About

I may have left advertising years ago, but its spirit never left me. “I write as much as I am written.” That’s a line I still find hauntingly true. I wrote it for what is perhaps my favorite film I ever made. For Montblanc.

Narrated by the Chinese author Feng Tang (think the Chinese Henry Miller), the film is my love letter to writing. Thinking about it, most things I did with devotion were, in some way, love letters. To my family, my friends (and those who have passed away), the art of writing, film, human collaboration, and last but not least, organizational culture.

As love goes, I occasionally feel its keen sting. A couple of days ago, I shut down my first start-up due to error 404: PMF not found. As VC and friend Iskender Dirik put it: “Doing it was a good decision. So was stopping it. Two good decisions.”

I’ll take that.

As you’re reading this, I’m back in Germany after two intense months in San Francisco. I’m still processing everything I experienced and learned. What a ride. What a privilege. To be overwhelmed by a life I once prayed for.

My favorite poem reminds me of it. It’s Japanese and roughly translates to:

When I think of it as my snow
How light it is
On my bamboo hat

That’s what it felt like. Creating something from nothing, bringing it into existence from mere thought. With effort, creativity, courage and wonder. What a magical endeavour.

I understand serial founders now. I truly do. It won’t be the last time I do something audacious.

For now, it’s back to basics. Reaching out, writing applications. Getting this page back into shape. And sharing what I can, as the best version of myself I can be right now.

Until I create a better one.

Warmest,
Mathew