Writing again at the end of this year, sitting and watching my third co-founded product grow wildly over the past 36 hours, is something I honestly thought I wouldn't experience in my life, at least not yet. How does it feel to experience something you created being used by real people to solve real problems? People emailing you to tell you what a great product you built and how excited they are. I mean, is this real? Should someone pinch me or something? Maybe it's the magic of Christmas. Who knows, right?

Where we left off

Let's pick things up from where we left them a year ago. Back then, I was nervous and anxious about taking a new step, opening my own company, handling my own financials, and carrying responsibilities I had never carried before. For a 9-5er (yes, that's what we'll call them from now on), it's a leap of faith to dive straight into the chaos of entrepreneurship, and even more so when you're located in Greece. Bureaucracy, endless obstacles, and complicated processes are just a few of the things you face here. And yet, it happened.

One year later

Fast forward one year. Three products live and profitable (nope, I'm not joking), a new step into a new company with fresh and positive vibes, and new faces in my network and social circle. People who genuinely make me ten times better. Mentors who started as random podcast guest connections on LinkedIn. Managers who became founding members alongside me, and also close friends. So many things this year came my way, and most importantly, good health for me, my family, and my friends.

Growing together

Kostas is still the same person who keeps pushing me forward. Or maybe he isn't. When you talk with someone most of the day, it's not easy to notice the growth, neither his nor yours. That's because we grow together. Is this a Hollywood movie scenario or what? What are the chances of growing alongside your friend and later becoming his best man at his wedding?

Breaking out of the comfort zone

And then it comes down to the reasons someone chooses to break out of their comfort zone. Usually, it’s ego and the ethic of growth, the need to push limits and stand tall among “rivals.” The second reason is the urge to create and do things that would be impossible without choosing this path.

For me, the second one was the driving force behind all of this. My background was not built on a luxurious life, quite the opposite. Coming from a family that always did its best to provide for me, even when it came to the most basic things, I want to keep moving forward to create for all of us.

Still, both reasons will make you go through fire and hardship when trying to build your own path and your own business. For that alone, anyone who builds from the ground up has my ultimate respect.

The highs and lows

If I had to capture this past year in a single image, it would look like the cardiogram of a seriously ill patient, full of wild highs and deep lows. From the happiness of business wins, getting my speedboat license, successful ventures, and travels abroad—things very few people get to experience—to the loss of dear people close to me. What a year indeed.

Not a reflection, but a Thank You

And no, this is not a reflection. Reflect on what, exactly? How we keep moving forward in such a mad world is something I still don't fully understand.

Instead of reflecting, this article is a message to all those people. Family, friends, guests, and those who had nothing to gain yet helped freely. A big thank you. I truly wish you nothing but the best and that you achieve everything you've ever dreamed of.

To Artemis

And of course, Artemis. Still here, even while living with someone who works almost 24/7. Even though she wants to complain, she keeps it inside. To her, I'll say this (and if she reads it, I won't tell her I wrote this). Better days will come, just as bad days will too. But on the good days, we'll celebrate like no other. We'll live extraordinary moments because we can, and because I've proven to myself that anything is possible.

Dreams don't die easily

Closing with one final thought: even if you live in a country like Greece, which many people consider the worst place in Europe, others prove them wrong every day. Success stories still exist here, and dreams don’t die easily.

Yes, George, I'm looking at you.

Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!