Day 6/365: Building @FilamentFinance Last week, I sat down to write out my biggest Ws and Ls from the journey so far. Surprisingly, my biggest win wasn’t a product milestone or a market breakthrough. It was this: I’ve managed to maintain healthy, long-term relationships w/ my girlfriend, my closest friends, mentors, and my co-founder. What hit me while writing that? When you’re losing, empathy is easier to come by. But when you’re winning it’s rare to find people who genuinely celebrate with you, who feel your joy as their own, who want to see you shine. As a founder, I’ve come to realise that building strong, lasting relationships is just as important as building the startup itself. They take time, energy, and emotional presence but they become your anchor when things get tough - when self-doubt creeps in, and when the noise is loud and clarity feels far away. Whether it’s co-founders, mentors, or old friends, having a circle of trust has made this journey less lonely and a lot more resilient. From what I’ve seen, the founders who truly thrive aren’t just the most driven or the smartest.. They’re the ones who invest in people - who stay loyal, show up for others, even when no one’s watching. It’s easy to get caught up in the chase for quick wins or validation. But it’s the people around me who keep me grounded and remind me what really matters.