Jappe Pollentier’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 16 years old with a playful yet impactful idea. For his high school Economics class, he launched ePlugs, colored earplugs where each color signaled a relationship status—“Single and Searching” or “Buy Me a Drink and We’ll See.” The project not only won several awards but also earned the title of Best Advertisement of Europe. This early success ignited Jappe’s passion for building businesses.
At the same time, Jappe worked as a journalist, covering Belgian startups gaining international traction. “Running a small business and diving into the startup ecosystem sparked something in me,” he recalls. By the time he turned 18, he was ready to launch his first real business.
Early Lessons: The Importance of Revenue and Support
Jappe’s first venture taught him a lot about the realities of entrepreneurship. “We raised investments but hadn’t started generating revenue yet,” he explains. Watching the runway shrink without results was a tough mental challenge. Luckily, he had a cofounder to share the weight. That experience shaped his approach to future ventures. “For my next businesses, I focused on generating revenue—and profit—right from the start. The mental toll of constantly racing against the clock is something I don’t want to go through again.”
Networking: A Transformative Mindset Shift
One pivotal moment came during a networking event in Hong Kong. Drained and unmotivated, Jappe considered skipping the event. But he remembered a time, years earlier, when he was daydreaming about what it would feel like to be a successful entrepreneur. “I realized I was now living the life I had once envied,” he says. That shift in mindset pushed him to attend the event, where he closed five new customers and partnerships that night. “Whenever I’m feeling down, I think back to that moment. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and the importance of showing up.”
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Don’t Go It Alone
Jappe emphasizes the value of having a cofounder or mentor, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. “Having someone who understands what you’re going through is priceless,” he shares. While some succeed solo, Jappe firmly believes that a support system makes all the difference.
Proud Milestones: National Recognition
One of Jappe’s proudest moments was being featured in the Belgian national news. The article became the most-read nationwide, and he received an outpouring of congratulations from friends and acquaintances. “It was a surreal moment,” he reflects, “and a nice realization of how far I’d come.”
Schedult: The Synergy of People and Technology
Today, Jappe leads Schedult, an AI-driven platform designed to make life easier for businesses. “I love the way I do business now,” he says. Surrounded by a talented team, Jappe focuses on automating processes and finding smarter ways of working. For him, the future lies in a perfect synergy between people and technology—improving workflows rather than replacing them.
Making a Difference Close to Home
While Jappe humbly downplays his global impact, he takes pride in the growth and success of his team at Schedult. “Some team members have even gone on to start their own businesses,” he shares. “On a world scale, those moments might seem small, but to me, they’re what matter the most.”
Through resilience, creativity, and a focus on empowering others, Jappe Pollentier continues to make a meaningful impact, proving that smart business is about more than just profit—it’s about people.
To learn more, visit schedult.com.