This year I’ve been writing a monthly recap of the most important things that happened and were worth mentioning. Whether good or bad. And there were quite a few of them. I’ve already revealed a lot of it in Reels Talk byAndré. In my show, where I was a guest this time, and where I was interviewed by Dominik Válka. In 2025, I met thousands of people, negotiated with hundreds of them, interviewed higher dozens, either as part of Reels Talk byAndré, at events or 1-on-1 meetings. I put in countless hours, made dozens of deals, and experienced a lot of falls, but also growth. Let’s take a look at it together.

At the beginning of January, I wrote: ‘ 2025 will be the year of Meet&Deal.’ Today, as I sit on a plane headed to Thailand, I can say that I was right. But what happened between these two points was the biggest school of my life.

This article is not just about success. It’s about what it’s like to work an average of almost 300 hours a month, what it’s like to be ‘burned’ by partners, and what it’s like to build a community that is changing the rules of networking in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

This year, Meet&Deal has become an adult project. We’ve moved from ‘let’s try it’ to a machine that regularly connects hundreds of people, generates interesting collaborations, and deepens relationships between people. We expanded to Slovakia. I found that doing an event in Bratislava is a completely different discipline than in Prague, but vol4 with 150 people confirmed that this concept has no boundaries. We’ll be back in Bratislava in 2026.

We reached the milestone vol10. Ten events where they don’t just deal with business cards, but real deals. I’ve seen a deal closed in 5 minutes over coffee. But also the gradual formation of a community that sticks together more and more. That’s the engine why I do this.

In August, a new challenge came. I joined BezCyklení as Country Manager. I understood that sales for a community of founders is not a sprint, but an ultramarathon. We managed to start the Prague community and launch masterminds that have a real impact on the business of the members. September and October were a baptism of fire, when I had to balance building my own brand and leading the branch of an ambitious project.

If you take one thing from my year 2025, it’s this: Promises are cheap goods in business. There were times when I wanted to give up on everything and ‘close the shop’.

I repeatedly ran into people who didn’t keep their word. I lost cars, graphics, partners. My lesson? A contract is not the enemy, it is a safeguard for both parties. I lost two partners just because I wrote the truth on LinkedIn. Is it worth it? Yes. Authenticity is my biggest asset. Not everyone can work with everyone. And that’s okay.

Burnout is not just a buzzword. June stopped me. Literally. Dislike for the work I love was a raised finger. Rest in Thailand or Moravia is not a luxury, it is a necessity for survival. Especially when you work with people.

I am a fan of data. Here is proof that 2025 was not just a feeling, but a year of massive growth.

In total, in 2025 I worked an incredible 3,134 hours. On average, that’s 261 hours per month. This is not boasting or a guide to ‘work-life balance’. It’s a brutal reality and the price for the rocket start of a startup and building a personal brand full-time.

In August, I celebrated my 30th birthday right at Meet&Deal vol9. It was a turning point for me. I realized that I no longer have to take every opportunity. That I can (and must) choose who I spend my time with. And I’m glad I can spend it with my love, Tereza Hudáková.

I’m entering 2026 with a clear head (and perhaps a better tan). I want to continue the expansion of Meet&Deal and BezCyklení. These projects already have their outlines. I mentioned English above.

And when it comes to people? I will be even stricter in who I collaborate with. I want people around me with the same values and the same focus on work.

Thank you to everyone who was with me. Those who stood by me and those who threw sticks under my feet. Thanks to you, I’m stronger.

See you in January. In full force.