Riny Douma interned at his own company
- Music
Imagine this: you’re in your second or third year at ArtEZ, already working hard to set up your own business. Yet, you find that school and other commitments take up a significant chunk of your time, making it difficult to focus on your venture entirely. The solution? Doing an internship within your own company (SLIEB). That’s precisely what Riny Douma, a Jazz and Pop student at the Academy of Music in Zwolle, did with his music school. “We’re now exploring multiple locations.”
It all started last year with a small practice space, a single student, and two drum kits. Muziekles Harderwijk has grown into a professional business with over 30 students and six music teachers. Even Riny Douma, the founder and Jazz & Pop student at ArtEZ Conservatory in Zwolle, didn’t expect it to take off so quickly. “In my second year, I started teaching drums in a practice room in Harderwijk,” Riny recalls. “Before long, a fellow student who teaches guitar joined me, and we launched a website together. Gradually, the demand for more music teachers grew. If a prospective student expressed interest in vocal lessons, we’d ask around in our class to see who wanted to teach. And from there, things just kept building.”
Combining entrepreneurship and study points
In the early days, Riny managed his music school in the rare spare hours left after his studies, often pulling all-nighters. That changed when he discovered the SLIEB program—an internship within your business. Offered as part of the Topsportregeling (TOR) at ArtEZ, SLIEB allows art students to combine their studies with running a business. Riny seized the opportunity and hasn’t looked back since. “Thanks to SLIEB, I can fully focus on my business while earning study points,” he explains. During his SLIEB internship, he worked on professionalizing his music school and explored ways to expand it to multiple locations.
Learning and networking
Art students participating in SLIEB also engage with the LevelUP! program by Saxion, which offers a personalized entrepreneurship track. “The internship runs from September to January,” says Riny. “Every Thursday, we gather with other students for lectures, workshops, or entrepreneur markets.” Participants also share experiences in a group chat and follow the same development track. “It’s great to brainstorm with other entrepreneurs,” Riny says. “Some already have established businesses, while others are starting with a strong business plan. Both paths are possible.”
Scaling up
Now nearing the end of his internship, Riny reflects on a successful experience. “Not everyone at ArtEZ knows about this program yet, but I’d recommend it to students with a business or business plan. It requires discipline and strong communication since you’re essentially your own internship supervisor. But thanks to SLIEB, I had the unique opportunity to work on my business with guidance while earning study points.” Riny believes starting a business during your studies prepares you for life after graduation. His plans for Muziekles Harderwijk are ambitious yet grounded: “We want to open more locations in the future, but without losing the personal connection with our students. It’s essential that they feel seen and valued—that will always remain our priority.”
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