Joachim Desmet

14 years experience in Sales, HR, staffing and headhunting in the complex Belgian IT landscape
10 years experience as a teamleader / manager and more than 5 years as an entrepreneur
Very driven and ambitious, though down to earth, diplomatic and out-of-the-box thinker

To clear his mind, Joachim enjoys staying active. If he’s not running, swimming, or mountain biking, you’ll likely find him kitesurfing, skiing, or practicing martial arts. He also has a passion for strategic games and FP shooters.

Joachim doesn’t have a particular hero, but he is an excellent listener who seeks to gain new personal and professional insights from everyone he meets. He believes that every conversation is valuable—regardless of someone’s experience or seniority—because wisdom and fresh perspectives can come from anywhere.

Several mottos define Joachim’s mindset and approach to life:

• The only certainty is change, so always be prepared.
• Small problems will eventually grow big—address them early.
• If you forget to prepare, you are preparing to be forgotten.
• Everyone has struggles, big or small—be kind, as you never know what lies beneath the surface.

When it comes to advice for his younger self, Joachim wouldn’t change a thing. Every mistake he has made (and continues to make) has shaped the person he is today. He firmly believes that overcoming challenges has brought him to where he is now. That said, he would tell his younger self one thing: buy Bitcoin sooner!

Experiencing the power of mentorship—especially through Ambits—was an eye-opener for him. Joachim has always learned from people further along in their careers, but that was more about absorbing valuable (life or business) lessons rather than true one-on-one mentoring.
A mentor, however, walks alongside you through obstacles, serving as an essential sparring partner. This is something he wants others to benefit from as well—helping mentees go further and reach higher by sometimes taking a moment to pause.

With his experience, insights, and network, Joachim helps young managers and startup entrepreneurs reflect deeply on their business while also fostering a healthy work-life balance. He listens carefully to his mentees’ concerns and works with them to explore alternative solutions—guiding them toward becoming the best version of themselves.