At Van der Spek Sons Publishing, everything revolves around stories. The stories we create in the form of board games, but also the very story from which this company was born. We are Tom and Robert, two brothers from Edam with a shared mission: to create tangible memories.
Born from Memory, Built for the Future
Our company finds its roots in a deeply emotional year. Having already had to miss our mother for some time, we also lost our father in 2025. Following the loss of our parents, we found ourselves facing the question of how we could carry forward their creativity and love. We wanted to create a tangible memory of what they left behind for us. The answer was right there on the table: in the games we played together and the conversations that grew from them. And just like that, our board game publishing house was born.
We believe that life’s most beautiful moments do not happen on a screen, but around the kitchen table. It’s our mission to choose for the ‘analogue slow-down’. We believe in the power of physical products. Quality you can feel. Materials like wood and ink. Games that do not just sit on a shelf after a single playthrough, but endure for generations. We are currently in our exploratory phase; laying the foundations for a publishing house that stands for mindfulness, aesthetics, and connection.
Tom: The Architect of Experience
Tom, a father of two, is the creative and technical linchpin of our projects. In his daily life, he works as an iOS developer, where his heart lies firmly with the frontend—the place where technology and design meet.
“I love making things that work beautifully and are a joy to use. Technology is my tool, but user-friendliness and enjoyment always come first,” Tom says.
For him, a board game is an interactive piece of art. He approaches game mechanics and visual presentation with a designer’s eye. This love for gameplay and aesthetics shines through in his passion for board games and his own app projects. He strives for an experience where the eyes feast just as much as the mind.
Robert: The Enterprising Strategist
Robert, also a father of two, is the instigator of this adventure. He is the driving entrepreneurial force behind Van der Spek Sons. With a background in business development and strategy, and living in the sweeping landscapes of Friesland, he looks toward the future of the publishing house with a keen entrepreneurial eye.
For Robert, starting this company is about more than just manufacturing products; it is about building a brand with a soul. Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur, he safeguards the long-term vision and direction of the business. He is the one who builds connections. Explores the market. And ensures that creative ideas are transformed into a solid enterprise. Robert believes in the power of a strong mission: building a legacy that does justice to the past, whilst remaining entirely focused on the world of tomorrow.
The Journey Has Only Just Begun
We are currently at the very start of our adventure. No packed warehouses or physical workshops just yet, but rather a table overflowing with ideas, sketches, and initial concepts that we are currently putting to the test. We are taking our time to refine every single detail, exactly the way we were brought up to do. We look forward to taking you along on our quest to create the ultimate board game.
This is a story of creation and connection. We invite you to write this new chapter of our publishing house right alongside us. Follow our journey as we grow from an initial spark into a tangible product, with all the triumphs and challenges that come with it.
Tom & Robert van der Spek