It's with a heart full of memories that I share some news with you today. After 15 remarkable years as CTO and founding partner of Clevyr, I've decided it's time for a transformation in my journey.
The Beginning: Leap of Faith
I still remember that decision in 2009. The financial crisis was fresh, the economy uncertain, and yet there we were—naive, ambitious, and just crazy enough to believe we could build something special. Leaving a stable job during those times wasn't just stepping out of my comfort zone; it was abandoning the concept of comfort entirely.
Our first office was hardly what you'd call corporate headquarters—a cramped two-room space on the second floor of a house, shared with a photographer. We didn't even have our own bathroom! Our first conference table was literally someone's old kitchen table (to this day, I can't remember which one of us dragged it in).
Wearing All the Hats
If you've ever been part of a startup, you know the meaning of "wearing multiple hats." In the span of a single day, I might pitch to a potential client as a member of our “sales team”, solve complex technical problems as CTO, and then clean the office before heading home. Each role was necessary, and each taught me something valuable.
Late Nights and Hailstorms
The journey has been filled with stories that now make me smile. Countless late nights working on bleeding-edge tech projects, fueled by delivered pizza or that memorable evening when a friend brought deep-fried tofu to keep us going.
I'll never forget the spring evening when a sudden hailstorm sent golf ball-sized chunks of ice crashing through our office windows. There we were, scrambling to save our computers, laughing despite the chaos.
The Hard Truth
Let me be honest: building Clevyr wasn't all inspiring stories and triumphant moments. There were stretches when we couldn't pay ourselves, times when we weren't sure where the next client would come from or when the next paycheck would arrive. Looking back now, I sometimes wonder how we made it through–but we did, through sheer will, belief, and supporting each other when things got tough.
We celebrated every win like it was our first big break—because in those early days, each client truly was a lifeline.
A New Chapter
All journeys go through transformations, and my time at Clevyr is transforming now. I'll be stepping away from my role as CTO, but I remain a majority partner and deeply invested in Clevyr's future success.
I am immensely grateful for every person who has been part of this journey—our clients who trusted us with their visions, and the incredible team members who have poured their talent and passion into making Clevyr what it is today.
As my role transforms, I'm excited to see new, empowering roles emerge at Clevyr and the fresh ideas that will come from them. The company is in excellent hands, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow and evolve.
Expanding the Comfort Zone
As for me? It's time once again to expand the comfort zone and embrace new growth. Yes, it's still a little terrifying—just like that leap back in 2009—but it's equally thrilling.
The best adventures often begin with a step into the unknown, and I don’t know if you are ever truly ready or prepared, you simply just take the first step.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The story continues, just with a new updated version.
