The yes story

The Story of yes rent a car Samos

1994 I came to Samos from the Netherlands. I got to know the tourism industry — and met my wife Britt. We travelled a lot and saw many places, but after nine years (in 2003), I started feeling a growing excitement inside me. An idea that had been in my mind for a long time began to take shape: to start my own car rental company on Samos. The plan was clear – the focus should be on the airport, and bookings should be possible via the internet, something that was still quite new for local businesses at the time.

2004, things really got started. After a mountain of paperwork, we finally managed to officially establish the company. Our friends Jannis and Ulrike Taleporou were a tremendous help in the process.
Finding the right name was a real challenge. I thought long and hard and tried countless names… until I returned to a word I had been using for years whenever something succeeded: yes. Three simple letters – with a strong message. That’s how yes rent a car samos was born.

Internet and website


From the very beginning, it was clear: everything should run through our own website. Of course, the big providers were already active on Samos and working with online bookings. But a truly local company with its own website like yes rent a car – that was rare. Luckily, I have a digital background and was able to create websites myself – so I built our site right from the start – with great success.

Family and Friends

We started small, with just ten cars. Family and friends helped wherever they could: washing cars, preparing contracts, picking up guests at the airport, delivering vehicles across the island, and collecting them again at night. For a short time, even my friend Michael came over from Mallorca to help – a huge support during those intense early days.

Team

In 2008, Kordula Kuhn joined yes. We had known each other since 1994 and were a strong team for many years. Kordula supported us with great dedication for a long time. And even though she no longer works at yes today, I am very grateful to her for that.

As the number of guests grew, so did our fleet. We needed reinforcements – and we found them in Brigitte Stern, who made sure our cars always looked perfect. She did her job so well that we soon named her the “head of the yes beauty salon.” Over time, Brigitte took on more and more responsibilities – today, she is my right hand. She manages all the planning, and thanks to her Swiss punctuality and her attention to detail, everything runs like clockwork.

Expanding

yes rent a car kept growing. With more cars came more responsibilities. That’s when Nicos Apostolou joined us – our Greek all-rounder. Whether it was logistics, customer service, or emergencies – Nicos was always there. Later, Costa came on board, further strengthening our yes team.
We’ve always invested locally in our fleet. And of course, cars need maintenance. For that, we have Jorgos and his workshop – a true professional who’s been keeping all our vehicles in top condition and handling the service for over 20 years. Reliable and skilled – his expertise is priceless.

Travel Forums & Sponsorships

Over the years, our website has naturally evolved. Today, yes rent a car Samos can be found everywhere and is recommended on many websites and travel platforms. In 2024, we reached a milestone we’re especially proud of: as the only local car rental company on Samos, we received over 750 five-star Google reviews from our guests – thank you for that!

But our work doesn’t stop at business. We’ve always aimed to give something back to the Samos community. That’s why we support local clubs and initiatives – from youth football, volleyball, and beach volleyball to Animal Care Samos, The Forgotten Dogs of Samos, and Streetcats of Samos – organizations that work tirelessly for the well-being of both people and animals on the island.
We also proudly sponsor the region’s largest music event: the Ireon Music Festival.

Future

In 2025, we also opened our own parking area at the airport. There is now a new, clearly visible meeting point for guests picking up their cars – easy to find and clearly marked with a kiosk.

We will continue to work hard to maintain our service and always be there for our guests, so they can explore Samos with mobility and flexibility. Because our motto remains:

Thanks

Behind the scenes, yes has always been – and remains – a true family business. The support of my wife Britt and my son Leon has been indispensable from the very beginning – their help, trust, and dedication are the quiet driving force behind our success.

A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful guests I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the past 20 years. Thank you for placing your trust in yes rent a car – it means a lot to me!

From a dream in 2003 to one of the leading local companies on Samos.
yes rent a car is built on hard work, trust, friendship, and a deep love for the island of Samos – and above all, on the one word that started it all:

Sandy R. Nieuwenhof