After completing her studies in Communication Sciences and earning a Master’s Degree in Human Resources at Antwerp Management School, Inge Vandael launched her career straight into a director’s role at the Landelijke Rijverenigingen and Paardensport Vlaanderen (Competitive Equestrian Sports). In 2022, she decided to take the leap and became an independent branch owner for Argenta. A big change, as Inge herself says: “Up until then, I had always worked in the sports sector as an employee. Switching to entrepreneurship was a complete 180 turn for me.” What drew her to Argenta? “The organization’s values and principles. I immediately felt a connection and thought: this is it.” Still, Inge realized she could grow further on a strategic level. So, she decided to broaden her knowledge and strengthen her leadership skills with not just one but two programs at AMS.
A bold step forward
Every program at AMS is an intensive journey that requires real commitment. Yet Inge decided to take on not just one, but two masterclasses. “It was pretty intense, yes,” she says. “First, ten evening sessions of Business Economics, followed by the Business Strategy and Leadership program.”
All of this was on top of her work as an Argenta branch owner and being a mom to two teenagers. She also didn’t want to neglect equestrian sports, her greatest passion to this day. Her motivation turned out to be the key to success. “I really wanted to do those extra management courses because I’m naturally curious and eager to learn. The masterclasses at AMS gave me extra energy, and I knew I needed them to grow further in my new role.”
You never have full control over everything
Having passion for your work doesn’t mean the road will always be smooth. “I started out as an independent in the banking sector in February 2022. Just two weeks later, the war in Ukraine broke out. That caused a lot of turbulence in the financial world, including for us”, Inge explains. This sometimes forced Inge to make tough decisions. “I didn’t want to lay people off, so at the end of each month, I had to decide which invoices to pay right away and which ones to to postpone.” Unfortunately, as an entrepreneur, you can’t control global political events. You can only manage them as thoughtfully and effectively as possible. That’s exactly what Inge did, even though it demanded a lot of energy. “We kept the office afloat because giving up is simply not in my vocabulary. But I definitely felt the need for more knowledge and insight. That was a turning point that made me decide to enroll in the AMS masterclasses.”
“From equestrian sports to banking, it was a natural leap.”
Deeper insights for a broader vision
Inge already knew how to run an organization. She had proven so as a director in the sports sector, where she was responsible for HR management, finances, and even full operational oversight from A to Z. In short: general management. But as an independent branch owner for Argenta, she felt she needed deeper knowledge to successfully run her own business. “I already knew how to read a balance sheet. But how do you really interpret it? What conclusions can you draw? And how do you use that to explore other financing options? I quickly gained more insight into this during the Masterclass in Business Economics.” This also changed her relationship with her accountant. Inge now speaks the same language, which allows them to dive deeper into the balance figures together. As a result, she can make even more informed decisions. And the fact that she now actually takes the time for this makes a big difference too.
Why? That’s the question
For Inge, entrepreneurship is first and foremost about taking thoughtful, well-considered action. And strong leadership is key to that. She’s a big fan of author Simon Sinek, who inspires leaders worldwide and is best known for his book Start with Why. “Communications and people management have always been my passion”, she says. “I believe that as a leader, you should never stop growing. You have to keep evolving and learning.” Inge found the right tools for that in the Masterclass in Business Strategy and Leadership. Before becoming an independent Argenta branch owner, Inge’s focus was mainly on daily operations. As a generalist, she relied heavily on her intuition - with great success. Her strong network of talented professionals also helped her a lot along the way. Through the AMS masterclasses, she built a solid theoretical framework to make even stronger, more well-founded decisions.
A confrontation with yourself
Beyond the valuable insights from her professors - who are themselves closely connected to the business world - the NeuroTrainingLab™ at AMS really made a difference for Inge. In the NeuroTrainingLab™, you’re faced with real-life scenarios and tested on how you react under pressure. Using a headset and visualized biometric data, you gain insights into your emotional responses. For Inge, this was eye-opening - but also confronting. “When you smile a lot, you can hide behind that. I often come across as very confident, but in reality, that’s not always true. I love to talk and I hate awkward silences. So in the past, I probably put words in my team’s mouths too often.” The AMS masterclasses gave Inge not only deeper insights into business economics, but also into herself as a leader.
“Thanks to the courses, I learned more about leadership, but also about myself.”
The same self, just stronger
With this extra knowledge and experience, Inge has become a different kind of leader. She has always led with a lot of empathy, but she to being a bit of a control freak too. “Now, I let my team speak up more. And if there’s a pause in the conversation, I leave space for people to think things through.”
Inge likes to compare it to horseback riding. “You can’t force a horse to move a certain way if it doesn’t want to. At AMS, Professor Peeraer confirmed for me that the same idea applies to leadership. You can’t force people to adapt to your way of working. You have to adjust your leadership style to what they need. Go with the flow.”
Interactive and productive
In the end, it was the philosophy - opening minds to impact the world - and the professors that convinced Inge to choose AMS. The programs encourage you to look at challenges with an open, critical, and constructive mindset. The theoretical framework is enriched with real-life examples and practical tips you can apply in your own business. Inge also found the interaction with her fellow students extremely valuable. “Our group included people from SMEs, multinationals, and government agencies, ranging from young professionals to seasoned experts, and from many different nationalities. At first, I wondered what we were doing all together. But it turned out to be an incredibly enriching and complementary exchange.”
More than just selling ice cream
After completing the AMS masterclasses, Inge felt better equipped to decide how she wants to make an impact as a leader. For her, that starts within the bigger Argenta story. She wants to grow her branch in a healthy way. “I want to get the most out of my business and my people, but in a fair and authentic way. I’m not going to sell products I don’t believe in or have conversations that make me uncomfortable.” She accepts that you can’t make everyone happy along the way. “As the saying goes: if you want to please everyone, just sell ice cream.”
Inge doesn’t hesitate: “Just do it. Dare to invest in yourself, both financially and personally.” Through her story, she shows that AMS masterclasses can help any professional or entrepreneur move forward. Whether you’re running an SME, working independently, or part of a large organization, AMS guides you to make an even greater impact on the people and the world around you.
