Arnold Hoek knew that setting up a company renting out motorised Solex bikes would fill a gap in the market. Nevertheless the 57-year-old on sickness pay could not find a single bank willing to grant him a loan. In spite of this, Mr Hoek has been able to fulfil his dream, because of microcredit.
 
Before he got microcredit, he didn't know these kind of loans were available in the Netherlands. But he thinks it is logical that microfinance is not just available to people in developing countries: "The story about a farmer who can buy a cow thanks to microcredit is one I can empathise with, because I'm actually in the same situation."