Johan is coming to install panels on our refurbished kitchen.

The last time he was on the floor, he talked about how corona had also forced him to be creative and shift his business.

Now that the event business was on hiatus, the demand for his boxes collapsed. So there he was. With seven men in the workshop who just had to be paid at the end of the month.

He made a virtue of necessity and shifted his business to interior carpentry, cabinets and kitchens.

" But yeah that's really our business isn't it. We can do it, but we never do it. And not everyone wants to do it, either" he says resignedly, "but the orders came in like crazy.

"And then when you look for people, you don't get the gems right away either. It's really

difficult to get people," he continued.

"The other day I had two to choose from: a man of 62 and woman of 41.

Well then I just took that woman of 41".

The only woman among all those guys?" I ask, "How's that?"

His face brightens: "Yes, it's going surprisingly well, I'm actually quite happy with it.

and things are going very well with the boys, too!"

I ask him what he notices.

"Well I have so in one much less hassle with those guys.

Otherwise there is always something and they blame each other. But with her they don't do that anymore.

And she really is one of the guys huh? Tackling and no bullshit.

The boys say so themselves hehe!

This week I had another one who said: I'm really glad she's here and it clicks really well. So yes, the atmosphere has improved a lot, everyone really enjoys it.

Johan appears to need to come back one more time to finish the job.

Six weeks later, he is back at my kitchen counter. He has an apprentice carpenter with him. I ask how the female colleague is and this time see both their faces brighten. "Good!" says the apprentice. "Da's really a top woman."

Johan adds. "Yes I'm still very happy with that every day that I took it on. And I recently organized a winter barbeque for the men. You have to make it a little fun for them. And then she showed up in a dress with trendy boots underneath. Well then it turned out to be a real woman too".

His thoughts wander for a moment before he pensively remarks "But of course, since The Voice we're not allowed to say anything about that."

Moments later, I wave them off. I think of all the diversity & inclusiveness initiatives everywhere. Johan no longer needs a D&I officer. His door is now wide open to any carpentry talent with a no-hassle mentality.