9 years of Quodis
Today Quodis celebrates it’s 9th year of existence. For me personally that represents most of my recent life - from 17 to 26 years of age. Even though I only finished my studies two years ago, and arguably the first few years were only spent with a part-time commitment, looking back I know that every day had a role in shaping what Quodis is today.
I remember an infinity of episodes, good and bad decisions, successes and back-falls, and I know that I learned and evolved with each one of them. I guess that’s what they call “learn by doing”, which is the biggest gift of having your own company and having no one telling you what’s right or wrong.
Sometimes I wonder if I could have gone faster. I usually take quite some time before taking risky decisions - I still remember how daring it seemed when I first rented an office space and hired someone. It was a huge leap. But it just seemed right then - and not sooner nor later. I guess that’s what they call “right timing”, which is even more relevant when you take decisions by yourself - you learn that your gut is king.
I love sustainability - and I’m not talking about growing vegetables in my garden. I love not having to rely on external capital, borrow money or have to bet other people’s wealth on something I believe in. I know this makes me incompatible with and endless amount of business sectors and methods, but I wouldn’t be happy otherwise. Although we have some borrowed capital for cash-flow-survival-purposes (yes, we too have an average of over 60 days to get paid).
At Quodis we’ve been growing at steady and solid pace. We’re far from where we want to be in some years time, and that’s good: we have challenges ahead that keep us - or at least me - dreaming and moving forward and waiting for the right timing to take the next step, without having to sacrifice something I might regret in the future. I guess that’s what they call “keeping it real”, and I’m really glad we didn’t take the baits (and there are lots of them around) to make evil, short-sighted and money-oriented decisions.
And as we work to turn our next dream into reality, we’re having a hell of a good time celebrating another year of Quodis. Thank you to everyone who took a part in this enterprise. I could have done it without you, but it would have gone terribly terribly wrong.
Quodis - Est. 5 May 2001
