Two sisters — one vision: to make memories tangible. In September, Merel and Mirjam de Zeeuw launched Soundbook: children’s books you not only personalize with text, but also with a voice. A gift full of emotion, engineered as a smart, technical product. In this client case, the sisters share how their idea came to life, and how they used Prindustry’s software to build an order portal that ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
Client
Soundbook
Year
2025
Techniques
Webshop
The seed of an idea: a memory that lasts
The concept of Soundbook didn’t spring up overnight — it evolved alongside life’s milestones. Merel and Mirjam had always dreamed of starting a business together. That dream gained emotional depth after their younger sister passed away three years ago from a brain tumor. “We have many photos, but you lose a voice,” Merel says. Mirjam adds: “Combine that with our motherhood journey and the search for deeper purpose, and Soundbook becomes the product that preserves a voice as a beloved keepsake.”
From dream to reality
How do you translate that vision into a real product? “Our starting point was always the voice,” says Mirjam. “What is the most meaningful medium? A book! To make that happen, over the past year we actively researched the right technology and partners.” Very quickly, they concluded that the solution needed to be simple. The gift must be easy to order online, with a frictionless process. Merel: “If the process is too complicated, people don’t follow through. In the end we landed on using a QR code for recording and playback. Especially post?Covid, everyone is used to scanning a QR code.”
A gift in four steps
The final ordering process for Soundbook is designed to be straightforward:
- Choose a book on the website and enter the name
- Place the order and receive it at home
- Scan the QR code and record the story — the book itself becomes the microphone
- Give the gift — the recipient listens via the same QR code
“We tested this extensively among our network. We thought Soundbook would be especially popular among women — mothers and grandmothers buying it as a birth or birthday gift. And that’s exactly what we see in practice. They can order the book and receive it at home easily, then record it themselves as a gift.”
Click to zoom in on the order flow
That unforgettable moment when their stories turned into real books.
Creative duo: pen and brush
Once the technical framework was set, the creative journey began. The sisters decided to do everything in?house: Mirjam writes, Merel illustrates. “It’s so fun to work on this together,” says Merel. Mirjam adds: “Writing came naturally. The challenge is using as few words as possible while still telling a compelling story. We soon landed on using contrasts: a giraffe afraid of heights, a fish without a swimming diploma, or a vegetarian tiger.” The creative energy was high: within six months they released eight original titles.
Books with heart
Soundbook is more than a novel idea — it also ties into social impact goals. “Beautiful stories can go hand in hand with care for one another.” Several social initiatives accompany their product. For each book sold, they donate one euro to KiKa Foundation. They also print on sustainable paper and promote reading aloud — an important factor in children’s language development. “A book read in a familiar voice increases engagement,” says Merel. “It strengthens the joy of reading.”
Building together with Prindustry
Soundbook partners with Prindustry for the online ordering system. “We were looking for a technical partner who doesn’t just deliver, but also thinks along and responds quickly,” says Merel. “That’s exactly what you need when you’re just starting — and the Prindustry team excels at it.” Mirjam continues: “They really think with us and are always reachable. It feels like we’re one team.” Shortly after the first conversations, the website went live — in September. Communication with Prindustry is fast and direct, so our new ideas get picked up quickly.”
New adventures: the Sinterklaas book is coming
Meanwhile, Merel and Mirjam are working on new stories. Soon they will release their ninth book: Sinterklaas and Santa Claus go on holiday together. “In the story, Sinterklaas and Santa Claus go on holiday together. We hope this becomes the perfect gift for ‘shoe-giving’ occasions — a Dutch tradition in the weeks leading up to Sinterklaas.” What’s new is that this book can be personalized with multiple names — a feature already integrated into the webshop. It’s also sold without personalization, which is useful for broader distribution. Recording with a personal voice remains possible, of course. That way, the sisters hope to gradually offer the book via physical bookstores too.
The dream for next year
Where do these young entrepreneurs hope to be in one year? Merel: “By then we hope to make a living from this entirely.” “And spend less time on the process,” adds Mirjam, “so we can fully focus on creating the books.” The core remains the same: a children’s book with a spoken voice. “We want the voice to be heard for generations to come — full of life, deeply personal, and linked to countless precious moments.”
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