My Story I grew up in the countryside and went to boarding school, which taught me independence and discipline early on. Before getting into tech, I spent time working in hospitality – restaurants, hotels, that kind of environment. It was intense, but it taught me how to read people, manage stress, and anticipate what clients need before they ask. That service mindset has stuck with me through everything I've done since. Corporate Years From 2009 to 2012, I worked at a major financial services company in their regional service center. I started as a fraud analyst, then moved up to managing fraud operations teams across three different markets, and eventually ran the authorizations team. This was right after the 2008 financial crisis, so banks were overhauling their fraud prevention systems. Managing teams across borders meant I had to be fluent in multiple languages and keep everyone on the same page, which built on the adaptability I'd developed in boarding school and hospitality. My former colleagues said I kept teams focused on goals while still building real relationships with people. I tried to balance getting results with actually caring about the humans doing the work – basically combining the operational rigor from corporate life with that service mentality from my hospitality days. Going Solo In late 2012, I left the corporate world and started my own digital agency in early 2013. I'd been planning it for a while and used that transition window to get everything set up properly. I moved back to a non-urban, mountainous area – closer to my countryside roots. Running a global business from the mountains lets me live the way I want. I do yoga, run, and hit the gym regularly. It's not just about fitness; it's what keeps me sharp and resilient after 13+ years of running this business. What I Do Now I run two connected businesses: My main agency handles web design and custom development for clients both locally and remotely. Then I have my consulting and training brand, where I focus on specialized CMS training, remote coaching, and development work. I charge €99/hour (plus VAT). That pricing helps me work with serious clients who value expertise – everyone from solo entrepreneurs to companies with 500+ employees. My Technical Skills I'm a full-stack developer. On the frontend, I work with TypeScript, React, and modern JavaScript. Backend is PHP, Python, SQL, and Bash scripting. I use modern database platforms, Docker for containerization, and design APIs. I've also gotten deep into workflow automation – tools like n8n for building complex business processes. I've spent over 10 years specializing in open-source CMS ecosystems, doing everything from custom plugin development to security hardening and performance optimization. Lately, I've been diving into AI – RAG systems, LLM integration, and building AI-powered applications. Where I Am Now After 13 years, I've built something sustainable. Most freelance businesses don't last this long, so I must be doing something right with client retention and business management. I work entirely remotely and have the geographic flexibility to serve global clients from my preferred location in the countryside. My corporate and hospitality background means I can handle complex operations and juggle different types of clients and projects. And I keep learning – staying current with AI and automation tools is crucial. What's Next I see some interesting opportunities ahead: AI integration – Clients increasingly need AI in their customer interactions and workflows. My interest in RAG systems puts me ahead of the curve before this stuff becomes commoditized. Vertical specialization – Instead of being a general consultant, I could focus on specific industries and build targeted automation solutions. This would be more defensible than generic consulting. Knowledge products – I could transform my training business into structured courses or certification programs. Higher margins, more scalable than hourly consulting. Automation consulting – More businesses want workflow automation but don't know how to design complex systems. My expertise with n8n and similar tools positions me well for this. I've gone from the countryside to boarding school to hospitality to corporate leadership to running my own business for 13 years. It's been a winding path, but each phase taught me something that helps today. My yoga and gym routine keeps me balanced and focused. And right now, with AI and automation exploding, there are real opportunities to evolve this business – whether that's building a team, specializing in a vertical, or turning my expertise into products. I just need to pick the right path forward.