WE WORK IN A SHINING BUILDING, THANKS TO MARION

She started at the Zilverhoek, back when you could count the number of employees on one hand. “At what I always call ‘the Little FoodeQ’, a few hours of cleaning a week was plenty and it fit well alongside my work in home care,” Marion recalls. “I’ve always felt at home at FoodeQ. Right from the start there was appreciation, and over time, more facility-related tasks were added. I started arranging fresh flowers for the office, managing coffee orders and so on.

As FoodeQ doubled in size, I took on more hours. When we moved to the new building on Warwickstraat, I realised this was no longer a side job – as I had long seen it – but my real job. I was trusted to take charge of cleaning at ‘the Big FoodeQ’. Together with Noza van Dalen – just as much a workhorse and perfectionist as I am – and the entire FoodeQ team, we ensure the building sparkles from top to bottom. At many companies, the cleaning team can only work after hours, but here we’re on the job during office hours. We’re visibly present every day, which makes everyone appreciate how nice it is to have a tidy workplace and understand that it doesn’t happen by itself. People naturally clean up after themselves and keep the space tidy out of respect for each other.” How does vacuuming work during office hours? “That’s simple, we do it during breaks.”

Marinus de Bruijn shares: “Marion has a heart of gold and is always there for everyone. She’s like an informal confidante. She knows everyone so well and always lends a listening ear when needed. Beyond that, she organises countless things so we don’t have to think about them. Marion always goes the extra mile and constantly surprises us. I still remember after a Guus Meeuwis concert, on the bus ride home, she suddenly served everyone snacks. She even had a special bag ready for a few individuals!” Marion laughs and says: “Caring is just part of who I am. I love making people happy, and I know that after a night out a snack hits the spot.” She doesn’t drink a drop of alcohol herself. “But I still party just as hard! I don’t feel like I’m missing out. In fact, I think I experience more, and I feel great.”

That’s not surprising, given her active lifestyle which includes Zumba cardio, cardio fitness and three brisk walks a week. “I can’t sit still, though I’m very loyal. I still work part-time in home care, as I have for over 24 years, and now it’s been 10 years at FoodeQ. The energy here suits me perfectly. Even as we grow rapidly, it remains warm and personal. I used to call it the Little FoodeQ, but for years now, it’s been My FoodeQ.”