AI is Unstoppable, and That’s Awesome

The world of AI fascinates me every single day, and I try to keep up with its incredible progress. I spend hours vibecoding daily, using various tools, and striving to streamline my workflow. Thanks to AI, I can bring my ideas to life almost instantly.

But I also spend a ton of time in meetings, calls, workshops, and masterminds that I host within the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY. And this right here is an absolute goldmine for my blog and social media content.

I’ve been using Plaud for a while now. It’s a voice recorder that snaps onto the back of your phone via MagSafe. It records everything anyone says around you, and thanks to the app, it can generate a verbatim transcript along with various types of summaries. You can export these outputs, share them, or integrate them into other apps.

Recordings are stored locally right on the device. Transcription and summarization happen in the cloud via an encrypted enterprise API, meaning your data isn’t used to train AI models. It’s ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA certified for those who care about the technical details.

The AI engine is powered by GPT, Claude Sonnet, and Gemini. The battery lasts for up to 50 hours of continuous recording and 60 days on standby.

All of this is great, but normally, you’d still have to process those outputs further. Well, not anymore. With the new Plaud Note Pro, I set up a workflow, and instead of just getting mastermind notes or a transcript, I get a finished article alongside a ready-to-go social media post.

And that changes the game entirely.

How It Works in Practice

This is where your average voice recorder ends and Plaud begins.

Inside the app, you set up your own templates. A template is essentially a prompt that defines exactly what you want out of the recording—the structure, the tone, and the length. You create it once, and then you apply it to any recording with a single click. Pretty neat, right?

How do I handle this during Meet&Deal COMMUNITY masterminds? I always record the entire session. During the recording, I just press a button to mark a key moment—a feature called Press to Highlight. When the session ends, the recording automatically syncs to the app. I apply my article template, and moments later, I have a finished draft. I then drop that exact same content into my LinkedIn template.

Normally, this would take me hours. Now, it’s a matter of minutes and a few minor tweaks.

Here’s the template I use:

Prompt: Create a structured article in Czech from this Meet&Deal COMMUNITY mastermind recording. Ignore small talk, logistical notes, and technical issues. Focus exclusively on business insights. Structure: > 1) HEADLINE (catchy, 6–10 words) 2) LEAD PARAGRAPH (2–3 sentences, main idea) 3) BODY (3–5 sections with subheadings, 100–150 words each, specific insights from the discussion) 4) KEY TAKEAWAYS (3–5 bullet points) 5) CTA (linking back to the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY). Tone: Expert yet accessible, aimed at entrepreneurs with 10M+ in revenue. No fluff, just concrete facts.

One recording. Three outputs. Done in a few minutes.

As of 2026, they’ve added a new layer called Skills. These are complete AI workflows saved as a single click. You trigger them using a slash command directly in the interface. There are 15+ built-in skills, plus room for up to ten custom ones. No more rewriting prompts from scratch every time.

But What’s the Catch?

The transcription isn’t 100% perfect. If there’s a lot of background noise in the room or someone has a thick accent, errors can pop up in the transcript. You have to expect that.

Another thing is that Plaud runs on a subscription model. It processes 300 minutes a month for free, but after that, you have to pay. For some, a monthly payment model might get annoying over time. However, if you don’t want to be locked into one platform, you can always export the audio files and process them in a different AI tool.

And one last thing people often ask me about: In the Czech Republic, Act No. 127/2005 Coll. applies. Recording a call or meeting without the other party’s consent is a legal issue. I always state that I’m recording upfront, and I’ve never had a single person object to it.

Want a Plaud Too? Get It with a Discount

Plaud probably won’t transform your business overnight. But if you’re in meetings every day and attending various workshops, it’s a fantastic way to instantly extract concrete outputs based on a workflow you design yourself.

Make sense? If this sounds good to you, use the code ANDRE on the tygotec.cz website to get a 10% discount on your Plaud. Or check out my Instagram, where I’m currently running a giveaway.

The post Thanks to Plaud, I Have a Mastermind Article Ready Before I Even Get Home appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

Meet&Deal vol11 Rooftop Edition

After our epic December Christmas party (Meet&Deal Vol. 10 Xmas Edition), things went a bit quiet. But that doesn’t mean nothing was happening behind the scenes. My team and I have been hard at work on the next event and, as I mentioned in the intro, a few other parallel projects.

And now is the perfect time to let it all out. All at once. Naturally.

Why a Rooftop Edition for vol11? Because everything looks better from above. When you have a bird’s-eye view, interesting things happen. I’ve struck a deal with J&T Bank, and Meet&Deal Vol. 11 Rooftop Edition will take place in Prague, right on their private terrace.

When? On June 11th, 150 professionals from the CZ & SK business scene will gather. Over drinks, in a casual atmosphere with panoramic views of Prague, we’ll be discussing deals, collaborations, shared interests, and everything business (and non-business) related.

We’ve just launched the first wave of ticket sales, but I can already confirm you’ll be rubbing shoulders with Tomáš Braverman (CEO of Slevomat), Ondra Klega (CEO of eRockets), Josef Ošlejšek (CEO of go4.sk & go4.cz), Matej Karaba (Co-founder of Opinest s.r.o.), and a ton of other fascinating people.

The event partners are Shoptet Premium, RTB House, Movit Energy, and J&T Banka. A huge thanks to them—I’m incredibly excited for this.

Pro Tip: I highly recommend grabbing your tickets during this first wave, because prices will go up in the subsequent tiers. It’d be a shame to miss out, right?

Get Your Tickets on the New Meet&Deal Website

Alongside the event announcement, I’m launching a completely revamped Meet&Deal website. I ditched Wix and spent dozens, maybe hundreds, of hours vibecoding. The result is a fully custom solution that… well, why just describe it? Check out the website yourself and let me know what you think.

As you probably know from my articles and social media, vibecoding currently makes up a huge part of what I do. If you want to dive deeper into this topic, check out the article I recently wrote on vibecoding.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m currently working on a user dashboard that will give registered attendees their own admin panel. You’ll be able to track your orders or even generate custom Meet&Deal graphics for your social media.

The goal of the website was to build a sophisticated, automated system that also carries the core message of Meet&Deal:

• COMMUNITY
• Events
• Partnerships

Meet&Deal is no longer just a few events a year. It’s a comprehensive ecosystem where the highest value lies in interpersonal relationships, networking, and personal growth. I’ve already written about the COMMUNITY here on the blog. It’s the next level that seamlessly connects to our events. And partnerships? That’s what this is all built on. With the right partners behind you, you can achieve things that might otherwise just stay on paper.

P.S. You can also find other upcoming events on the website that we are planning for after Vol. 11.

Multifunctional Merch. Wait, What?

You might have spotted me wearing Meet&Deal merch at the Vol. 10 Xmas Edition, or maybe you even won some there. But that was just a teaser.

I’ve taken this to the next level too, creating a limited-edition run of multifunctional merch. What does that mean? On the t-shirts and hoodies, alongside our brand claim, you’ll find a pre-printed name tag that you can actually write on.

When you show up to an event wearing the merch, you won’t even need a physical lanyard or badge. Besides the tees and hoodies, I’ve also designed a snapback cap featuring the Meet&Deal logo and claim.

Check out the photos shot by Polly Raye and let me know your thoughts. And don’t forget—you can add merch directly to your ticket order and pick it up at the event, at one of our Meet&Deal COMMUNITY sessions, or I can ship it to you by arrangement.

That’s a Lot to Digest, Right?

This isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning. I highly recommend not dragging your feet on tickets, because they are already starting to disappear. The merch won’t be for everyone either, as each drop is strictly limited edition.

Grab your ticket on the new Meet&Deal website

Want to be part of Meet&Deal outside of the events? Join our COMMUNITY, where we meet regularly, learn, connect with a top-tier network, and push each other forward both professionally and personally.

Even before vol11, we’ll be meeting up on April 20th for Vibecoding Session vol3, April 30th for Driving Rohan, and May 6th for an “Ideamaking” mastermind with Daniel Klečka. After the Rooftop Edition, we’ll see each other again on June 23rd for a “B2B Strategy and Branding” mastermind hosted by Jakub Kantor.

See you there?!

The post Meet&Deal vol11 Rooftop Edition is Here: When, Where, and How? appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

So, what exactly did I achieve from the other side of the world in just two months?

Vibe… what? It All Started with a Problem

In the beginning, there was no grand vision of me pumping out functional apps from the beach in a matter of hours. It started with a simple, annoying problem.

For our Meet&Deal project, we needed a way to bulk-remove backgrounds from photos of people attending our events. Graphic designers were quoting absurd prices for this routine task, and I started getting frustrated that I had to keep paying someone for something so trivial.

There had to be a way to do it quickly, cheaply, and ideally, automatically. So, I decided to try building my own app for it.

We were in Thailand at the time. I had free time, a solid internet connection, and AI tools. Within a few days, I realized two major things:

1. It’s actually possible.
2. Once you start, a whole new world of opportunities opens up.

From that moment on, I went all in on vibecoding.

Hundreds of Hours and Multiple Projects

Over the last two months, I’ve “vibecoded” for hundreds of hours. The result isn’t just one experimental project, but several fully functional assets that, until recently, would have required weeks of developer time and budgets in the tens of thousands of crowns (and I’m probably underestimating that).

The Transformation of My Personal Blog My website andrekohout.cz went through a massive overhaul. I made it completely bilingual, which included translating and indexing over 120 blog articles. The whole process took a few hours of my time and a couple of dollars in AI API calls.

Redesigning NetworkingAkce.cz on a Dime My other project, NetworkingAkce.cz, has a similar story. The original version of this site cost roughly 40,000 CZK to build. Thanks to vibecoding, I managed to:

• Completely redesign the platform.
• Rebuild the functionality for paid users.
• Add advanced search features.
• Create a custom admin dashboard.
• Automate the aggregation of new events.

Today, the system automatically checks over 120 sources daily to pull in new networking events. All of this costs me just a few hours of my time and a few bucks a month.

Meet&Deal is Changing the Game

Another thing I’ve wanted to do for a long time was transform our social media strategy and the entire concept of Meet&Deal.

I didn’t want our content to just be boring announcements that an event is coming or an event happened. I wanted to turn it into a real media platform for business professionals.

Vibecoding allowed me to build an internal app that monitors dozens of media outlets every half hour. If news drops about a deal, investment, or acquisition, the AI automatically rewrites the article into our brand’s tone of voice. After I approve it, the system generates the graphics and the social media copy.

The next step? Publishing it across our networks with a single click.

Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu

Příspěvek sdílený Meet&Deal ~ Next level networking 🚀 (@mitdyl)

The Backend We Always Needed

Speaking of Meet&Deal, I’m also working on a brand-new website.

It won’t just be a simple frontend for buying tickets. I want a robust backend to manage guest lists, graphics, content, and all the other moving parts we currently have scattered across different tools. When is it dropping? Stay tuned. You’ll hear about it soon.

The Biggest Shift: Who Are the Developers Now?

The most important takeaway here isn’t just one specific project. It’s the shift in mindset.

In the past, I was 100% reliant on developers for websites and apps. The moment I wanted to tweak or build anything, I had to message someone, wait for their availability, and pay a hefty invoice.

Today, that 100% has dropped to about 5 to 10%. And even then, it’s mostly just when I want support from someone who has tackled a highly specific, complex issue before. I handle the rest myself with AI.

I don’t know how to code. But when I don’t know something, Claude Code does. I work with it locally in my terminal and use it to build everything from websites and automations to small internal apps.

Will Vibecoding Save You Time? Well…

Vibecoding has one very interesting paradox. We all assume it’s going to save us time. But that’s not entirely true.

The time you save using AI is almost immediately invested into other things you want to streamline, automate, or build. Instead of having more free time, you suddenly just have more projects running.

But honestly? It is one of the most fun and creative ways to work I’ve experienced in years. You should try it, too.

Start Vibecoding Today

If this topic sparks your interest, I have one simple recommendation for you: Start small.

Build a simple website. Or a tiny app for a task you do every day. Once you grasp the basic principles of communicating with the AI, you’ll naturally start adding more features and tackling more complex builds.

Suddenly, you’ll find yourself accessing data and possibilities you would never have reached on your own.

While it might not replace standard SaaS tools completely, vibecoding absolutely changes the rules of the game and how we think about development.

How to Get Started? Here’s a Guide

During our last vibecoding session in the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY, we realized something. Wait—Meet&Deal COMMUNITY? I hinted earlier that Meet&Deal is changing the game, and this just proves it.

I built the community website using vibecoding, too. The COMMUNITY is made up of people who share one common trait: they want to learn, grow personally and professionally, and are deadly serious about their business. Check it out. It might be exactly what you’re looking for.

But back to the point.

The biggest hurdle for beginners isn’t the vibecoding itself. Most often, the biggest bottleneck is just getting Claude Coderunning locally on your machine. That’s why I put together a simple, step-by-step document that will guide you through it.

👉 You can find the guide here: mitdyl.cz/vibecoding

You might just discover exactly what I did: once you start vibecoding, you completely change how you think about what is possible to create.

Either way… Go for it.

The post Vibecoding as an Idea Factory: Will It Actually Save You Time? appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

But what if we could go deeper?

• What if you had 24/7 access to the most powerful business network in the country, complete with warm introductions and seamless matchmaking?
• What if you could join an inner circle to learn about highly curated topics and meet up between the main events?
• What if you could surround yourself with ambitious, like-minded professionals who are just as driven to grow as you are?

Welcome to the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY.

Beyond Events: It Has Always Been About the People

When I hosted the very first Meet&Deal event in 2023, I knew it wouldn’t stop at just one night. But eventually, I realized it shouldn’t stop at just events, period.

Meet&Deal has always been about putting the right people in the right place at the right time. But why wait for the next event to make that happen?

The Meet&Deal COMMUNITY was created as the natural evolution of the entire project. It’s a space where you stay connected with others between events. But it’s much more than that. Imagine an environment where you are constantly surrounded by people tackling the exact same challenges you are—building companies, hunting for new partnerships, scaling marketing, driving sales, implementing tech, or growing a team.

• Sometimes, you just need a quick piece of advice.
• Sometimes, you need a recommendation for the exact person who can help you push your project across the finish line.
• Sometimes, you need to reach someone who is normally inaccessible, or who would never pick up the phone without a warm introduction.
• And sometimes, you just want to grab a coffee (or jump on a call) with someone who truly understands your daily grind because they live it too.

This is exactly what the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY facilitates. It is a meeting ground for individuals who want to elevate themselves both professionally and personally, and who thrive on surrounding themselves with people operating on that same frequency.

Contacts Don’t Close Deals. Relationships Do.

A contact is not a relationship. Anyone who understands this knows that active networking is the ultimate key to growth. Sometimes, showing up to a networking mixer three times a year just isn’t enough.

Real value is created through repeated interaction. It happens when you know exactly what someone does, what they are currently struggling with, and how you can mutually help each other.

The Meet&Deal COMMUNITY pushes this principle further.

You are no longer relying on chance encounters at quarterly events. You have an active, 24/7 network at your fingertips. A network that shares experiences, recommends top-tier contacts, actively seeks collaborations, and frequently launches entirely new ventures together.

Often, it only takes one single message to close a massive deal.

Alongside tailored matchmaking, we host regular educational sessions on curated topics—ranging from AI and vibecoding to social media strategy, influencer marketing, leadership, and customer retention. We also meet up informally: over a beer, on the golf course, in the sauna, or online. Zero pressure, pure value.

The Insider Advantage: Why Early Adopters Win

By stepping inside, you gain access to people you would normally only meet by pure luck—if at all. You get a front-row seat to opportunities that never even make it to the public eye. When was the last time you had the chance to meet someone who could fundamentally change your business, knowing with absolute certainty they wouldn’t blow you off in the first five seconds?

Why should you join right now? Because as the community grows, its value multiplies. The more brilliant minds we have inside, the more powerful the network becomes.

That is exactly why our pricing model rewards those who take action early. Once our set capacity fills up, the membership price will increase.

It’s simple: the earlier you join, the better your conditions are. For life.

Who Belongs in the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY?

Let’s be clear: the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY is not for everyone. And not everyone is right for the Meet&Deal COMMUNITY.

I have built an expert ecosystem designed specifically for business owners, top-tier specialists, and ambitious professionals. This means it only makes sense for people who genuinely believe that relationships are the lifeblood of business. It’s for people who want to grow, learn, share their expertise, and actively open doors for others.

If you are the type of person who just sits back and expects things to fall into your lap, this community probably isn’t for you. But if you know that the best things in business are built between people, then you already know exactly why you’re reading this.

Are You Serious About Your Business?

The Meet&Deal COMMUNITY is the next step. It’s the place where your networking efforts yield real, compounding results every single day.

Want in? Check out the COMMUNITY website, choose your membership tier, and join us. Just keep one thing in mind:

Once we hit capacity, the price goes up.

So the question isn’t if you’ll join. It’s when.

The post Meet&Deal COMMUNITY: Taking High-Impact Networking to the Next Level appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

Skip the Baggage Claim: Airport to City Center

The golden rule of micro-trips: no checked bags. Backpacks only.

As soon as you land at Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), ignore the €50 taxis and head straight for the Navette Aéroport bus platform—Line L91. A ticket costs €10, the bus leaves every 15 minutes, and it spits you out directly at the main train station, Gare Saint-Charles, in just half an hour.

Fun fact that caught my eye: The driver has to blow into a breathalyzer before starting the engine. Since 2015, France has required alcolocks in all coaches. If the driver blows over the limit, the bus simply doesn’t start. Safety first! Though it does make you wonder if they check it after the weekend, haha.

Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu

Příspěvek sdílený André Kohout | King of Networking (@jajsemandre)

Basecamp: Keycodes Over Receptionists

When you only have one day in a city, you cannot waste time checking in. We chose Maison Senac, a boutique hotel right near the Old Port. Keypad entry, no waiting in line, no bureaucracy. We dumped our bags and went straight for our first French coffee and croissant by the harbor. That’s how you do it.

Vieux-Port, Le Panier, and the Château d’If “Trap”

The Vieux-Port (Old Port) is the beating heart of the city. There are enough boats, fishermen, tourists, and locals to make you feel like you’re truly in Marseille, not just another generic transit hub.

From the harbor, we wandered into the historic Le Panier district. It’s the oldest part of the city—narrow alleys, graffiti, laundry hanging on lines, and a touch of chaos. Exactly what you came here for.

Terka and I also planned to visit the Château d’If, the famous island fortress where the Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. The boat ride takes about an hour round trip, and you spend another hour exploring the island (maybe two if the weather is nice). We did it, and it was great.

But beware: If the Mistral (a strong local wind) is blowing, the boats won’t dock on the island at all. Always ask at the ticket booth in the port before buying your €11 round-trip ticket. And remember, you still have to pay a €7 entry fee once you’re on the island.

Afterward, we grabbed a pizza. Wait, pizza in France? Absolutely. Thanks to its massive Italian immigrant population, Marseille is blessed with incredible pizza. Box in hand, we sat right on the sand at the city beach, Plage des Catalans. Pure vibes.

Notre-Dame de la Garde: You Have to See This View

This is an absolute must-do. Around 5 PM, we headed up the hill to the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica. Locals simply call her the “Good Mother.”

Crucial tip: Do not walk up there. You’ll destroy your knees and waste precious time. Hop on Bus 60 from the Vieux-Port promenade. You just tap your contactless card by the driver—no paper tickets, no loose change. And hold on for dear life, because the drivers take those hairpin turns like they’re on a racetrack.

But at the top? You’re rewarded with a sunset view over the entire city, the sea, and the islands. Paris doesn’t stand a chance against this.

A Blind Dinner & A Birthday Hack

Marseille has plenty of incredible restaurants. For a luxury bouillabaisse, I recommend Chez Fonfon or the rooftop at Le Rowing Club. But we went in blind, without a reservation. We walked down to Cours d’Estienne d’Orves, a massive pedestrian square packed with bistros where you can score a table even on a Friday night.

We ended up at Bistrot L’Horloge. Terka had seafood; I had a steak. Since she was celebrating her 32nd birthday, I pulled an old trick. When I went to pay, I winked at the waiter and said: “C’est son anniversaire aujourd’hui.” (It’s her birthday today).

Works like a charm. Moments later, a free dessert with a sparkler landed on our table. Cool, right?

Marseille After Dark: Graffiti and “Parking by Sound”

Wandering the city at night, you’ll notice two things.

First, Marseille is the hip-hop and street art capital of France. You’ll see tags on bridge ledges or the backs of highway signs. They call these “heaven spots”—an extreme sport for graffiti artists where the more dangerous the spot, the more respect you earn from the community.

Second, the cars. They are all battered. Here, they park “au toucher” (by touch/sound). Locals gently bump into the cars in front of and behind them while parallel parking to make room. A car here is just a tin can, not a prized jewel. If you plan on renting a car, get full coverage insurance. Otherwise, you’re in for a shock.

When Rain Ruins Your Itinerary

Saturday morning. The plan was to walk through the cascading Palais Longchamp all the way to the train station. But it was pouring rain.

In moments like this, you have to throw the itinerary out the window. We ducked into the first bakery we found, ordered a café crème with fresh pastries, watched the rain through the window, and then hopped straight onto the metro. Two dry stops to Gare Saint-Charles, a ticket for the L91 bus, and we were off to the airport. You have to know how to improvise.

The Marseille Express: Need-to-Know Tips

• Contactless Transit: All buses and the metro (RTM) use contactless payments (card or phone). You don’t need spare change.
• Strict Lunch Deadlines: Bistros serve lunch strictly until 2:00 PM or 2:30 PM. Show up at 3:00 PM, and you’ll be eating at McDonald’s.
• Don’t Fear the Cars (But Be Smart): Bumper-to-bumper “parking by sound” is the local standard. Renting a car without full insurance = a terrible idea.
• Plan Ahead: If you want to visit the Château d’If, check the weather forecast and ask at the ticket booth before you pay.

Was It Worth It?

Hell yes. In 24 hours, we conquered the Old Port, the beach, the best view from Notre-Dame de la Garde, a proper French steak, the nighttime harbor vibes, a free birthday dessert, and a cozy rainy breakfast.

Marseille is dirty, beautiful, rough, and authentic. It’s exactly the kind of city you never forget. If you have a free weekend, grab your backpack and fly.

The post Marseille: 24 Hours with a Backpack in France’s Rawest City appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

From nursing school and welding trains to leading an e-commerce company with a turnover of over 300 million CZK, Jakub’s story is nothing short of inspiring. And yet, for years, he successfully avoided the spotlight to focus entirely on the product and the people inside his team.

Why He Hid in the Shadows for Years

For a long time, Jakub stayed strictly behind the scenes. He believed that until the company was in perfect shape with an unshakable foundation—including brand-new facilities—there was simply nothing to show the world.

“I was hard on myself, and in my eyes, there really wasn’t anything to show yet. Everything was still in its infancy,” he admits.

Today, he knows better. He realizes that a founder’s personal brand is a crucial factor in building trust with both customers and the media. Even though he considers himself an “introverted extrovert” who isn’t always comfortable talking about himself, he has fully embraced his new role as the company’s spokesperson. He breathes for the brand and wants to personally share major milestones, like the opening of their new sewing workshop.

The DNA of MK Lůžkoviny

Jakub’s workday starts before the sun comes up.

• 5:20 AM: Wakes up and drives his wife to work.
• Early Morning: Dives straight into his own tasks.
• First Office Task: Reads customer reviews.

He takes negative feedback as a personal failure and uses it as an immediate impulse to fix quality or logistics issues. He has successfully transferred this obsessive, customer-first approach to his team, whom he describes as a group of deeply passionate people.

It’s this absolute trust in his staff and his ability to delegate tasks to managers that allows him to focus on strategic growth—even if his self-proclaimed “ADHD personality” often forces him to bounce between multiple projects at once.

From Penny Market Fiascos to a Paralyzed Warehouse

Jakub hasn’t avoided major crises in business. In the interview, he openly shared a wild experience when defective goods—which were supposed to be destroyed abroad—illegally made their way back to the Czech market and ended up on the shelves of Penny Market.

Instead of getting bogged down in lengthy lawsuits, he relied on swift communication and fierce brand protection. This strategy ultimately resulted in the goods being withdrawn from stores and a public apology.

An even harsher lesson came during a transition to a new warehouse management system, which paralyzed the company for three weeks right in the middle of peak season.

“I didn’t keep a close enough eye on the software company, and our system crashed for three weeks,” Jakub recalls.

The extreme stress caused him to lose 16 kilos, but he treats even this brutal experience as a necessary challenge that taught him how to lead IT projects differently.

“Yesterday Was Too Late”

Jakub doesn’t look for inspiration in modern business manuals, but rather in the legendary Czech entrepreneur Tomáš Baťa. He shares Baťa’s famous creed: In business, there is no “tomorrow.” Despite still seeing himself as a young entrepreneur who is learning on the fly, his journey from carrying a welding license to building an e-commerce empire proves one thing: the most important assets you can have are a positive mindset and the ability to turn every mistake into a lesson.

And what about relaxation? Jakub smiles and admits that on the dance floor, his go-to helper is “liquid karate” (vodka), which helps him forget his role as CEO for a few hours. And the inevitable hangover? He admits he can be highly productive even then.

“I actually work better because I feel guilty, so I lock myself in my office and just grind,” he laughs.

Want to know exactly how Jakub navigated his biggest business crises or why he finally decided to step into the spotlight? Watch the full interview on YouTube!

The post 16 Kilos Down and a Paralyzed Company: Jakub Kalvoda on His Biggest Lessons in Business appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

Networking as a Growth Engine

For Venis, networking isn’t just a corporate buzzword; it’s the foundation of her career. She believes that the ability to connect with the right people and actively maintain relationships is what drives professional momentum.

“Networking is extremely important to me. Through contacts and relationships, I grow and gain opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have,” says Venis.

It is precisely through networking that she accesses opportunities that would never arise without personal contact and trust-building. She views social media not just as a tool for “likes,” but as a strategic space for community building and high-level partnerships.

Preventing Burnout in the Fast-Paced Creator Economy

Being a full-time influencer requires far more structure than it seems. Venis admits that without a clear system, it’s easy to burn out in this high-speed industry. While many creators rely purely on artistic intuition, Venis builds a rigid workflow.

For instance, she dedicates her Mondays strictly to production—filming and content creation—freeing up the rest of the week for other ventures. She also practices strict digital hygiene, visiting social platforms with the specific intent of tracking trends and inspiration rather than mindlessly scrolling.

Choosing Brand Partnerships That Make Sense

When brands approach Venis, money is never the sole metric. While she openly acknowledges that finances are vital for a professional creator, the “click” with the product and its philosophy is paramount. She insists on testing every product personally before endorsing it. To her, influencer marketing is a fascinating intersection of psychology and commerce.

She emphasizes the importance of building long-term relationships with brands that have a clear mission, citing her collaboration with Snugs as a prime example.

From Anxiety to the “UPGRADE ME” Project

A turning point in her creative journey came during a period of personal crisis, anxiety, and panic attacks. This experience forced her to question whether purely “entertaining” content offered enough value. This search for depth resulted in UPGRADE ME—a series of retreats designed for young women looking to develop their strengths.

To ensure she provides professional-grade support, Venis decided to formally study coaching. She wants to move beyond the superficial advice of a “celebrity” and instead utilize expert psychological tools to help others.

The Bottom Line

Venis Dao is proof that even in a world built on short-form video, you can build a brand with substance. Her journey shows that the transition from viral sketches to psychology and mentoring is possible—provided you have the courage to keep learning and never compromise on your values.

Want to hear Venis Dao’s full story and learn how to build a brand with impact? Watch the full interview on YouTube.

The post From TikTok to Psychology & Coaching: Venis Dao on Business and the Power of Networking appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

From Gaming Servers to Companies

Lukáš’s journey to entrepreneurship didn’t start in boardrooms, but at a computer. Programming, websites, SEO, and first online projects were a natural entry into the business world. “I had to go through everything… Program a website, get people to it, understand marketing and sales,” he says. It’s precisely this combination of technical and practical approach that allows him to spot company weaknesses before they manifest. Currently, besides Sídlomat, he’s also involved in other projects.

Why a Great Idea Doesn’t Guarantee Success

According to Lukáš, most beginning entrepreneurs make the same mistake: they jump into business without basic knowledge and without a clear reason why they’re actually founding a company. “People want an LLC because they feel they need one. But they don’t think about what comes next,” he warns. Starting a company is easy today, getting rid of it isn’t.

“We have tons of different projects or startups here that grew incredibly fast, but also ended incredibly fast. Because they failed due to poorly designed processes.” Lukáš emphasizes that after securing investment, founders should remain humble and invest the money in company growth, not in personal luxury that could damage their credibility.

Why the First Million Can Destroy a Business

Investments, cars, status. Lukáš openly talks about how some founders are broken by their first big money. Founders suddenly have millions in their account and start living like rock stars. Instead of investing in the company, product, and people. Yet it’s precisely humility and the ability to curb one’s ego that often determines whether a company survives.

Sídlomat: Where Virtual Offices Aren’t a Gray Zone

Although many people think virtual offices are a “gray zone,” Lukáš clarifies that they are legally recognized and regulated. Providers like Sídlomat are also obligated entities under anti-money laundering law (AML), and must therefore verify each client just like a bank does.

During his time in the business of company addresses, he’s encountered bizarre requests: from demands to transfer companies to “straw men,” through people with business bans, to an attempt by a convicted pedophile to start a child care company.

With Sídlomat, which currently manages 21 addresses across the republic, he’s aiming to expand services to include their own accounting firm, which he sees as a logical step to support founding clients.

Real Experiences Instead of Business Cards

For Lukáš, networking doesn’t mean chasing business, but returning to people and exchanging real experiences. “It’s not about immediately selling something to someone. It’s about feedback, a different perspective, and stepping out of your own bubble,” he says.

Partnership with the most nutritious networking Meet&Deal was his way back into the networking world in a more cultivated environment. The goal was to meet business people and, as he wittily noted, even “while sober.”

Practical Advice for Every Business

At the end of the interview, Lukáš summarizes his recommendations for beginning founders into several points:

• Carefully choose who you’ll do business with and start a venture with.
• Trust your intuition and create your own perspective. Listen to opinions, but don’t trust blindly.
• Don’t forget to clearly define your goal before founding a company and think about whether it’s the right time.

Lukáš’s perspective is realistic, sometimes harsh, but precisely therefore valuable. He doesn’t sell shortcuts to success, but rather points out the places where entrepreneurship breaks. And often before we realize it ourselves. You can find the full interview on my YouTube where you’ll discover lots of interesting stories and juicy details straight from behind the scenes of founding companies and virtual offices.

The post Lukáš Kruntorád: Your first million can kill your company. And most founders don’t see it coming appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

That’s exactly why I’m writing this. If you have a layover in China and you’re wondering if you should escape the terminal instead of rotting at the gate—read on. You can actually get a lot done. Even in just 19 hours. But only if you know exactly what you’re getting into.

When Does a Beijing Layover Make Sense

First, apply the Time Filter. Anything under five hours? Don’t bother; you’ll just stress yourself out. Stay at the airport. The sweet spot is 10 to 24 hours.

Second, the Weather. We flew in January, and the reality was a dry, biting frost around -10°C (14°F). Manageable, but quality thermal underwear is non-negotiable (shout out to Husky for saving me).

Third, your Motivation. If you want world-class landmarks, Beijing is worth the hassle. If you just want to “see something,” pick a longer layover in a different city.

The Golden Rule: Preparation. I built my entire itinerary in advance using AI. Honestly? We wouldn’t have accomplished half of this without it. The language barrier is brutal. Being able to show locals a text in Chinese opens doors that would otherwise remain bolted shut.

The Visa & The Reality of Arrival

After landing at Terminal 2 (Beijing Capital International Airport), we headed straight for the 24-hour Transit Visacounter. Since we didn’t have checked bags to collect, it was relatively fast.

Pro Tip: Have your itinerary, hotel address, and a short description of your plans printed out or saved in Chinese. This helps way more than trying to explain yourself in English.

By 8:13 AM, we were out. Destination: Airport Hotel.

Hotel: A Basecamp, Not an Experience

We booked a hotel near the airport for roughly $22 (500 CZK) a night. Check-in was officially at 10 AM, but they handed us keys at 8 AM. A shower, a change into winter gear, and a mental restart after a nine-hour flight. This is exactly what you need when you know another ten-hour flight awaits you later.

The Great Wall: The Whole Reason We Did This

Goal #1 was clear: The Great Wall of China. Specifically, the Mutianyu section. It’s less touristy and much greener than the crowded Badaling section.

We grabbed a taxi via Alipay. It’s about a 90-minute drive, perfect for a power nap.

Getting Up: You can’t get to the wall without the local shuttle bus. They drop you at the bottom, where someone usually guides you to the ticket counter. It wasn’t strictly necessary, but after a long flight, we just went with the flow.

• The Plan: Cable car up, toboggan down.
• Cost: About 200 RMB (approx. $28) total, including the shuttle.
• Highlight: The toboggan ride down is hands down the best part of the day.

The Cold: It was freezing. We had to buy gloves at the bottom of the wall. The price started at 100 RMB; we walked away with them for $1. Haggling in China is a fast sport.

At the top? That “Wow” moment hits. Seeing the wall with your own eyes, walking it, and grasping the sheer scale is a completely different level than seeing photos. We spent nearly three hours up there.

Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu

Příspěvek sdílený André Kohout | King of Networking (@jajsemandre)

The Forbidden City (Without the Crowds)

Back down, quick food, and back in the car. Another 90 minutes, another nap, and we arrived at the city center.

Instead of fighting the crowds inside the Forbidden City (where you need to book tickets way in advance anyway), we chose Jingshan Park. It’s a ten-minute hike up some stairs, but the reward is seeing the entire palace complex laid out before you.

We caught the sunset literally by minutes. Photos, silence, and a view that gives the whole place context. If you are short on time, this is a much smarter choice than getting lost inside the palace for hours.

When AI Fails You

Dinner was supposed to be Peking Duck. AI recommended Siji Minfu. What AI didn’t mention is that it is currently the most popular spot in Beijing. At 6:00 PM, the wait was over two hours. For two people.

Plan B: Dumplings, a short walk through the center to soak up the atmosphere, and back to the hotel. After being awake/traveling for 32 hours (with only micro-naps in the car), the body just shuts down.

By 8:00 PM, we crashed in bed, aiming for three hours of sleep before the night flight.

The “Alipay Trap” & Departure

Woke up, packed, checked out. I opened Alipay to call a ride… and got hit with a block. The app suddenly demanded full verification: face scan, passport photo, bank statement. We had zero time or patience for that.

We managed to communicate with the receptionist, who booked a taxi via their personal account. It cost us €5 instead of the usual $2. At that moment? You don’t care. You just need to leave.

Beijing Express: Essentials Before You Go

China is fully digital. Cash is useless, but apps can betray you. Here is your survival cheat sheet:

• Cashless is King (But Dangerous): You cannot order food or survive without the blue Alipay app. Set it up at home.
• The Great Firewall: Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp are blocked. Do not rely on airport Wi-Fi.
  • The Fix: Get an eSIM from Airalo (use code ANDRE5430 for a discount) or use mobile data via Revolut.
• Forbidden City vs. Views: If you want inside the palace, book weeks ahead. If you want the best view, go to Jingshan Park.
• Mongolian Freeze: In January, prepare for dry frost feeling like -15°C. Dress like you’re on a polar expedition. Thermal wear is a lifesaver.
• Visa Strategy: Print everything. Smile at the immigration officer. If you get lost, ask (and then verify with a second person).
• Language Barrier: Most taxi drivers speak zero English. You need an AI translator and screenshots of addresses in Chinese characters.
• Tech Prep: Download all maps, apps, and confirmations before you leave your home country. You won’t have the bandwidth to troubleshoot tech issues on the ground.

The Verdict: Was it Worth It?

Yes.

I saw the Great Wall, Beijing from above, and a slice of real China outside the transit zone. I wouldn’t fly there specifically just for this again, and I won’t romanticize it—it’s exhausting. But given the opportunity? It would have been a mistake not to go.

Total Cost: Approx. 4,200 CZK (~$185 / €170). Includes: Taxi, hotel, entry fees, and food.

For the amount of memories we packed in? That is a more than fair price.

If you have a layover in China and enough time: Prepare, be realistic, and go for it. Airports look the same everywhere. The Great Wall doesn’t.

The post 19 Hours in Beijing: The Ultimate Layover Guide (Great Wall & More) appeared first on André Kohout si píše.

Today they’re behind Macro Marketing Consulting, an agency that builds client growth on data, performance, and smart partnerships. And this is exactly where their path naturally connected with Meet&Deal.

From law to marketing. And from a café straight to Rondo

Martin and Vítek started in law. But marketing found them on its own. Their first “office” was a café, their main fuel was caffeine and the willingness to take on any challenge that came their way.

The breakthrough moment came with the University Hockey Championship. An event they sold out twice in a row at Brno’s Rondo arena.

“That’s where we first fully experienced the power of crowds, good promotion, and fast execution. It was the best marketing school we could have gotten,” they agree.

Events, logistics, communication under pressure. Everything had to work. And it did.

The rebrand that opened doors to “grown-up” business

The original name Barely Legal Entertainment was an honest reflection of their energy back then. Punk, exaggeration, student drive. But 2021 brought a fundamental change.

Macro won the tender for Domino’s Pizza, which was entering the Czech market. And it became clear that if they wanted to work with bigger brands long-term, they had to evolve outwardly too.

“We felt that with a punk name, we wouldn’t get into the corporate world long-term. That’s how Macro Marketing Consulting was born.”

The name changed, but not the mentality. It just got enhanced with data, structure, and clear focus on performance.

What Macro Marketing Consulting does today

Today Macro helps grow e-commerce projects and established companies, such as Vinolok a.s. They don’t chase superficial metrics, but what truly matters to clients. Profit and sustainable growth.

Their approach is based on connecting:

• performance advertising (PPC, paid social),
• strong communication and content on Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok,
• precise measurement and analytics (GA4, server-side tracking).
  

“We don’t manage chaos, but clear data. Every step must be backed by numbers,” you often hear from them.

The adrenaline stayed. They just invest it today in growing client projects.

____

“The team from Macro Consulting literally helped me save the paid advertising project… they set up a sustainable mode even for the complicated airsoft segment on Google and Meta.”

Dominik Duchek, Marketing Manager, Novritsch GmbH

____

Meet&Deal: For people, not for quick invoicing

Macro doesn’t come to Meet&Deal with the goal to “sell something right away.” Their motivation is people and know-how, which they can then transfer to clients.

“At Meet&Deal we specifically look for partners our clients ask us about themselves – AI specialists, chatbots, web and app developers.”

Thanks to this, Macro builds a strong delivery stack. Not just what they can handle internally, but also verified contacts they can immediately involve in projects.

And this is exactly why Meet&Deal makes sense to them.

What deals Macro takes away from Meet&Deal

It’s not about business cards or immediate invoicing. The value is in long-term partnerships that speed up and improve the quality of work for clients.

Typically these include:

• AI and chatbot solutions that reduce customer support load
• capacity for web and app development, integrations and automation,
• data tools and connections between advertising platforms and CDP.
  

Specific names are intentionally not mentioned. The focus remains on value, not on showing off.

Faster execution. Greater certainty for clients

One of the biggest values Macro gains thanks to Meet&Deal is speed of response.

“When a client needs something outside our core service, we don’t have to say: ‘We’ll find someone in a month.’ We know we have the right person for it.”

This shortens the path from brief to implementation and maintains high added value throughout the collaboration.

Fewer business cards, more meaningful relationships

Macro perceives Meet&Deal as an environment where it’s not about the quantity of contacts, but their relevance.

Less small talk.
More real conversations and long-term relationships that make sense both business-wise and personally.

And this is exactly why this partnership works.

Want to discuss online growth with them?

Let them know

The post Martin Dolinský & Vít Koudelka: From Sold-Out Rondo to Performance Marketing. Meet&Deal Brings Us People Our Clients Are Asking For appeared first on André Kohout si píše.