After writing an annual review for the first time for 2019 and 2020, I continue this tradition with some delay for the past year 2021.
In it, I take a very candid look at these topics:
💻 Work & Business
My software company Friendly grew by +79%. While monthly recurring revenue (MRR) was 6,442 Fr. (~ $6,922) at the beginning of 2021, it was a whopping 11,553 Fr. (~ $12,414) at the end of 2021.
The number of Friendly employees actually increased by 100%. At the beginning of the year, our CTO Joey Keller and I were still just the two of us. Then in August, Kathrin Schmid joined us as Customer Happiness Manager and in November Brady Cargle as Software Engineer.
In 2021, Friendly acquired 76 new customers for our privacy-friendly marketing automation and web analytics software. Among them were well-known names such as the canton of Zürich, Branchen Versicherung and init7.
My digital marketing agency Wortspiel also performed well. Our fee revenue increased by over +30% to 584’821 Fr (~ $630’805) net.
I am particularly pleased that our long-time employee Jennifer Walter has taken on more responsibility. As COO and Chief Happiness Manager, she takes care of the day-to-day business and the satisfaction of our employees and customers. This is a huge relief for me.
However, the positive development of the companies also took its toll on my own health. I definitely worked too much in 2021 and had too many tasks on my shoulders, despite reliefs at Wortspiel.
My main professional goal for 2022 is reduction. I will hand off more tasks to my team and also say no more.
👨👩👧👧 Personal Life & Family
I separated from my wife at the beginning of January 2021 and moved out. I will not write anything publicly about the background. Friends know how they can reach me.
The situation was not easy and cost additional energy. Overall, 2021 was probably the most exhausting year of my life.
Since the separation, and going forward, I try to continue to be a good father to my two daughters and maintain a constructive relationship with their mother.
🏃♂️ Health & Fitness
Sport was my lifesaver in 2021. Without regular jogging (2-3 times about 6 km per week), I might not have made it through the year the way I did.
Also helpful for me was the app Seven, which my sister recommended to me. The app offers a full-body workout at home that requires no equipment or tools and takes only seven minutes.
In the last days of the year I discovered the Wim Hof Method. Wim Hof is also known as the Ice Man and has set numerous world records, such as for the longest dive under ice.
The Wim Hof method consists, among other things, of a 10-minute breathing exercise that increases the oxygen content in the blood and thus prevents inflammation. I also feel much more awake and efficient afterwards. Since then, I do it almost every morning after getting up and have a better start to the day.
🙋 Friends & Community
I massively neglected my friends in 2021 due to the stresses of work and family.
In 2022, I will once again take more time for the people who are important to me.
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