When Zoë lived in the Netherlands, life often felt like a race. “I was always busy, and everything moved quickly, but I kept asking myself: what am I doing this for?” That feeling changed seven years ago when, after spending five months in Suriname, she decided not to return to the Netherlands. “Suriname has a peace and spaciousness I had never experienced before. The stillness, the quiet, the sense that everything is connected—it truly changed me.”
Ten years after her move to Suriname, Zoë's life looks very different. She is a mother, organizes Vipassana meditation courses, and leads Talking Prints, where she creates opportunities for women in the country’s interior. “
“Suriname gave me the space to rediscover who I am and what I want”
What began as a search for peace and connection led Zoë into the heart of Suriname’s nature and villages. During one of her trips, she visited Drepada, a Maroon village in the interior. “I still remember my first visit there,” she says. “I started chatting with a few women, and one of them asked me, ‘Do you have any work for me?’ That question stayed with me.”
This moment inspired her to co-found Talking Prints with her business partner. Initially, the women of Drepada made simple tote bags and headwraps. “It started really small,” says Zoë. “Just a few designs, beautiful fabrics. But we quickly realized that people appreciated the stories behind the products.”
Today, ZZoëoe collaborates with women from ten villages, and the collection has grown into a wide range of products. She frequently partners with other (female) designers, such as Meredith Joejoera, who designed the pangimono—a kimono made from pangi fabric. “We use a lot of pangi fabrics,” Zoë explains. “These textiles carry deep meaning in the Maroon community. It’s amazing to see how this tradition is passed on while also leaving room for innovation.”
In addition to expanding the collection, Zoë is working on building a professional sewing workshop in Drepada and running a store in Paramaribo, located next to the well-known café ’t Vat. “The shop gives us the opportunity to show people what we create and teach them more about the stories behind the products.”
“If you can run a business in Suriname, you can do it anywhere.””
Entrepreneurship in Suriname isn’t without its challenges,” says Zoë. “The infrastructure here can be a bit chaotic. But it forces you to be creative and find solutions, and that actually suits me.” Despite the obstacles, Zoë sees immense potential in the country. “With Talking Prints, we had to build everything from scratch—our structure, resources, planning, and even training the women we work with. It requires a lot, but the sense of accomplishment is incredible.
Zoë emphasizes that entrepreneurship in Suriname goes beyond running a business. “We’re not just creating jobs; we’re sharing knowledge and building something that lasts. It doesn’t feel like you’re working for yourself, but also for the community. That can be complex, but it’s also the most beautiful aspect of social entrepreneurship: you make a tangible difference that you can see and feel.”
Zoë's life has also been transformed by the arrival of her daughter. “Becoming a mother has changed how I look at things,” she shares. “I’m naturally a doer, always busy with a project. My daughter has taught me how beautiful it is to live in the moment.” She and her family live in a peaceful, green area outside the city center. “Life in Suriname feels simple and real. My daughter plays in the garden, we pick fruit from the trees, and in the evenings, we watch the stars. It’s that simplicity that makes life here so special.”
"Since becoming a mother, I’ve realized that slowing down is just as important as taking action"
For Zoë, Suriname is more than just a place to live—and she doesn’t see herself returning to the Netherlands. “Living here teaches you to appreciate simplicity and focus on what truly matters,” she says. “Time seems to move differently here. It forces you to slow down and make conscious choices.”
This mindset has also shaped her work. With Talking Prints, Zoë proves that economic impact can go hand in hand with social responsibility. “Working in Suriname doesn’t just mean running a business; it means building a better future. And I enjoy that. It gives me the chance to leave behind something meaningful for others.”