On the occasion of a significant professional milestone, our Sole Director shares some personal reflections gained from over twenty years of entrepreneurial activity and more than twenty-five years of work in the field of voice technologies.
"Telefonami, tra vent'anni..." 
— a line from a well-known song by the Italian artist Lucio Dalla
This year I'm celebrating twenty years as an entrepreneur.
It sounds simple and straightforward.
In reality, it means twenty years spent convincing myself every day that this time, yes, everything was under control. Only to be proven wrong every time.
Doing business is probably the most tiring thing in the world.
A combination of enthusiasm, responsibility, and strategy that to many always seems like improvisation. And instead, it's the fruit of vision, risk analysis, a lot of pragmatism, and a sprinkle of hope that we've hit the mark.
It's tiring, it absorbs a lot of energy, and it has an extraordinary ability to fill even your free time before you realize it.
But, inexplicably, it's also one of the most wonderful things I know.
I've always worked in voice recognition, I've been doing it for over a quarter of a century, ever since explaining my work required time, patience, and at least one sentence like: "No, it's not like Star Trek."
I started when talking to computers was considered bizarre. When I said it would be normal one day, the response was a polite smile.
That smile that says, "Okay, dreaming is free. But now let's get back to serious things."
Over the years, I've learned that voice recognition works very well.
Especially when no one's looking.
As soon as there's a demo, a room full of people, and a few seconds of silence, any system decides to act like an artist. There must be some routine in the software developed specifically for this.
And you learn the fundamental art of entrepreneurship: smile, breathe, believe, and move forward.
Being an entrepreneur in a pioneering sector often means being "a little ahead of the curve." Sometimes a visionary.
Other times, simply stubborn.
It means believing in something when it's not yet obvious, when it needs to be explained over and over again while people think you're crazy.
And when the market politely takes its time while you have bills and invoices to pay.
Twenty years of entrepreneurship means: brilliant ideas followed by plan B, plan B that become plan A, and plan A that end up in a drawer.
It means learning that innovation isn't just technology, but ideas and people, especially people, trust, and a good tolerance for the unexpected. And endless perseverance.
It was tiring. Very much so. It always is, and still is.
But also deeply entertaining.
Because there's nothing more beautiful than seeing an idea work, a technology become useful, and a project survive long enough to seem like a good thing.
Actually, no, there are two more beautiful things.
1) Collaborators, Partners, and Customers, beautiful, genuine, and extraordinary people who have become friends.
This alone makes all the effort worthwhile.
2) The positive social impact we have left and will leave together.
Twenty years as an entrepreneur.
More than twenty-five years working with voice.
Machines understand better today.
Not me. I keep learning.
And despite everything, at my age, I would take exactly the same path again.
Oh, you don't believe it? Stay tuned...
And what can I say to young people? Believe in it, invest in ideas, the right ones. If you see something on the horizon, before believing everyone who tells you it's a mirage... think about it and look more closely. Sometimes you don't see anything wrong, just more distant. Persevere because it's not easy, and you will encounter many obstacles and just as many detractors. Some will laugh at you. Smile. You will also find many who will help and support you, they will be your mentors and also the first ones waiting for you at your goals. Never think you know better or that you don't have to ask for help. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. I've never learned anything from doing the right things. And if you don't see any meaning in that moment to all the effort you're putting in... take a breath and take a step forward. And then another. And then one more... Don't give up. Hard work always pays off. The goal shouldn't just be money. Alas, it's useful, but it's not the goal. And to those who will mock you, calling you just a crazy visionary, «hum... call me in twenty years...» And then move on. But don't change your number. 
"
The experience and choices recounted here are part of the DNA of Reconice, a company that has always put reliability, vision, and security at its core, right from the design stage.
reconice, security by design