Wearing my Steel Blue boots to the workshop.
Floor Doelman: Construction worker and Carpenter
When the creative Floor Doelman was asked about her career choice at the age of 15, at school it was automatically assumed that she wanted to get an introduction into ‘care and welfare’, because that’s where girls go.
Floor wanted to see all other possibilities too that the further training had to offer and so she ended up in the workshop looking at tools and machines.
When Floor said that she would rather do that, she was warned. “But you’ll probably be the only girl in a group with all boys.”
She persevered and once settled at the College for Woodwork and Furniture she knew for sure: this is the trade she loves and where her talents are put to work.
Floor will always remember her first big job as an independent furniture maker. It was a large 5-piece custom cabinet with hanging doors and incorporated LED lighting, she explains.
“I really just threw myself in at the deep end. Conducted the research, made a plan of action and executed it.”
Her dream for the future is to eventually have her own place, where she can make custom furniture and take on larger projects.
In addition, she would like to have her own DIY home to fix up herself, customising the furniture herself, but she doesn’t shy away from the construction work either. When Floor is not busy in the workshop, she works at a timber trade in Den Hoorn where she processes beautiful shell parts.
When we ask her for any tips & tricks she can give other girls who want to work in construction she said:
"It takes effort, but don't let that stop you from doing what you really want, that's the most important thing, it's worth it. Sometimes you do encounter negative reactions."
Keep standing up for yourself and don’t get discouraged. A smooth chat and a bit of humour helps.
Floor once arrived at a construction site and asked the project leader for the drawings. He wasn’t very helpful and somewhat condescendingly asked what she was doing there. She said, I’m here to put in 5 kitchens. When he asked who is going to carry all that material there for you? She responded quickly: “I think you can do that for me!” The mood changed for good and the material was neatly carried to the right place for her.
She will soon be giving workshops to the first classes at the VMBO school. To show her cool profession, but also to talk about her own company, as a female entrepreneur with the aim of encouraging more kids to start learning a trade.
Floor is wearing the Southern Cross Zip Ladies. Her father always wore Steel Blue boots while working on a ship and was very enthusiastic about them. That’s how Floor got to know the Australian shoe brand, and how she bought her first pair of Steel Blue boots.
On an average working day, she will be on her feet from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Floor noticed that her ankles and knees started to hurt when she was wearing other shoes so she swapped to Steel Blue as the boots are 100% Comfort Guaranteed. She is still very satisfied with the Southern Cross Ladies Fit. “They are beautiful, a nice colour and they’re super comfortable!”
It’s nice that they are higher for extra strength and they give good grip on the construction site. Floor said “I can easily walk through a puddle or run after the dog in wet grass!”
Follow Floor in Instagram: @floormaakthet
Do what you love, and you’ll enjoy going to work every day just like I do! And don't wait too long. I started young and gained a lot of experience very quickly.
