A week later

I’m sitting opposite a Chamber of Commerce employee. It’s not my first time applying for a one-person business registration, so I know this is primarily a formality. And I could easily have done it online. But to celebrate that I’m starting for myself again—for real, I’ve chosen to set foot inside this building again.

‘But Mr. Resink,’ sputters the employee, ‘if you don’t have a company name and don’t know what industry you want to work in, how will people find you? How will you find work?’
—‘I don’t know yet, and I don’t care. I want to be self-employed, and if I’m to send invoices for my self-employedness, I need to be registered with you. That’s why I’m here.’
‘Oww… kay… But I can’t categorise you without an indication of the industry you’ll be working in.
—‘I’m not looking to be categorised.’
‘Yes, but you must be categorised. Otherwise, I can’t register you.’
—‘Okay… Well, one of the ideas I’m walking around with is to set up a Positive Broadcasting Foundation. To bring more good news into the world.’
‘So, you’ll be working as a journalist then?’
—‘Yes, if you want to give it that name… Oh, by the way, I’m already doing that. I spent the last year making short documentaries about people who do what they love, and I’m going to keep doing that.’
‘So, then you’re also a filmmaker?’
—‘Sure, why not.’
Okay, that’s two boxes ticked. Now, I need to describe my business activities because my registration needs one of those, too. The man helping me is starting to enjoy our conversation, and after some ping-ponging, I come up with ‘Agent For Positive Change’.

‘Okay, Mr. Resink, if that’s what you want to call yourself, then that’s how I’ll register you.’