⚡️2021 Review: Taking big decisions & risks to find back my motivation...
« Héros de ma vie. Si je m'en sors c'est parce que j'ai du flair, dis pas que l'argent n'a pas d'odeur » — Nekfeu
Don’t tell to people what you will do, show them what you did! Let me share with you how I analyzed my year.
It can be a cliché, but after documenting my learning years after years, I can clearly say that 2021 has been the most intense year. It’s the result of the number of choices and decisions I made, multiple by the important moment I lived.
I had this feeling to write down these different topics, ensure I understood them, and replicate them this year.
I started to do this type of analysis 4 years ago, starting with simple bullets points in my Apple Note. Today I’m sure this note is already too long to be read. But what is important is the process I used, and the exercise to step back to prepare for the future.
I highly recommend you to do this exercise on your side. Start simple and then go crazy :)
But why I’m making it public?
Most of the time, I forgot to thank the people who helped me. Writing this note is the best way to remember all those persons and share it with them. #ImNotAlone
I discovered that my choice and decision can inspire many people. If a little guy in the south of France can read it and settle his goal for next year. I will be super proud. #LeadByExample
One of my 2021 goals was to document my learning, if you don’t write it down, you forgot.
Every time I share or communicate about a project, I receive feedback or message that help me. I’m waiting for feedback, comments, critic, advice :)
So what do I decide to include in this review?
🙌 What I'm proud to have accomplished this year!
From investing in startups to buying my first apartment, sharing moments with my family, and launching different businesses, it's a mix of personal and professional learnings all around the year.
My 2021 Goals's achieved
Zoom on a few successful Projects
Deep dive into more personal topics
🤩 A list of unbelievable experiences I lived
Spending most of my time traveling helped me to generate lifetime memories
😠 What are my frustration, things I wanted to do.
2021 was a very good year, but I still have plenty of frustrations. It's very important to share them.
🌍 A quick timeline of the place I have been
Working remotely and traveling around the world was my top priority. Some places weren't planned :)
🤝 The detailed list of my customers
Leaving Spendesk, becoming a solopreneur, I had the luxury to work with +20 companies.
Have a good reading 📚…
🙌 What I’m proud to have accomplished in 2021.
💼 PROFESSIONALLY
My departure of Spendesk, from the decision to the communication
I started with a simple internship back in 2016, the last 5 years were intense but fascinating for me. I never imagined but also doubted the Spendesk success. I’m super proud to have been part of the first 5 years of one of the biggest Software built in Europe.
You may have watched my video that explains my decision, well-produced by Valentin Nauton, it was in my mind for a long time.
I wrote a lot about the scenario and had fun recording videos all around the world. But I never imagine reaching thousands of views and receiving that amount of messages.
Also, I’m very proud to keep strong relationships with Spendeskers and alumni. Being able to have dinner or coffee with most of the people who shared the last 5 years is another example of how strong our culture was.
Finally, I’m super happy to see the Spendesk Mafia just created, with the first companies launched and money raised from each other.
Kill my American Dream and succeed to find a new one.
I build most of my young career with a goal to be important in the Silicon Valley. Back in January, I was a kid without a dream and a plan when I decided to leave the US position. It took me almost 6 months to find a new challenge that will draft my life for the next 10 years (at least).
The US, was my first and biggest failure, but the first time that I experienced the « Change Curve », and I can confirm that you go to all the steps :)
I needed to analyze where and why this US dream come from, what was my motivation, origin from my past. I needed to « peel » the dream to be able to find a new one.
I discovered that the place where I want to work and live is the most important for me. For that reason, Africa has attracted me the most since I’m a kid.
I understand that having an impact on a region, city or country is part of my motivation. I want to have a local impact around me.
I know that I’m want to take big risks, I don’t need a salary anymore, and I will launch my own company.
I’m an explorer who is excited to do things that other are scared of.
I’m battling the decentralization of the world, and countries will be more autonomous and less dependent on the old world and players of the colonization. I want to build a business that empowers that.
Starting this year, I still have other projects to complete before being able to jump 10 years in this challenge. I will relocate myself to Africa, explore different countries, and settle in a place that helps me launch a Tech company from there. See you in Africa in 2022!
Discover Angel Investing and master it!
Almost one year ago, I made my first Angel Investment in Swan.io (Fintech Infrastructure). In 365 days, investing in startups has become my new hobby. I read and learned a lot about it. I made investments alone, launched my club, work with a lawyer, invest with a holding... As an ex administrative phobia, it is a real challenge for me.
Outside the financial and legal aspects, I work a lot on my thesis, outreach to be able to succeed 19 Angel Investment in 2021. This topic is hot, I decided to write a dedicated newsletter later.
Succeed to earn more money as an Independent only 6 months after I quit
Leaving Spendesk was a big risk. I immediately started to work as an independent / freelancer to ensure I can keep (or increase) my lifestyle.
6 months later, I am proud to make more money and reach financial independence. I struggle a lot to identify the type of customers, the type of mission and adjust the pricing.
Today, I’m a happy “solopreneur”!
Hire my first Talent: Timothée
I was lucky enough to become a manager and learn management super young, thanks to Spendesk. When I left, I immediately missed working as a team, and when I secured enough revenue, I decided to hire my first employee. Super happy to work with Timothée since 4 months!
Succeed to remove this « Growth Hacker » Tag
Due to my Linkedin Post, the Growthletter, the post cast, and all the noise I created since 5 years about Growth in B2B SaaS, in the mind of the people, I’m one of the best Head of Growth of the space.
I’m very proud of that. But I will never be Head of Growth anymore, I learned it and mastered it. Now, it’s time for me to move to a new subject, rather than the fact that I’m still doing and thinking about Growth most of the time. I will work hard now to be recognized as an entrepreneur and creator.
Being able to build a network in any country in the world
I can proudly say that I developed my own method to quickly build a network in a new country. From the confidence to the message and method, I start to have strong connections in the different emerging countries I visited. I invested in a Brazilian and Senegal company and worked with Mexican and Colombian companies.
Grow my community about Growth
I clearly invest in my personal community this year, from different podcasts, Linkedin posts and events. I produced content to help Growth profile to have a better career. Since September, I organized more than 10 lives with experts to bring a new type of content and advice. It has been super successful with more than 150 people in average assisting to the live.
See the Spendesk Growth Team evolve.
When I announced to my team that I would dissolve the team and leave Spendesk, I didn’t expect them to evolve that much, half of the team stayed at Spendesk and built their own team, and the other half decided to leave to accept a bigger position and become the most wanted person of the ecosystem. I write a post about it on Linkedin: URL
Develop my network with VCs and Investors
Understanding how the tech scene works and where the money comes from is an important skill. VCs are the eyes of the ecosystem, and they know a lot of entrepreneurs. I spend important time building strong relationships with VCs to be able to have an introduction to talented entrepreneurs all around the world.
Worked with more than 20 Customers in 2021
I decided to stay a solopreneur this year and try a lot of different offers with more than 25 customers. After struggling at the beginning, I’m convinced about my différent offers:
> VP Growth Part-Time: helping SaaS companies to reach their first 150 customers
> Growth Advisor: Mentoring a junior Growth Profile to evolve and achieve his goals
> Helping companies to hire through Growth Talent
Executive Search, I hire your Head of Growth, from the outreach to the closing.
Hiring Advisory, helping you to build your Growth Team with my knowledge, playbook and network of talent:
😇 PERSONALLY
Find someone crazy enough to share my life 💜
I’m lucky to be able to find a partner in crime, someone who can follow me in my different adventures. So we decided to live together in Medellin.
Bought my first flat in Paris 🏠
Investing in real estate may be the first step for personal finance, leveraging my Spendesk salary to get access to credit. I bought a 46m2 apartment in the 10th district in Paris, for 460,000€. I will stay there when I will be in Paris (3/4 months per year), and the flat will be rented to other remote workers that need to be in the city and are looking for an alternative to Airbnb Pricing.
Learning Spanish and being able to have a conversation 🇪🇸
I’m not fluent yet, working hard on it, but I’m independent. I can order my food, travel alone, have a dinner in Spanish. Still difficult to realize, and I’m sure my different English or Chinese teacher will still not believe that I’m now able to speak in 3 different languages. So I will continue to work on my Spanish in 2022 before learning Arabic!
Succeed to live around the world 🌎
I own a flat in Paris, rent one in Medellin, traveling the rest of the time. This year again, I succeed to live around the world.
Find and collaborate with a talented Therapist. 🔮
I know how essential it is to understand yourself better, I needed the help of someone who is qualified to help me understand some part of my behavior and ambition. I’m working with Fanny Nusbaum for 7 months. I can clearly see the result on my long-term goals. A therapist is, for me a mental coach, as an athlete, you always need a coach to over-perform.
Make me gifts 🎁
I have a decent amount on my bank account since 3 years, but I never use that money to myself. This year I try to change it and accept to buy gifts to myself more often: a Patagonia outfit, hardware, and a drone. I’ll continue to buy experiences as long as traveling is still the number 1 of my expenses. I’m expecting a year 2022 full of travels and adventures.
Become less phobic about administrative and legal stuff 👩💼
I created 5 different companies, doing a lot of accounting and learning about tax. I clearly understand the sentence from Warren Buffet: “Accounting is the language of business”, understanding this language allows you an unfair advantage.
Succeed to make cry of happiness my dad 🤩
I realize one of my dad’s dreams! For that reason, I offered him his dream car, but It’s not about the car himself. What it’s important, it is the message behind it. My dad is a typical French dad, always calm and quiet. He doesn’t really open or shares his feelings. He taught us how to drive, he bought us a computer and always have been there for me and my brother.
Here, the story behind it: He bought a Jeep in 2007 after dreaming about it as a kid. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons, he had to sell it in 2013. Since that he had in mind to buy a new one when he will be retired. But in early December, I anticipated his dream and bought him a Jeep Wrangler 1988 v6, fully renovated. Definitely one of my most significant moment of the year, with such emotion.
I always believe that my dream is to help achieve the dreams of the people I love.
Bring my mom to Colombia 🇨🇴
My mom never visit Latin America, for that, as a Christmas gift, I bring her for 10 days across Colombia. Living away from my family is one of my biggest frustration, for this reason, being able to organize this type of trip are vital for me. She falls in love of Guatape, a little town known as the best view in the world.
Build stronger relationships with people I admire 🙌
I’m happy to pass important steps in my friendship with people who are like me and share the same vision and ambition. There is the Spendesk Mafia in the first place, where I kept a strong and honest relationship.
On top of that are, Nicolas, Morgan, Ahmed, Baptiste, Aurélien, Lucas, and many more. These people are the ones that I built the strongest friendship this year. Being invited to 3 of their weddings helped :)
Work and collaborate with my mom 👩👦
Yes, I have a 1:1 with my mom every week :)
Include my mom in my working routine was the best idea, she helps me a lot for the admin and accounting topics as well as copywriting. She will have a strong part of my life plan and will manage some of my businesses. This is just the begging.
Be at the front page of my local newspaper.
LaDépêche is the biggest newspaper in South of France, and I got interview by one of its journalist to talk about how education system are broken and how underserved territory have strong talent that are hidden. It was interesting to see how journalism work (terrible) and to realize the impact on the people who knows me from “College” and Primary School.
I have done more sport and been in good shape!
I run more this year, got a subscription at a Gym club, and started boxing. I love it!
I also did plenty of hikes, from the US to Peru.
⚡️ Deep Dive on my Linkedin strategy in 2021
I have been Proactive on Linkedin in 2021, most of you know me thank to this channel. The ROI of this social media is already proven and on my side, it generates me angel investment opportunities and a tons of business. I will track more the lead gen of the platform next year.
You want to know more? here are some of my key metrics during the 2021 Linkedin strategy
73 post in 2021
Reach 10,000 followers
More than 28,574 of Likes
More than 2,311,356 of views 🤯
I broke my virality record with a « random post » about Hiring tips, that reached half a million of views.
Rather than those numbers, I want to tell you how powerful was Linkedin for me:
I hire my first employee after a Linkedin post 😍.
I use this platform to connect with people when I am traveling, and it helps me to generate strong relationships.
It’s clearly my first acquisition channel, and the perfect example of the power of Inbound. I have more than 2 business opportunities per week.
I posted my Whatsapp number on Linkedin and got spam for 3 weeks :)
👍 My Favorite Content consumed this year
📚 My favorite book – Small Giants
🎥 My favorite documentary – Kiss the Ground (Netflix)
📹 My favorite YouTube Video – Why SpaceX is Making Starlink
🎧 My favorite podcast – Generation Do It Yourself #137 with Yannick Noah
🎤 My favorite Rap Album – Civilisation @Orelsan
🤩 Here are some crazy moments/experiences that ma this year unforgettable!
Offering the dream car to my Dad
My investment/purchase of 2 JR’s lithography
I bought in February and September a lithography of JR (my favorite photographer), the feeling when you receive them and put them of the wall is something.
The first one is clearly a symbol of my US Dream. You can see a kid with a lot of hope and ambition blocked at the border due to outdated immigration rules (and a global pandemic).
On top of that, my brother had the chance to met JR randomly in front of his apartment in Paris, and took a selfie with him. That’s why I bought the second one :)
Spending 15 days in quarantine inside a Hospital in Panama 🇵🇦
I was lucky against covid for too long, but it caught me back while traveling to Costa Rica in April, I got tested positive at the Panama airport (during a stop), and I was placed in quarantine inside a hotel. From the « VIP » ambulance crossing the tarmac, to the horrible food inside this fancy room without windows. It was clearly my biggest mental fight of the year.
The result of my DNA Test
I used 23andme and received a complete DNA result about my origins and some genetic behavior/attributes. It was surprising for me to discover that I didn’t have any Arabic blood, actually, I still have a strong part of my history unknown because my grandfather was abandoned, so after multiple trips to the Middle East, I was convinced to have "Arabic blood", but unfortunately no :)
I’m 70% French and 30% Spanish (I still need to find why). On the other hand, I also got the proof that I have a strong motion sickness due to my DNA and why mosquitoes love me more than you.
All my Angel Investment
The moment when you make the decision to invest, reach a mutual agreement and then send the money, is a mix of scariness and excitement. To be honest, it is quite addictive, I’m lucky enough to have a limit cash available that block me to do it more and helps me to be very careful in my choice.
My last trip to the US, from the goodbye to sleeping at the immigration office in Miami
Say goodbye to this country and to the team we have built in San Francisco 🇺🇸 was essential for me. Without my working visa, I used the last days of an old touristic visa to be able to enter to the US in February. As always, immigration was super friendly and they asked me to wait few hours (5h to be precise) in the middle of my connection in Miami, I missed my flight, so that I needed to sleep there, but finally, they let me pass.
Being back to my favorite city in the world, more than 12 months after my « exfiltration » during the covid and lockdown, was an amazing feeling. At that time, I already knew that it was last time I was going to visit this country, and even that I was never going to live there again. You can see this emotion in my Spendesk departure video, recorded in Salesforce Park.
Try new transport method for the 1st time: Parapente, Helicopter, Kite Surf but also Business Class.
Decided to rent an apartment in Medellin to buy furniture and enjoyed the best view of Medellin
Now you know the main reason why I fall in love with Medellin. I decided to spend most of my year there and rent a flat. So happy to have this quality of life. I rented the flat while traveling and didn’t lose money so far. It’s the first step before owning a flat in that ciudad :)
Climb the giant arch of Los Cabos clandestinely
There is some crazy travel stories that I can tell you all, and here is one of the most intense. When I was working from Baja California in Mexico, I wanted to visit a beach difficult to access, after finding a little path, I met a local, a little bit weird, who proposed me to guide me to the beach. Being at the beach he proposed me to climb the Arch, I followed my instincts and followed him. Clearly the most dangerous and scary hikes of the year, no protection at all, no security... But something true is that I enjoyed a unique view of Los Cabos from more than 100 m above the crowded beach.
Started Boxing
I always wanted to start Boxing, my parent was never enthusiast when I was a kid, I remember that I only did boxing during some difficult football game younger :) This year I took a personal coach @Mauricio, from Colombia, who trained me 2 times per week for 1 hours. It’s the most intense sport I have ever done, @Aurelien who train one time with me, can confirm 😂.
Receiving my Starlink 📡
After watching my favorite video of the year (mentioned before), I let you imagine that my first action was to buy Starling, I was one of the first user in France. The subscription is 100$ per month and you need to buy the hardware (500$) but since October I’m using it! My dad lives in the countryside (09700 Canté rpz), and didn’t have optical fiber until now that he can enjoy watching a movie online or downloading music.
An epic night in the Brazilian Favela of Vidigal
I spent more than a month in Rio in October and I had the chance to connect with expats and local people who brought me to this indescribable place. The experience was basically drinking Caipirinha in one of the most beautiful views on top of Rio and finishing the evening riding motocross in the middle of guys holding machine guns. It was « Safe », never in danger, but will be in my mind forever. Thanks, @Jordan for the organization!
Being invited as VIP to a football game in the Maracana!
Brazil was full of surprises, and this definitely was the craziest moment! after discussing with the owner of the hotel where I was staying, I shared my frustration to not be able to see a football game at the Maracana because tickets can not be sold to foreigners. I never expected that his father-in-law was the ex président of Flamengo Football Club, the biggest club in Brazil. The day after, his personal driver was traveling to the game with me, we entered in the prestigious stadium from the Player entrance, and was seated the 3rd seat in front of the players.
Life is surprising!
My first Michelin ⭐⭐
First time inside a Michelin Star restaurant, ORO with doubly starred, I enjoyed it a lot. Quick tips, never take the wine pairing menu, you will definitely finish drunk :)
I also had the chance to eat in the best Restaurant of Colombia, El Cielo, definitely a good usage of your money if you are food enthusiast. More than just a food, it’s a real experience.
Got invited to my first weddings
Two of my best friends organized their wedding last June, it was the first time I was invited. I bought a new suit and learned the different codes. Really a good moment and connections with my friends.
Drive a T-Max in Tenerife
I started the year in the volcanic island of Tenerife, and rented a nice scooter during the stay, I enjoyed driving across the volcans and beach with this type of engine. Having the moto license is clearly a goal for next year!
Sleept in a Hammock in the middle of the Colombia’s biggest desert, La Guajira, for 3 days
Back in March, I explored with my cousin the northernmost point of South America, that is in Colombia. We had a local guide crossing this enormous desert in a 4x4 while sleeping all night long on a Hammock. As a disclaimer, you don’t really sleep :)
Enjoying the Airport Lounge with the Priority Pass
Every airport in the world have a business lounge, a space where you can sleep, eat and work far away from the crowd. You can buy a premium card call Priority Pass (35€ per month) that allows you to access to lounge all around the world. If you are like me and always want to arrive at the airport in advance, this card is made for you!
The football game between Toulouse and Sochaux
Since I’m a kid, I support 2 football teams: Toulouse my hometown, and Sochaux my dad’s hometown. It was a ritual to see the game opposite both team in Toulouse. After decades in the first division, both team are now playing in the second division, and I was back to the stadium with my dad and brother.
Being a mentor at HEC Paris
As a dropout student, the imposter syndrome to never graduate from a recognized school is always here. I was invited to advise student from the entrepreneurship program about their Go to market strategy. Very fascinating exercise
Seen the July 14th firework from a roof in Paris
I always love to climb a building and the national day in Paris was the perfect opportunity to do it 🎇. Few lockers were broken, but the view was impressive. For sure you can’t get a better spot.
Bough a drone and learned how to film and edit
It was my biggest irrational purchase of the year, this Dji Air 2s drone was clearly not a mistake. It brings a completely different point of view when you travel, and generates unique memories. I invite you to check some of my best shots on Instagram.
🛒 One of my hobbies, buying domains name, here is my 2021’s purchases
[growthmoney.vc] –The email I used for my angel investment, Jeremy@growthmoney.vc
[theGoillot.news] – Used for my personal newsletter and diaries.
[theGoillot.coffee] – Better than a boring Calendly/Jeremy-goillot
[Spendesk.club] – I’m sure one day, we will have a club between Spendesk alumni.
[growthtalent.email] – To be used for emailing with GrowthTalent
[growthtalent.org] – Core domain name of my Talent agency for Growth
[remote.maison] – Want to make my flats/villas available for rent or build a coliving in Africa
[growth.beer] – Holding for the moment, cool extension right?
So far, I may own +50 domain names, most of them are redirect or unused, it’s clearly less profitable than holding Ether, but I really enjoy looking for new domain names.
🤑 Zoom on my 19 Angel Investment in 2021
I will write down a deep dive of my angel investment and share it with you. But let me remind you few things.
Why I invest in startups?
I unlock some capital from working inside a scaleup, from my high salary to the equity that I own at Spendesk.
I’m a huge fan of the tech industry, I spend most of my time doing research and competition analysis. I know this world very well and understand it. I think I have an unfair advantage for this type of asset.
I’m not scared to reach out a founder and I always give them value. From this strategy, I’m able to connect with ambitious founders, build strong relationships and have a space during the fundraising.
Tech is a booming sector, the current bubble allow me to potentially made x10 return on my investment.
I’m learning a lot for each investment. Investing inside a startup gave you access to the earning of the company, the market knowledge and talented people. For example, investing in Tesla, Bitcoin or Apple don’t bring me extra knowledge.
But How do I find those opportunities?
This is the question that I receive the most, and people are completely wrong about Angel Investment.
Most of people believe that you receive a pitch deck by mail or your are part of a secret Slack/WhatsApp groups or even that a platform allows anyone to invest in the « best startups », none of that exist and people who may sell you that, are liers.
You need to find the startups and you need to create your own opportunity!
I may develop it in a future post, but most of my investments are a result of a networking or outreach strategy. I never reach out to a founder asking them to invest in their company. I challenge the vision, share some Go To Market tips & strategies, gave previous feedback about the product etc…
Few examples of the origins of my investment:
Being one of the first user of the solution (Hightouch, Attio…)
Help them for they Go To Market Strategy (Causal, Swan, Secoda..)
Know the founder for a long time (Defacto, Reveal…)
Interview them about the space and the industry before building a strong relationship (Palenca, mGrana…)
Introduction from another Business Angel (Platypus, Refty..)
There is no magic tricks, you create your own opportunities, bring value to the founder and build a strong relationship, you may have a spot in the next round.
MY 19 ANGEL INVESTMENT IN 2021
💳 Swan.io – SEED 🇫🇷 #Fintech
Hichtouch.io – SEED 🇺🇸 #ModernDataStack
Causal.app – SEED 🇬🇧 #Finance
Folk.app – PRE-SEED [eFounders] 🇫🇷 #CRM
Attio.com – SEED 🇬🇧 #CRM
Platypus.io – SEED 🇩🇰 #HRTech
At.cafe – PRE-SEED 🇫🇷 #RemoteWork
Secoda.co – PRE-SEED 🇨🇦 #ModernDataStack
Palenca.com – SEED 🇲🇽 #API
Crew.work – SEED [eFounders] 🇫🇷 #TalentCRM
Refty.co – PRE-SEED 🇫🇷#HRTech
getDefacto.com – SEED 🇫🇷 #Finance
Stoik.io – SEED 🇫🇷 #CyberSecurity
Airsaas.io – SEED 🇫🇷 #SaaS
Cauri.Money – PRE-SEED 🇸🇳 #Fintech
Collective.work – SEED [eFounders] 🇫🇷 #Freelance
Wagmi – SEED 🇫🇷 #eLearning
Reveal.co – SEED 🇫🇷 #CRM
mgrana.com – SEED 🇧🇷 #Fintech
My Angel Investment strategy was not full of success, and I wanted to share some failures with you
A. 3 startups refuse my investment after long discussions: SundayApp (SEED), Join Jump (PRE-SEED), Unions54 (SEED). For example, I received a lot of negative answers, either ever received the paper they promised me, and even I helped some of them to hire a Head of Growth but at the end of the day they never gave me a spot.
B. I invested with 4 different « vehicules », but I needed to learn first a lot about taxes and the administrative aspect. For example, I was not able to invest in N8N, a German company, due to the complexity of the process.
C. I didn’t invest in a Colombian Company, the country where I spend most of my time. I had a strong opportunity inside the B2B Neobank or the new Accounting software, but at the end, no money sent!
D. I didn’t exit yet, I had 2 opportunities of selling my shares but I took the risk to stayed to the next round.
🚀 What’s next: Launching my own small fund next year to invest in emerging countries (LATAM + AFRICA)
🤯 Life is also Challenging, here is my bad and frustrations during 2021
💼 PROFESSIONALLY
Not producing enough content!
After crushing the outbound strategy at Spendesk, I’m convinced that Inbound, Content and Brand is the core of any business, and I really want to apply them for myself. I want to continue to build my personal brand, launch medias, produce high-value content.
I’m happy on my Linkedin strategy and my personal newsletter. But I really wanted to launch my YouTube channel and increase the number of content shared. I will build a team around me to do it in 2022.
⚡️24 hours of failure recording a video in Medellin
To symbolize this frustration, I wanted to produce a guide on how to work from Medellin 🇨🇴. I decided to hire a freelancer, but due to some miscommunication, I ended up hiring a group of 4 people. After crashing the company drone that almost cut a finger to the filmmaker, we failed to record due to technical or sound problems and loose plenty of time, I was so disappointed that I ended up canceling the project and just paid the guy. I lose time and money but learned a lot.
My biggest learning was to focus on the quality of the video and the different plan rather than the content. I wanted to produce a movie as a second YouTube video. I will now shoot on my iPhone, work with a team to post-production editing, and share it.
Not succeed to launch a business with an associate, always being alone
Working alone, being the only one leading my different project, is hard. I would love to associate on a different project this year, from association to content or side business. I built a strong relationship with a person but didn’t succeed in launching a proper project with a partner.
Stil say « US » when I talk about Spendesk
It's very hard to turn the page after 5 years, I clearly include myself as a Spendesker today, when I talk to people, they have the feeling that I’m still passionate and active in the organization. I don’t regret my choice, but I’m in this balance where I’m still the #1 fan of this purple card.
I didn't work or advance on my foundation & education program
One of my end goal is to build a middle school that allows kids to reveal their potential. I want to show that another kind of education is possible. To achieve this ambitious goal, I need to invest time, money and energy to come closer of the educational system. Until now, I didn't interview anyone, didn't visit any middle school or launched any initiative in that sense. Clearly a defocus for me to not be able to have done anything yet.
Not mastering in Accounting and Taxation
I made strong progress and learned a lot this year, but still far away from the level I need to have to succeed in my different projects. I need to learn more the « language of business » from international taxation, investment schema to accounting basics. This point is clearly linked to the next one.
Not being surrounded by good people for my support function.
As a solo entrepreneur who is making a decent amount of money and who is ready to take enormous risks to make more, you have to be surrounded by smart people that help you on different topics. I'm still actively looking for an Accountant, Tax Consultant, wealth manager etc.
Failed to boost 2 side projects: TechNaan & Growthletter
I wanted to push TechNaan to the next level, instead, I stopped after 79 startups were identified, I didn't like the format and the output was not aligned with my long goal strategy.
We also wanted to revamp Growthletter and we worked with a talented design agency but we failed in the release execution. The main reason is the lack of motivation after 3 years running the biggest newsletter in French about Growth.
😱 I almost launch a CRM Company
Back in June, when I decided to leave Spendesk, I was convinced that I will launch a CRM company.
Since the beginning of Spendesk, we have struggled to organize the business data and make them available to the business team. Thanks to the talent I hired, we solved that problem and Spendesk become one of the first scale-up to use a modern data stack as CRM. I truly believe that most of the tech companies will switch to this data infrastructure and dedicated technical resources to trackle this problem.
I decided to be associated with Aurélien Aubert, who technically solved this problem at Spendesk. We launched a Sprint and also interviewed more than 60 companies between CTOs or Data Engineers to understand how was the market, the need was there and most of the people was align to our vision. In the same time I invested in different players of the space: Modern Data Stack & CRM and we tried all the new solutions launched in that space.
Our vision and understanding of the space was the most robust.
Then, we started to look for a potential confounder, and we almost signed 2 cofounders. My strongest bet in this moment was to build a talented team from the beginning.
But user interview after user interview, I realized that the mission of the company, the persona and the industry was not challenging me enough, I wanted to launch this company for the wrong reason because I was solving a problem that I is already solved (easy path) in a well-known industry. From this feeling, I started to analyze why this project was not motivating me enough, and here is few learnings:
I don't want to sell only to companies who raised funds, I prefer to have a large amount of customers.
I want to build a company with a long term vision, still being at the head in 10 years, and don't want to surf on a trend #ModernDataStack
I want to have an impact on an ecosystem or territory, I feel frustrated to not have a local presence.
I want to start from a blank page again, when I joined eFounders, I didn't know anything about SaaS, Outbound or Fintech. It's because I was enthusiastic to learn everything that I have been successful and passionate.
I want to live in an emerging country and build a company from there.
It was a difficult decision, particularly to explain my choice to Aurélien, but it's better to realize it earlier in a project. Another difficult point is the feedback from the others, who think you don't launch your project because your are « scared », « lazy » or not « ready ». I'm angry maybe I'm braining a lot about this project, but the most important is to design your life philosophy, launching a company is just a step to achieve this philosophy.
I will continue to interview people, invest in companies, produce content, make money as a solopreneur, until I really find what problem motivates me enough to dedicate the next 10 years of my life.
😇 PERSONALLY
My brother’s health issue make his life harder
Sometimes you realize how lucky you are to be in good health, being able to travel all around the world, take big risks and projects by yourself on the long term. Unfortunately, some people that you love the most don’t have the same chances. Also if you are not directly concern, it’s your biggest challenge to fight that, being able to enjoy your own life and be a support to them. This year again I realize how lucky I was and how important my brother is for me.
Don’t travel enough in Africa
It’s the first time in the last 5 years that I don’t travel to Africa, I can see the deception in my mind. This continent who fascinate me since a kid. This continent is where I want to build my life and business. I need to be there. This year was a big transition to be able to have everything done to settle my life there.
Spend more time with my family
This is the perfect illustration of: « You have to make some sacrifices in your life, to be successful », living closer to my family, having dinner with them frequently is clearly not possible with my current lifestyle and life goals. I’m ok with it, but it still difficult.
It’s a real dilemma what I’m living, because I don’t want to live where I’m come from or where I grew up; for that reason, I need to be successful enough to ensure that my parents and my brother will follow me in my new life. I still have this idea in mind to launch a business with my brother and having my mother managing another, so both will live near to me.
Workout more and practice more sports (Kitesurf, boxing, regularity)
I don’t have a regular sport practice, I’m very intense for few weeks, then don’t do anything for a moment. Also, I don’t have any particular goals related to sport, I enjoy to practice, but I love more to compete. I need to fix a clear goal for next year to ensure I will be more regular.
Being able to manage my nutrition better
I’m convinced that what you eat impacts your life. Despite the fact that I’m in perfectly healthy condition, I believe in having a balance alimentation, don’t drink soda and never eat salty products. Rather than this basics learning, I don’t understand anything about nutrition and after different conversations with people who take that seriously, you discover how uneducated person your are and what you may missed. Gluten-Free, Vegan etc.. I want to try different diets to understand what my body really needs.
Build a strongest group of friends around me, spend more time with them
I’m a social person, this year I can see that I developed strong relationships with people who are important to me. But I didn’t launch big project with them, went to vacation or have enough precious moments together. This is an important axis that I will work in the comings years.
Owning a moto
I still need to get the driving license, but being able to drive a moto while traveling or when I’m back in Toulouse is one of my goals list. I already have the name of the school in Paris just need to book time in my calendar to practice and get license.
Still not satisfied with my Haircut
Some points are « lighter » than others 😂, I’m working on my capitar style since the beginning of the year as my hair is growing, I try a bench of different style and I’m still not convinced which one is matching to me. I will gave few more month to the long haircut before cutting everything and stick to the basic.
Didn’t invest enough in wine
It was one of my personal goals in 2021, I wanted to start my personal cellar and invest in wine, I failed the initial project to build one in my dad house and got my apartment in Paris too late. I will start with a small electric cellar of 24 bottles this year. I always have in my mind that the wine you buy this year will be an exceptional gift in 20 years and a perfect symbol.
🎙 Podcasts recorded this year
This is one of my favorite exercises and something that I like to do, I see podcasts mainly as a media training rather than an acquisition channel. I try to pick a podcast where I can talk about different subjects and try new punchlines. I’m also jealous to never launched mine, I remember buying all the materials for Spendesk in March 2019 but never take the risk to launch it. In 2022, I will produce (finance and distribute a podcast where I’m not the host) and looking for a team interested to launch a Show about Tech in emerging market with me. I will keep you posted.
GrowthMakers #149 – Last Podcast as Spendesk employee, where I talk about the last version of the Growth Team and my new position in the US
SaaS Connection #5 – Explaining the difference between the French and US Market for Software Companies
Faut Que Ça Close #4 – How the Spendesk Growth Team was dedicated to the Sales Team
SaaS Club #26 – How to build a Growth Team and present my new project Growth Talent
French Doer x Jérémy Goillot – My longest podcast ever, I talk about everything, childhoods, spendesk, travel. If you want to know me, here is 3 hours about me.
Speak Up! X Jérémy Goillot – A podcast for young and ambitious person about succeed in your career.
La Galère with Jérémy Goillot – I wanted to talk about all my personal failure as an early employee, not satisfy of the result, but worth a try..
Les Rois du Scale #9 – Explanation of Growth and how to apply it to freelancer to find more mission.
🌎 Places visited this year
Toulouse 🇫🇷
Paris 🇫🇷
Angouleme 🇫🇷
Tenerife 🇪🇸
Medellin 🇨🇴
San Francisco 🇺🇸
Arizona 🇺🇸
Utah 🇺🇸
Nevada 🇺🇸
Cartagena 🇨🇴
Medellin 🇨🇴
Santa marta 🇨🇴
Guajira 🇨🇴
Bogota 🇨🇴
Costa Rica
Panama 🇵🇦
Medellin 🇨🇴
Holbox 🇲🇽
Tulum 🇲🇽
Valladolid 🇲🇽(Chichen Itza)
Los Cabos 🇲🇽
Mexico City 🇲🇽
Medellin 🇨🇴
Toulouse 🇫🇷
Paris 🇫🇷
Madrid 🇪🇸
Montpellier 🇫🇷
Marseille 🇫🇷
Nice 🇫🇷
Paris 🇫🇷
Toulouse 🇫🇷
Medellin 🇨🇴
Minca 🇨🇴
Palomino 🇨🇴
Santa Marta 🇨🇴
Medellin 🇨🇴
Paris 🇫🇷
Medellin 🇨🇴
Ibagué 🇨🇴
Medellin 🇨🇴
Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷(Corcovado)
Jericoacoara 🇧🇷
Medellin 🇨🇴
Toulouse 🇫🇷
Paris 🇫🇷
Nantes 🇫🇷
Paris 🇫🇷
Toulouse 🇫🇷
Medellin 🇨🇴
Santa Marta 🇨🇴
Guatape 🇨🇴
Cuzco 🇵🇪
Machu Picchu 🇵🇪
Huacachina 🇵🇪
Lima 🇵🇪
🎯 What are my goals for 2022?
Don’t tell to people what you will do, show them what you did! See you next year :)
Ok, let’s gave you some tips:
I will travel a lot, mainly in Afrika
I want to triple my yearly income, continue to invest in different type of assets (startups, real estate, wine, trading)
I want to launch a media and produce more content
I want to spend more time with my friends and family
And I will continue to document my learning and share them.
2022 = 365 days, how you will use them?
From Cuzco 🇵🇪 with proud of my 2021 year.
Jérémy
Sympa toutes ces news, belle année indeed, à++
Excellent Jerem cest que le début!