Young Entrepreneur Rebuilds Life After Business Failure Leads to Homelessness
Tongeren, Belgium - A 22-year-old entrepreneur who once ran a thriving fry shop is now rebuilding his life after bankruptcy left him homeless. Impe Claes, who took over Jacks’s foodpoint in Tongeren at age 19, is currently residing at vzw Homie, a center for homeless young people in Kuringen, as he navigates a path toward recovery. His story will be featured Tuesday on the VRT 1 program “Caring for Mama” and available on VRT Max.
Claes’s journey began with a strong work ethic, holding a near full-time job at a tongeren fryer while still in sixth form secondary school. He quickly learned the realities of independent business ownership, assisting with customer service, order taking, and even accounting. This experience fueled his ambition to acquire the foodpoint from his employer, a venture he pursued despite his parents’ reservations. The purchase, costing around 40,000 euros, initially proved accomplished, generating a monthly turnover of 30,000 euros.
Though, a series of costly equipment failures – including a broken grill, extractor, fryer, and cooling unit – totaling 60,000 euros, quickly derailed his progress. Despite a year of intensive work and debt repayment through a job at DAF in Eindhoven,a subsequent layoff plunged him back into financial hardship. “I find that expressing that word very challenging. Admitting that I live in poverty needs a lot of processing,” Claes admits.
The financial strain took a severe toll on his mental health. “Honestly? I was done with life and had suicidal thoughts,” he confessed. “I slept until three o’clock in the afternoon and for the rest just stared in front of me. It wasn’t dark in my head, but pitch black…”
Now, Claes is focused on recovery and rebuilding his future. While the possibility of launching another business remains open, he is currently prioritizing his well-being and stability. Viewers can learn more about his story on “Caring for Mama,” airing Tuesday at 8:45 pm on VRT 1 and VRT Max: https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/zorgen-voor-mama/#afleveringen.
