Back in Business - a new tale begins

Starting a company is like riding a rollercoaster. There are exhilarating highs, terrifying lows, and moments where you question why you got on this thing in the first place. But through it all, there's one thing that matters most - the people you have around you.

As the co-founder of 11Sigma , I and my business partner Karol Maciaszek know this all too well. We built a team of dedicated and talented individuals who were passionate about technology and really good at software development. We were a fully remote and distributed company and had a vision to help people and companies reach their full potential wherever in the world they wanted to be. We used a unique approach pioneering the mindset-first assessments so that all of our engineers and first-and-foremost aligned with our clients' values and culture, and yet we took no shortcuts when it came to technical proficiency.

Looking back, I can honestly say that starting 11Sigma was one of the best decisions I've ever made. We learned more in those three years than in our entire careers, met incredible people, and - in those three years - grew from just two people opening a company over a zoom call to almost 3 million PLN in annual revenue.?

We created a brand, made friends in and outside the industry, and build a company that always put its team members above all. We helped our staff grow, we saw them flourish, build personal brands, achieve their career goals, and get promoted. It was a huge personal success for all of us, and we couldn't have done it without each other. Plus, it was a ton of fun! Our week-long retreats to boat houses or SPA resorts at the lakeside are something I will never forget.

But let me tell you, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. We were new to the business and had to learn everything from scratch. It was like trying to build a plane while flying it at the same time. But we didn't give up. We kept pushing forward, learning from our mistakes, and never losing sight of our vision.

It all started with a simple thought. We wanted to connect software engineers with the best startups and help them grow professionally and personally. It wasn't always easy, but it was always rewarding.

As with any business, though, there were ups and downs. We faced challenges, made mistakes, and had to pivot our strategy when necessary. One of the biggest decisions we made was to semi-exit the company by selling our assets to two of our clients. That itself was also an incredible success because it validated we deliver value. It also gave us the freedom to explore new options and dream big. And that's exactly what we did.

So now, I'm excited to announce that I'm embarking on a new journey - a startup in AI that will assist people and businesses in their work. The tools and technologies we're starting to see adopted are mind-blowing, and I can't wait to be a part of it. And surprise, this post is actually ghost-written by AI!

Another thrilling news is that we're not abandoning 11Sigma completely. We're taking on new software development projects and keeping the business alive while we explore new opportunities. It's like having two children - we love them both equally, even if one is a bit more high-maintenance than the other.

Thanks for joining me on this journey down memory lane. I hope my reflections on resilience, vision, and relationships have struck a chord with you, and that you're feeling inspired to tackle your own challenges head-on.

But wait, there's more! In my next post, I'll be sharing a personal story about the break we took between selling 11Sigma's assets and starting our new venture. It's a tale of reflection, refocusing, and rediscovery - and I can't wait to share it with you.

So stay tuned, dear folks, and get ready to embark on this journey with me once again. We're in for a wild ride, full of twists, turns, and unexpected insights. See you soon!

#startup #entrepreneurship #ai #softwaredevelopment #venturecapital #founder #resilience #vision #relationships #technology? #teamwork #remote #distributedteam #learning #reflection #inspiration #personaljourney

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This post and all visuals are a result of a collaboration between a human and AI. All ideas and content were generated by a human, while the AI assisted with the writing process. The information presented here is carefully crafted and checked for accuracy.

The entire series:

1. Back in Business - a new tale begins
2. The Importance of Taking a Break
3. Boldly Venturing into the AI Frontier: Are You Ready to Join Us?