When I tell people about my frequent travels, they often find it cool – and honestly, it is pretty cool. It's about experiencing new cultures, meeting new people, and even learning the most basic things. Like, did you know that in St. Gallen, Switzerland, they don't speak German, but Swiss German? It's one of those small revelations that make the journey even more exciting. But here's the thing, when you're traveling for business, it's a whole different ball game. You usually see airports, train stations, hotels, and meeting rooms in the cities you visit. If I have the time, I try to take a stroll from my hotel to the meeting place to soak in a bit of the local atmosphere.
So, I thought it might be a good idea to share a snapshot of my typical week, from one Monday to the next. My hope is that it can help others who are thinking about diving into the world of entrepreneurship. Trust me; it's not all glitz and glamour. It takes a toll on you physically and mentally. This is just the 'fun' part of the work. Here's a peek into my diary from last week.
Monday: Hungary
My week started in Budapest, Hungary, where I kicked things off with a test on a football field near the city. It took weeks of negotiations to make it happen, but we finally got there. Having played football as a goalkeeper from the age of 7 until I was forced to quit the game at the age of 21 due to health reasons, even at a semi-professional level, I have a deep and abiding love for everything about this sport.
Tuesday: London, United Kingdom
I've been fortunate to have incredible advisors and mentors in my corner. One of the best is Graham from Gill Jennings and Every LLP, a top IP and Patent law firm. Meetings with Graham are always enlightening. In just an hour, I learn a ton about patents, intellectual property, and most importantly, how to safeguard them. Knowing your way around IP and patent strategy is a must, especially when dealing with big players. I've picked up tips on how to talk to clients and investors and what secret sauce to keep under wraps. Trust me; there's a good reason for that.
Wednesday: London, United Kingdom
As a designer, I live for the opportunity to apply design thinking to our product development. It was a treat to collaborate with fellow designers, Darren and Leo from The Engine Room, a design and brand agency based in Yorkshire. These folks are no slouches; they've bagged six Design Effectiveness Awards. Our workshop was all about enhancing our brand communication, making sure we can clearly convey our vision and the positive impact we bring to our clients' businesses.
Thursday - Friday: Copenhagen, Denmark
We're part of the EIT Sustainable City Accelerator Program, and our latest pitstop was in Copenhagen. It was a gathering organized by Mads from the Danish Technical University. We spent two days learning from each other and other entrepreneurs, like Teit Knudsen, co-founder of Fuuzo – the African equivalent of Wolt/Uber. We fine-tuned our investor presentation and worked on our pitches for the Tomorrow Mobility World Congress - held 7-9 November 2023 in Barcelona
Friday: Berlin, Germany
From Copenhagen, I hopped on a plane to Berlin for a meeting with one of the world's largest private service providers in ambulance, rescue, and fire departments. This meeting was something special, not just because it was brilliant but because it aligned perfectly with our core mission – building a better, safer future for everyone, not just the lucky few. We explored how our innovative technology could revolutionize their digital training methods on a large scale.
Monday: Haiger, Germany
After returning from Berlin to Budapest on Saturday, I set off on an early morning road trip to Haiger. Nearly 11 hours and 1,040 km later, I arrived in time for a meeting with a world-leading supplier of welding, laser cutting tech, robotics, and automation. It was a privilege to explore their factory and witness machines and tech that are typically only seen on TV. The meeting was highly productive, and it was a chance to showcase how our technology can bring value to the table.
You know, my parents always told me to make myself useful. And while I haven't always followed their advice, I've certainly tried.
I want to leave you with this thought. Building a company from scratch is no small feat, and it's not for the faint of heart. But if you have a dream, a vision, and the determination to see it through, you owe it to yourself to pursue it. Don't be discouraged by the bumps in the road – they're part of the journey.
You'll face setbacks, but remember, they're often stepping stones to your ultimate success.
So, embrace the adventure, learn from every experience, and keep pushing forward. Your dream is worth it, and your journey is just beginning. In the end, you do it because it's your calling – no surprises there!
