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.
Twan’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 a seasoned entrepreneur and certified Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) Implementer who has founded, scaled, and successfully exited five businesses across multiple industries, including a national distribution company and multiple franchise operations. Most recently, she sold both her Massage Envy franchises and the Northeast Area Developer rights for European Wax Center (EWC), where she was a key force behind one of the fastest-growing franchise brands in the country.
Karen began her career in medical sales before pivoting to entrepreneurship, acquiring and transforming a small tanning distribution business into Future Industries, which she grew into the second-largest distributor in the U.S. tanning industry. Over 30 years, she expanded the business to include capital equipment financing and exclusive import rights for key products. Future Industries was sold after three decades of innovation and leadership.
During her tenure at Future Industries, Karen diversified into franchising, opening multiple Massage Envy and European Wax Center (EWC) locations. She eventually acquired exclusive Area Developer rights for EWC in the Northeast, overseeing explosive growth and mentoring dozens of franchisees while also operating eight successful EWC centers in Manhattan and Boston. During this time, she also developed and patented a consumer product, bringing it from concept to market.
Today, Karen focuses on her work as an EOS Implementer, guiding leadership teams through structured implementation of the EOS framework. Her work emphasizes team alignment, strategic focus, and disciplined execution using a practical, hands-on approach backed by more than 30 years of operational and leadership experience.
Karen has held a range of leadership and advisory roles throughout her career. She is an active participant in MIT’s Gathering of Titans, a program for seasoned entrepreneurs, and has served with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Connecticut Chapter, the Indoor Tanning Association, Griffin Hospital, and the Boys and Girls Club.
Karen lives in New Hampshire with her husband and business partner, Twan Bentlage. Together, they have raised two children who share their passion for entrepreneurship. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, golfing, and playing pickleball.
“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”