Reflecting on the journey so far - ReN3.ai

I spent a good part of this week in the Philippines doing planning with the team for the year ahead. It was the first time I met many of them in person despite months of video calls, chats, and working side by side virtually. Being in the same room just hits differently.

As I sat on the plane waiting to take off, I took a quiet moment to reflect. On the week. On the conversations. And on my own journey at ReN3 so far.

Startups are not easy. That sounds like such a generic statement, but it is almost impossible to explain the weight of it until you live through it yourself. I have been in later stage startups before, and now in an early stage one. The challenges look different, but the intensity is real in both. There are often more hair pulling days than smooth ones. There are moments of doubt, pressure, long nights, and difficult conversations.

But what gets you through is never just the strategy or the funding or the roadmap.

It is the people.

This week, in between the planning sessions, over simple meals and evening drinks, I found myself just observing. The laughter. The banter. The shared frustrations from the past few months. The quiet pride in how far we have come.

I am only coming up to month five at ReN3, but it feels like two years in the best and hardest way possible. I suspect the rest of the team feels the same. When you are building something from the ground up, time compresses. Every win feels earned. Every setback feels personal.

Of course, we all work to make a living. That is reality. And in a world constantly filled with news of layoffs and downsizing because numbers did not hit certain expectations, this week felt like a breath of fresh air. It reminded me what it actually feels like to build. To believe in something. To work toward a bigger purpose together.

We operate on a shoestring budget. There are no fancy perks or excess. What we have is belief. And we prop each other up when things get tough.

If you ever get the chance to meet our Philippines team, you will understand. The level of camaraderie is something special. There is grit, humility, and an incredible sense of togetherness. I am grateful to be part of their journey and part of ReN3.

Leadership is not always about having all the answers. Sometimes it is about creating an environment where people feel safe to build, to struggle, to laugh, and to keep going together.

My cup is full this week. And that says everything about the team I am fortunate to be building with.