Happinez founder Inez van Oord

Inez van Oord, creator and first editor-in-chief of the well-known magazine Happinez, has become the forerunner of the Walk of Wisdom. 

In 2003 she launched a new concept for a magazine that wanted to combine attention to spirituality and meaning with a sense of layout and appearance. She marketed the magazine without market research or trendy focus groups, purely on a ‘good feeling’. That feeling was soon confirmed: Happinez grew into the largest glossy magazine in the Netherlands with a paid circulation of around 200,000 copies. 

Although the magazine is also criticized for its extensive advertising, it clearly fills a need.  Sociologist of religion Erik Sengers:  ‘People discover the downside of individualisation and go in search of mystery and meaning. Happinez is not sectarian and covers everything from Christianity and Buddhism to New Age. ́ What is also striking in the magazine is the attention paid to sustainability and fair trade. 

In short, Inez van Oord has succeeded in making space and attention for philosophies in a deeply materialistic time and that deserves great respect. In the Netherlands, she is an important voice for the importance of other values than just success, wealth or beauty. We are therefore pleased with the moral support of the sympathetic and inspired, energetic Inez van Oord and hope that many of her (former) readers will follow in her footsteps. 

 Sources:

http://mens-en-samenleving.infonu.nl/psychologie/58601-het-succes-van-happinez-magazine-verklaard.html
http://www.weekbladpers.nl/web/Adverteren-1/Happinez-1/Het-blad.html