel now represents 35-40% of our business, and we've gained significant market share in this area. The second step is to scale it nationally in the Netherlands and internationally in the markets we are active in.' 

Jan Baan is an Oxford Saïd EMBA student and completed the Diploma in Organisational Leadership at Saïd Business School.