Ons Verhaal
How a joke
on a boat
became a brand
full of colour and fun.
In the Easter weekend of 2018, three land scouts were lazily lying on the foredeck of a sailing boat near Mook.
One joke, one question and the idea for Funbadges was born. This is the real story.
Damian Verwater – Chief Fun Officer · Started in 2018 · Chamber of Commerce registration 2020
CHAPTER ONE
The beginning -
three scouts on a boat
If you had asked in the Easter weekend of 2018 where Funbadges would ever begin, nobody would have said: "On the foredeck of a boat, somewhere near Mook."
But that's exactly where it happened. During the Scouting HIT we were sailing across the water a breeze, a relaxed atmosphere, and three land scouts lying on the foredeck lazing about as if it were an all-inclusive cruise. We looked at each other, grinned, and teasingly called them: "Deksletten." (Deck Sluts)
A familiar joke within water scouting, but this time so fitting that everyone roared with laughter. And then something special happened — it was no longer just a joke.
2020
Scouting HIT · Mook · Easter 2018
One of the scouts asked: "Could we earn a badge for this?"
That simple sentence set everything in motion. Because why should badges only exist for achievements, diplomas or serious categories? Why not badges for humour, for moments, for inside jokes? For fun?
As a graphic designer I thought: "I can sort this." But I quickly discovered that having badges made in small quantities was not at all that simple. 25 to 50 pieces, expensive production runs, little choice, little personal contact.
"If nobody does it well… then you do it yourself."
- Damian Verwater, Chief Fun Officer
The first badge, 2018
The very first badge
The Dekslet -
five pieces
The very first badge I ever made and sold was of course the Dekslet. Five pieces, made especially for the scouts who had created that hilarious moment on the foredeck.
They wore my badge as a tribute to a joke that had grown into an idea. It felt fantastic not just because they wanted it, but because I had made something that people wore with pride.
"That was the moment I thought: there's more to this."
In the weeks that followed, my designs started spreading like WhatsApp stickers not in one group, but in several. The more I saw them, the clearer it became that there was a need for something playful, recognisable and accessible.
CHAPTER TWO
From school project
to real business
THE SCHOOL PROJECT THAT BECAME A REAL BUSINESS
€200 startkapitaal.
Onbeperkt lef.
The real acceleration came when I got the school assignment to come up with a fictional business. But why fictional, when I had just discovered that a real idea was making people happy?
So I decided: my school project would become Funbadges.From that moment, the idea turned into a plan, and that plan slowly began to take the shape of a brand.
On 5 March 2020 I officially registered Funbadges with the Chamber of Commerce. That felt big not just because it was now official, but also because I had always heard at home that starting your own business "wasn't a good idea". With my father's support I took that step anyway, and it changed everything.
"With exactly €200 I began this adventure. Two designs, 25 pieces each. Everything I sold, I immediately reinvested in new badges."
No investors. No loans. Just building with what I had — badge by badge, customer by customer. The webshop grew. The range grew. Customer trust grew.
And so Funbadges gradually grew into something I'm truly proud of: a brand that revolves around people, not production.
"Badges aren't accessories you just 'wear'. They are a way to show who you are, what you stand for, or what you're proud of."
Two designs, 25 pieces each.
That's all I needed to start.
From five Dekslet badges to one of the
largest badge collections in the Netherlands.
The Dekslet. Five pieces. One joke on
a boat. The beginning of everything.
From the scouts who were always there,
to customers we never expected.
CHAPTER THREE
A community of
colour and creativity
Slowly something beautiful emerged: a community that valued fun, creativity and identity. People who wanted to show themselves on a jacket, bag, battle jacket, scout shirt, carnival outfit or airsoft gear.
I got to help shape those stories, and to this day that's one of the most beautiful parts of Funbadges. Every design I make carries someone's story. Every badge that's worn is a small piece of identity that someone shares with the world.
What started with a few designs grew into a range of more than 450 badges, collaborations with brands like Klokbier, and a growing group of customers who wanted to tell their own story.
Funbadges on events through the netherlands
Funbadges isn't about volume, not about speed, not about production. It's about people. About identity. About fun. About that one moment when someone thinks: "This is me."
Every time I see someone walking around with a badge I designed, I feel that again. It's a small piece of personality that someone shares with the world.
Damian Verwater · Chief Fun Officer
THE FACE OF FUNBADGES
Damian Verwater -
Chief Fun Officer
Today I proudly carry the title Chief Fun Officer (CFO). Looking back I realise that everything started with three scouts, a boat, a joke and an idea nobody saw coming - except perhaps a badge or two.
The future of Funbadges isn't about growing as big as possible as fast as possible. Growth is fine, but never at the expense of the feeling that makes Funbadges what it is. The focus is on more personal items, more creative collaborations, and always that one thing that makes us special:
"We are not an anonymous webshop. Behind every order is a person. Behind every badge a story. That is exactly why Funbadges exists."
Collaborations with brands, events and communities continue to play a big role. Not because we have to but because it fits.
THE DNA OF FUNBADGES
What makes Funbadges
different
Not one thing. But the combination of six things we try to live up to every single day.
😄
Humour is not the exception
At Funbadges we believe humour is allowed. Better yet: humour belongs. Our badges tell stories that are sometimes serious, sometimes tough, sometimes cute but always genuine.
🤝
Everyone belongs
Airsofter, proud parent, chaotic scout, carnival fanatic or just someone who wants to brighten up their jumper at Funbadges you belong. No judgement, no barrier.
✏️
You bring the idea
You don't need to be a designer. No vector file. No perfect brief. A sketch, a photo or a description is enough we think along for the rest.
👤
Always personal
No anonymous webshop. Every request is handled personally, from first idea to final result. Honest advice, always reachable also via WhatsApp.
⚡
Accessible building
What started with €200 and 50 badges grows badge by badge. We don't believe in "volume is profit". We believe in: start small, build genuinely.
👕
Not bigger, but better
The future of Funbadges is colourful, creative and personal. Not faster for the sake of being faster but better, because more and more people want to wear their story.
ONS MANIFEST
"Let's brighten the world together one badge at a time."
At Funbadges we believe every smile counts and that small, playful details make the difference. What started as a lighthearted joke a badge for the "Deksletten" during a sailing trip grew into a mission: bringing fun, recognisability and personality to clothing and accessories.
And as long as there are people who want to wear their story, Funbadges will keep doing what it has always done: turning ideas into badges, and badges into a smile.
— Damian Verwater · Chief Fun Officer · Funbadges, Barendrecht
Ready to wear yourown story?
Whether you want to immortalise an inside joke, unite your team,
or just want something that truly fits you we're here for you.