Eugeniusz Twaróg opened the conversation by asking Konrad Howard, co-founder of Booksy, about the beginnings of his business journey. Howard shared that before founding Booksy, he gained experience in various industries, including as a co-founder of iTaxi. He acknowledged that it was Booksy that ultimately achieved international success. He emphasized that a key element of achieving success is believing in one’s abilities, even when faced with unfavorable circumstances.

Howard highlighted that one of the greatest advantages Poles have is access to free higher education, which gives them an edge over countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, or the Netherlands. He added that while expanding into the U.S. market, he had no sense of inferiority because he firmly believes Poles have the potential to compete with Americans on equal footing.

He then proposed a three-stage life framework for young people: learn (education), earn (earning money), and return (reaping the fruits of earlier efforts). He explained that education in one’s youth serves as the foundation for all future achievements. Howard urged young people not to delay implementing their ideas, as others might seize the opportunity first. He stressed that if their idea is truly valuable, securing funding in Poland should not be an obstacle. At the same time, he pointed out that success requires not only good ideas but also the skills to bring them to life.

The co-founder of Booksy emphasized that the startup industry is not for everyone—it demands immense determination, self-confidence, and mental resilience. He shared his belief that the most important thing in life is to engage in work that brings joy, as without this, burnout is almost inevitable.

Responding to a question about handling crises, Howard expressed gratitude to Stefan Batory for providing support during challenging times. He underlined that choosing the right partners is one of the critical factors for success in business. He also noted that even when managing a multimillion-dollar business, it’s essential to find an outlet to maintain mental balance—he personally recommended regular physical activity and exercise as effective ways to deal with stress.

In conclusion, Howard expressed hope that the Polish startup ecosystem would continue to grow dynamically and that young people would choose to establish their businesses in Poland. He emphasized that the country has enormous potential to become one of the world’s key innovation hubs.