TK Ventures has a long history in Entrepreneurship, Investing, and Growing Businesses. Since 1985, the Bentlages have been growing a profitable, versatile portfolio of businesses. They have an unmistakable passion for what they do, and enjoy connecting with other intelligent, inspired, investor-entrepreneurs.
About The Owners
Education
Stichting Opleiding Leraren - bachelors, Mathematics and Literature
Eindhoven University of Technology - MBA, Economics and Marketing
Partner
Antonius (Twan) Bentlage
Antonius (Twan) Bentlage is currently serving in multiple roles throughout his various businesses, most notably as area developer and owner within the European Wax Center franchise.
Twan received his education in his native Holland, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Literature and subsequently his Masters Degree in Economics and Marketing.
While earning his Masters Degree, Twan concurrently served as a marketing manager at Phillips Lighting, a large multinational company. After a successful career at Phillips, Twan made the decision to leave the company and join his wife in developing their own tanning distribution company – Future Industries of America. By leveraging his business contacts and experience along with tireless effort, Twan was able to land several exclusive and successful deals with industry leading manufacturers. Such deals led to his position as Chairman of Dr Muller Northeast, Inc. and an exclusive importation deal with the industry leading tanning bed manufacturer. Additionally, Twan created and marketed his own line of indoor tanning lamps under the name AUVL, now one of the industry’s leading products. Further diversification strategies, such as the formation of a capital equipment finance and leasing company, allowed Future Industries of America to grow from a small distribution company into the second largest distributor in the tanning industry. Future Industries recently sold after 30 years of business.
While filling the role of CEO of Future Industries, industry shrinkage motivated Twan to diversify into other markets, settling on 2 franchise opportunities – European Wax Center (EWC) and Massage Envy. Once again Twan used his diverse business experiences to secure exclusive northeast area developer rights for the European Wax Center franchise chain. As an area developer, Twan has played a large role in catapulting this once small family owned business into one of the top 10 and fastest-growing franchises as recently rated by INC magazine. His contributions have allowed European Wax Center to grow at astounding rates while maintaining enormous success for individual franchisees. Twan also personally owns and operates 8 European Wax Centers within the Manhattan and Boston regions.
In addition to his retail locations within the European Wax Center franchise, Twan also owns 2 Massage Envy stores within the Boston area.
Mr. Bentlage’s successes, determination, and strong business acumen is matched only by his passion for family. His rare moments away from the day to day operations of his businesses are spent with his wife and two children, Dillon and Josie. They enjoy foreign and domestic travel; always with their golf clubs in tote.
Activities & Affiliations
Former Board Member, Indoor Tanning Association
Board Member, Boys and Girls Club
Board Member, Entrepreneurs Organization CT
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - EMP, Entrepreneurial Masters Program
Partner
Karen Bentlage
Karen Bentlage is currently serving in multiple roles throughout her various businesses, most notably as the Northeast Area Developer for the European Wax Center Franchise.
Karen began her career in the medical sales industry and was met with much success; however, industry shrinkage in the late 1980’s prompted Karen to begin looking elsewhere for opportunities. Karen decided to apply her business and sales experience and purchase a small tanning distribution company in a newly emerging tanning market. Through hard-work and determination Karen was able to land exclusive importation and distribution rights for critical products, diversify her business through the formation of a capital equipment finance and leasing company, and mature the business into the second largest distributor in the tanning industry. Future Industries recently sold after 30 years of business.
While filling the role of President of Future Industries, industry decline motivated Karen to diversify into other markets, settling on 2 franchise opportunities – European Wax Center (EWC) and Massage Envy. Once again Karen has used her diverse business experiences to secure exclusive northeast area developer rights for the European Wax Center franchise chain. As an area developer, Karen has played a large role in catapulting this once small family owned business into one of the top 10 and fastest-growing franchises as recently rated by INC magazine. Her contributions have allowed European Wax Center to grow at astounding rates while maintaining enormous success for individual franchisees. Karen also personally owns and operates 8 European Wax Centers within the Manhattan and Boston regions.
In addition to her retail locations within the European Wax Center franchise, Karen also owns 2 Massage Envy stores within the Boston area.
In addition to retail success, Karen has successfully worked to develop, patent and bring a revolutionary new product to market. She is also a well respected business and industry leader, serving as a board member for the Entrepreneurs Organization CT and The Indoor Tanning Association. Karen also continues to serve her community in local leadership positions at Griffin hospital and at the local chapter of the Boys and Girls club. In her spare time, Karen enjoys travel and continues to work on her golf swing in the Connecticut Women’s Golf Club.
Ms. Bentlage is married to her business partner, Twan Bentlage, and together they have two children.
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”