In 2025, the author built up the Meet&Deal project, expanded it to Slovakia, and faced many challenges and lessons along the way. He also took on a new role at BezCykleni and worked an average of 261 hours per month. Looking ahead to 2026, the author wants to continue the expansion of his projects and be more selective in who he collaborates with.
In this personal and reflective blog post, the author shares his experience of going through a period of burnout in his life. He discusses the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned about people and personal branding, and the changes he has made in his approach to work and relationships as a result of this difficult experience.
The report highlights the success of the Meet&Deal vol10 Xmas Edition event, with over 200 attendees, a great panel discussion on building communities, a raffle that raised 550k for a good cause, and a fun Secret Santa twist that took networking to the next level. Despite some organizational challenges, the event received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants.
Jakub Jarabica, the leader of one of the most prominent e-commerce companies in Slovakia, Blueweb, shares his journey from a student template to building the largest e-commerce conference in Slovakia, Upterdam. He discusses networking as a necessary skill for introverts, balancing work and personal life, and how e-commerce is not just a business but an environment he wants to build in the long term.
Michal Pastier, a prominent figure in Slovak marketing and innovation, discusses the role of chaos in business growth, the importance of context in branding, and how he sees entrepreneurship as a form of personal freedom. He talks about his experiences, from co-founding successful companies to writing a bestselling branding book and participating in a grueling rally race in the Sahara desert.
Jakub Čáslava, known as Kubova English, is a creator, teacher, and entrepreneur who has been able to explain even the most complex grammatical concepts in an entertaining way. He went from "drawer" raps and village discos to his own app with an AI avatar, which is now receiving great reviews from users and helping people learn English smartly and without embarrassment.
Michal "Yaksha" Novotný is a prominent figure in the Slovak creative and entrepreneurial world, who has transitioned from DJ and streetwear entrepreneur to building a global running community. His story highlights how he navigated major life changes, from the party scene to a focus on health and community through running.
Libor Nádvorník's path led him from a musician to building strategic partnerships and expanding the Czech e-mailing platform Mailkit abroad. He believes networking is about genuine relationships, not just collecting business cards, and that email marketing tools should be selected based on criteria like user-friendliness and integration, not just price.
The author attended the Upterdam 2025 conference in Slovakia and provides a detailed account of the event, including the Meet&Deal partnership, the warm-up dinner, the conference itself, the Upterdam Awards, and the afterparty. The author offers a positive evaluation of the event and looks forward to the next edition in 2026.
Ondřej Klega, CEO of eRockets and an experienced veteran of the Czech e-commerce industry, shares his journey from his first steps in a digital agency to leading a significant investment group focused on e-commerce. His story is an example of how hard work and strategic thinking can lead to success.
Egypt is a great place to relax, go snorkeling and see historic sights like the pyramids. The blog post provides useful tips for visiting Egypt, including getting a visa, using local currency, staying healthy, respecting local customs, getting around, and staying connected. The author recommends a specific hotel in Marsa Alam that is ideal for Czech travelers.
The blog article discusses the most nourishing networking event called Meet&Deal, where participants can build real collaborations and friendships, not just exchange business cards. It highlights the relaxed and informal atmosphere of the event, the deals and collaborations that have emerged, and the long-term nature of networking.
