Posted by Eva Margarjan-Huijts
on November 06, 2025
If anyone knows i-did inside and out, it's Bianca Slijkhuis-Ravelli . She's been working at the social enterprise for six years, where textiles and people are given a second life. She started in administration and sales support and has since grown into sales support team leader . Her role is broader than her job title suggests: she helps out where needed and also manages several key accounts. "For me, sales isn't just about selling," says Bianca, "but about sharing stories and discovering, together with the client, where our interests and goals intersect."
Making an impact together
One collaboration Bianca is particularly proud of is the one with Efteling . “Their ambition to be completely climate neutral by 2030 aligns perfectly with our vision for circular solutions. Together, we explored how we could give their clothing waste a second life, a journey that has blossomed into a sustainable partnership. What makes this collaboration special for me is that we didn't just offer a solution; we truly built something together. It shows what's possible when you combine sustainability, creativity, and collaboration.”
The recycled textile flag line that all employees received on Efteling's anniversary
About resilience and trust
Bianca describes the period surrounding i-did's bankruptcy as one of the most intense moments of her career. "It felt uncertain and sometimes discouraging, because you didn't know what was going to happen and what it would mean for the work and the people around you. Yet, I decided to stay because I believed in the company's mission and in the people I worked with. I felt there was still something worthwhile to do, something that went beyond the difficult circumstances at the time."
She learned a lot from that period. "I saw how important resilience and perseverance are. And how crucial open communication and trust are, both within the team and with clients. It made me stronger and showed me that even in difficult times, there are opportunities to grow and find solutions together."
Bianca with part of the team at the Changemaker award from nlgroeit in 2024
Building the future
These days, Bianca draws her energy from rebuilding i-did. “What drives me now is the feeling that together we can rebuild the company from the ground up. I really enjoy optimizing processes and empowering everyone. Of course, the bankruptcy was a difficult period, but it also offers opportunities to do things differently and contribute ideas on how we can improve. At i-did, that's possible and allowed, and that's something I'm truly grateful for and proud of: everyone is equal, ideas are heard, and we're making a real impact. At both the personal and product levels.”
Small things, big difference
What Bianca has learned most from the people on the work floor are the little things. "Something as simple as a thank you or a compliment costs nothing, but can be incredibly motivating. That's precisely what makes our team stronger and allows us to achieve better results together. That makes work more enjoyable and rewarding for everyone."
" Bianca is truly invaluable to i-did ," says Eva, a marketing specialist at i-did. " She's motivated, organized, critical (but in a good way), asks the right questions, always goes the extra mile, and is incredibly sweet. I'm thrilled to be working with her again after the relaunch. "
