Twenty-three-year-old Merrelyn and twenty-seven-year-old Joel are two of the voices behind FreelanceSU. With their expertise in customer support, sales, and marketing, they know how to make customers feel heard, and how to transform calls into connections.

Based in Suriname, FreelanceSU is a dynamic calling team fluent in both Dutch and English. They work closely with Rhamnous’ international and Dutch partners to boost sales efforts, drive growth, and unlock new opportunities across multiple markets. 

We caught up with Merrelyn and Joel to dive into their story and find out what makes them thrive in customer connections.

What skills do you rely on to succeed in your role?

Merrelyn: I think it’s my charm, my personality, and my experience. To build successful relationships over the phone, you need to be solution-oriented, have good listening skills, show empathy, have patience, and be able to perform well under pressure.

Joel: Key skills that help me succeed are perseverance, creative problem-solving, and multitasking. I’m able to think outside the box to connect with customers in unique ways. I am really focused on hitting my targets, without losing sight of what the customer needs, what value I can bring them.

How would your clients describe you?

Merrelyn: I think they would describe me as professional, organized, friendly, and calm. Being organized is a big part of who I am, and I think that my clients appreciate that.

It’s also one of the things I love about the collaboration with Rhamnous. We maintain a clear and frequent communication, so that we can work together as effectively as possible.

Joel: I have worked in customer support for NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen) for a few years, where customers had the opportunity to provide feedback about the support they received. I’ve always received positive feedback. Customers would describe my interaction with them as smooth, genuine and efficient. I’m quite proud of that.

I think it also shows in my collaboration with the Rhamnous Community partners. Especially because we focus on building real connections, so it is key to be yourself and to be sincere.

What are some important lessons you’ve learned in your career?

Merrelyn: Effective communication in the workplace is essential. Don’t keep things to yourself—it's important to talk and share with each other.

In challenging situations, focus on showing empathy while maintaining a solution-oriented mindset. These are strengths I’ve learned and developed throughout my career.

Joel: Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re only human, you make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. This has helped me grow and persevere, even in high-pressure roles.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Merrelyn: In my free time, I love reading and spending time outdoors. That makes me genuinely happy. I don’t need a lot of excitement in my life.

Joel: I do sports, I love reading, and I enjoy cooking. I even have my own side business, preparing tasty dishes and cocktails.

What are your future plans?

Merrelyn: I want to grow in what I’m currently doing. This coming year, I aim to learn as much as possible. I love challenging myself and broadening my horizons. The Dutch and international partners from the Rhamnous Community should offer plenty of opportunities for that.

Joel: I would like to do more travelling in the next few years. Travelling offers so many opportunities to learn and grow. I also hope to expand my own food business in the near future.

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