The Uneed Residency ended on Sunday for me. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. I was excited, but also a bit nervous! What I found was a group of incredibly talented people, but more importantly, incredibly human people. We all come from different backgrounds. Some are just starting their entrepreneurial journey, others are much further ahead. Yet you wouldn't know it from the way they act. Everyone was humble, approachable, and genuinely willing to help. I wish I could have been there more. Family comes first, so I couldn't stay the whole time. But every conversation, every encounter, left me richer than before. I'm not someone who collects things, but I keep objects that mark important moments in my life. In 2019, during a yoga retreat in Portugal, I met a few entrepreneurs who planted a small seed in my mind. Around that time, my wife gave me a small Ganesh statue. In Hindu tradition, Ganesh is known as the remover of obstacles. To me, it became a symbol of finding meaning in my professional life, and eventually building a life with more freedom and joy. A few years later, I met @Aivars_Meijers (the CODE cap). At a time when I was deeply questioning my professional future (I had just god laid off), he helped me find some light again. Despite everything he has going on, he always took the time to answer my messages. Then I met @nicolasBachur, who showed me that making a living from apps was actually possible. It's different when the example isn't someone on the internet, but someone living close to you. And then @T_Zahil became my neighbor. The first time he told me about the idea of the Uneed Residency, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. Since January, I've been making a living from my apps. Yet somehow, I still struggled to call myself an indie developer. Maybe because changing your identity takes time. Before the Residency, I barely knew any indies personally. It's not really the mindset I grew up around, nor the one I found in most of my previous professional circles. But I can honestly say there is a before and an after Uneed Residency. The indie community is incredible, and for the first time, I genuinely feel like I belong here. I want to stay in touch with the people I met, follow their journeys, and meet more people like them in the future. (And keep improving my English 😄) Thank you Thomas for making this happen, for putting people at the center of the experience, and for making everyone feel welcome. The world needs more people like you.

Even on the last day, we're still working at the Uneed Residency. Or at least, that's how the afternoon started... @Pauline_Cx shared what worked well for her in business and the lessons she learned along the way. The discussion naturally expanded, with @DmytroKrasun, @benjamincode, @T_Zahil and other founders sharing their experiences and tips. Lots of practical insights and food for thought. A great way to wrap up the week!