CPTO @ NextRetreat | Specializing in SaaS Growth and Promoting Sustainable Travel

As the author of 𝐓𝐨𝐩 1% 𝐍𝐨𝐝𝐞.𝐉𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫, I focus on sharing deep insights into Node.js internals, covering topics like the event loop, garbage collection, and memory optimization to help developers write more efficient, scalable code.

With 6 years of experience in JavaScript/TypeScript, my work has centered around designing algorithms, building data structures, and optimizing performance. My passion lies in bridging the gap between understanding system internals and writing practical, high-performance Node.js applications.

If you're looking to enhance your Node.js skills with advanced tips and techniques, let’s connect!

Peter Kulcsár Szabó

Timur Negru

AffordiHome

Leading a specialized real estate advisory firm focused on helping foreign buyers and international investors find and acquire security-quality properties across Mediterranean Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France).

My mission is to demystify the process for non-local buyers, providing the on-the-ground expertise and rigorous due diligence necessary to make confident and successful investments.

Key responsibilities and activities include:

- Exclusive Buyer Representation: Acting as a dedicated advocate for buyers, from initial consultation and property sourcing through to negotiation, closing, and post-purchase support.

- Market Analysis & Due Diligence: Conducting in-depth analysis of micro-locations and performing rigorous due diligence on properties to identify "non-obvious" opportunities and mitigate risks.

- Sourcing & Curation: Building and leveraging a network of local agents and contacts to source unique on-market and off-market properties that align with client investment goals and lifestyle aspirations.

- Content & Brand Development: Authoring high-value content, market insights, and case studies to educate foreign buyers, published through LinkedIn and the weekly AffordiHome newsletter.

Founder & CEO

thriftify

Co-Founder and COO

Thriftify is a SaaS based eCommerce platform that connects charity shops and other social enterprises with conscious consumers that results in a circular economy.

Our mission is twofold:

1. Allowing charities and other ethical retailers to earn more by selling their donations and products to the Global e-market
2. Providing consumers a B2C channel where they can purchase sustainable and ethical products directly from these enterprises

Our B2B platform includes a suite of eCommerce features that allow our partners to grow their sales by at least 10x.

These features include: Digital Ads, Artificial Intelligence pricing, listing products on multiple channels, top notch customer experience as well as a customized e-strategy which makes sure our partners meet their internal objectives as well as become competitive in the eCommerce world.

My Role/Impact:

- Gathering product requirements and supporting the CTO and the engineering team in the implementation.

- Working with engineering to plan sprints, write user stories, test and manage releases of product features.

- Assisted the CTO in building a scalable web-based and digital commerce Omnichannel platform as a service to manage 450 Irish charity shops with a view to expand to 1000s more when launched in UK.

- Played a key role in recruiting and managing an outsourced development team.

- Fully managed the Thriftify Multi-retailers V2 project and it's release. Key features included: order splitting functionality, B2B and B2C platform redesign, 3rd party fulfillment integration, retailer analytics, inventory management section etc.

- Assisted the Infra team in migrating the Thriftify platform to AWS due to scaling demands.

- Worked closely with the CEO to successfully secure a place in Enterprise Ireland's High Potential Start Up fund.

- Other responsibilities include supporting the CEO, Sales and Marketing teams, managing the on-boarding, training and the fulfillment processes.

Product Manager and Co Founder

SAS Data Services Ltd

- Managed the execution of innovative web and mobile applications in a whole range of different industries like eCommerce, SaaS, Security and Finance.
- Responsible for the successful execution of these projects within their scope, schedule and cost.
- Managed a geographically dispersed engineering team.
- Was the main point of contact for our customers on the technical build and design presentation/overview of solutions.
- Owned the internal resources and communication to ensure execution of projects.
- Created and maintained project plans, schedules and documentation.
- Created weekly and bi-weekly client reports on the projects.

Project Manager (Remote)

Clavis Insight

- Worked cross-functionally and cross-team to understand data challenges and lead proactive solutions for solving them.
- Implemented and communicated the technical product strategy, road-map, and execution results to partners, stakeholders, and executives.
- Continuously improved Clavis's products by making sure that the collected client feedback and requirements are successfully implemented by the internal engineering team.
- Supported the Account Teams in customer meetings by providing subject matter expertise and presenting road-maps.
- Managed successful launches of new product updates/releases and made sure that these were successfully adopted.
- Owned the full customer on-boarding cycle of Set Up, Delivery and Support.
- Responsible for the continuous success of the on-boarded clients.

Product Program Manager

Arvato @ Microsoft

Responsible for end-to-end management of one or more projects concurrently within arvato’s BPO businesses.

• Create and execute project work plans and revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements
• Manage day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope including readiness
• Review of deliverables prepared by team before passing to client
• Effective application of methodology and enforcement of project standards
• Preparation for engagement reviews and quality assurance procedures
• Responsible for minimizing arvato’s exposure and risk across projects
• Ensure project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately
• Effective execution of testing based on documented work scenarios
• Effective identification, documentation and troubleshooting of any bug found in the system
• Attend meetings with Program Managers and other global business stakeholders to review the system scenarios, tools and processes that will support the project efforts, and provide both written and verbal feedback. Discuss the feedback and assist in determining impact to the business
• Engage with the customer facing and technical teams to ensure user groups wishing to test are able to do so effectively
• Create and maintain team knowledge share with new or enhanced processes as needed
• Identify areas for improvement for the run business based on changes tested. Document said changes, and ensure run business is trained and aware of each upcoming release
• Responsible for all readiness communication, planning and execution 

Achievements:
-	Increased company’s productivity by identifying and fixing numerous system bugs
-	Completed important projects on time and within budget
-	Reduced the average handling time (10 mins) of the Operations department by coming up with efficient methods and tools
-	Gained a good understanding of Waterfall and Agile Project Management Methodologies
-	Achieved Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Project Management certification

IT Project/Readiness Manager

An Incubation Team Manager works as part of the Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) Team. Daily tasks consist of providing team leadership, managing daily operations and escalations, staffing resources, employee performance management, quality and metric reporting. Mentor team members and provide the tools to ensure exceptional customer service and billing support is delivered to all internal/external customers and partners for all assigned business streams.

• Employ strategic & tactical planning, to successfully lead the Incubation Teams in a dynamic business environment, driving improvements in KPIs, quality, and overall service delivery
• Promote teamwork across the organisation, contributing significantly to initiatives in Regional and Global Operations Centres and/or cross functional teams
• Establish objectives and goals for the team, directed towards process improvement, increased efficiency, and improved service delivery
• Create personal development plans for each team member and complete monthly 1:2:1 reviews, midyear appraisals and annual appraisals
• Anticipate the various needs, challenges and requirements facing the team and work within the leadership team to find positive & creative solutions, minimising negative impacts on business
• Promote a positive and professional environment, maximising morale, achieving results through consensus, while ensuring that all areas of responsibility are handled fairly

Achievements:
-	Delivered first class customer service to Microsoft’s customers & partners – achieving all contractual targets, including SLAs, customer satisfaction targets, and revenue processing related targets
-	Increased productivity levels within the team, worked with peers to identify & implement synergistic activities to maximise productivity across the wider organisation
-	Coached and developed talent across all layers within the organization, ensuring growth & succession opportunities for team members, maximising bench strength

Team Manager

Responsible for supporting the daily operations of the Microsoft Direct Cloud program and enhancement to the existing programs. Working closely with global and regional teams to drive customer focus and process improvement by engaging with key stakeholders, validating requests, researching outstanding items, managing SLAs and report management.

• Researching high priority inquiries and issues and ensuring their timely completion
• Coordinating work between multiple teams to ensure swift resolution of issues 
• Liaising with Microsoft program managers on multiple issues 
• Evaluating compiled data and identifying trends and improvement measures
• Documenting and analyzing business processes and making recommendations to optimize  performance
• Answering questions about services and programs, engaging with CPE leads, customers and the field. 
• Developing and sharing best practices between the team
• Recommending corrective actions to adjust customer and client complaints
• Working to anticipate client needs before they arise and presenting solutions to management
• Proactively seeking opportunities to broaden and deepen knowledge base personally and of the team
• Sharing acquired skills with team members through formal and informal channels

Achievements: 
-	Worked closely with global and regional teams to drive customer focus and process improvements by engaging with key stakeholders, validating requests, researching outstanding items, managing SLAs and report management
-	Retained accounts through the development of strong relationships with key decision makers
-	Improved the team’s performance by reviewing/re-writing the internal business processes

Senior Escalations Specialist (Online Business Operations)

• Microsoft Dynamic CRM Support @ Microsoft - EMEA Region
• Providing excellent technical support to customers while maintaining a high level of
  customer care and keeping the customer informed about progress of case resolution.
• Maintaining clear, concise and friendly communication with customers and other internal
  teams at all times.
• Escalating issues that cannot be resolved at Line1 level within the established SLAs and providing  the second level support teams with all the information collected during the troubleshooting steps. 
• Ensuring defined escalation process is adhered to.
• Engaging management in case of Major Incidents
• Assisting with detection of possible Problems and working with manager for the assignment to the  Problem Management team.
• Case logging and prioritization, analysis and troubleshooting of issues, following pre-established  policies and procedures including documentation of troubleshooting steps.
• Responding to e-mail and phone inquiries from internal and external customers.
• Responsible for maintaining service levels with customer activities based on issue priority.
• Tracking open incident and service request records and reviewing open incidents for status.
• Reviewing incident priority and determining if the priority needs to be adjusted (aging).
• Proactively follow-up with customers and other support teams to ensure cases are resolved
  within SLA.

Achievements: 
-	Provided excellent technical support to customer while maintaining a high level of customer care
-	Built strong collaboration with the engineering team while troubleshooting system bugs
-	Awarded a ‘Kudos’ (recognition program) to acknowledge my excellent performance within the Team
-	Optimized the team’s SharePoint to make it more accurate and easier to navigate

Line 1 Technical Support (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

• Responsible for providing excellent customer service through effective and timely order entry for all  MS Dynamics products like Navision, Axapta, Great Plains & CRM
• Validation and processing of orders for new licenses, upgrades and enhancement
• Ensuring service level commitments are achieved and exceeded, working with peers, my manager  and internal departments to achieve same
• Resolving customer queries by email (average 30 cases per day), telephone (10 calls per day) or  Chat Now (20 per day)
• Proactively ensuring that the team adheres to the correct processes and procedures when  processing transactions
• Contributing towards developing team initiatives to enable the team to work more efficiently and  effectively
• Working towards targets daily and monthly i.e. closing a min. of 5 cases per day, max. of 48 hours  to close a case and clearing all revenue by month’s end

Achievements:
-	Acquired and on-boarded numerous new clients
-	Gained expertise knowledge of program post-implementation, while assisting and supporting customers
-	Maintained ongoing and professional relationships with regional sales personnel resulting in successful sales and client-centric service on a regional level
-	Regularly over-achieved targets

Russian Account Manager

• Logging and entering data onto in-house systems
• High volume data management
• Data validating
• Working effectively as part of a team to achieve a common goal
• Working efficiently and consistently in a pressurized environment
• Adaptability and flexibility to work extended hours if required

Seasonal Administrator

Associate Mobile

• Assisting marketing department in generating new customer leads
• Researching the Russian market and finding new partners for the company
• Localization of the company’s website
• Updating the blogs

Marketing Intern

Schneidereit GmbH & Co.

• Supporting customers with their quires
• Using cold calling technique
• Informing customers of company’s promotions and discounts
• Being part of a team in a Call Center

Customer Service Representative

Live Time Limited

• Planning, Organising, Leading and Controlling
• Travelling to China and dealing with local distributors
• Acquiring new customers and retaining the existing ones

Director/Owner

Buying property in the Mediterranean as a foreigner is filled with challenges most people don't see coming. I believe access to your dream home shouldn't be one of them.

I am an Exclusive Buyer's Representative and the Founder of AffordiHome, specializing in guiding foreign buyers through the complexities of the Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and French property markets.

My focus is on uncovering the "non-obvious truths" - the hidden gems, the market dynamics, and the negotiation strategies that make the difference between a good investment and a great one. My process is built on a foundation of rigorous due diligence, on-the-ground sourcing, and transparent market analysis.

Before dedicating myself to real estate, I spent over 7 years co-founding and scaling the eCommerce platform Thriftify. I now apply that same data-driven, first-principles approach to the traditional world of property, cutting through the noise to find opportunities that others miss.

I work with:

- Investors seeking unique, high-potential properties.

- Families looking for the perfect holiday home.

- Expats and professionals planning a life-changing move to the Med.

Whether you're just starting to explore or ready to make a move, let's connect.

I think I just found the best value villa with Lake Como views on the market.

€395k ($458k), 5 bedrooms, detached, garden with mountain and lake views.

11 minutes from Varenna where similar properties are listed at €900k+.

When I sent this to a few clients who've been searching for Lake Como properties, the first response was: 'Are you sure about the location? That price doesn't make sense for Lake Como.'

I triple-checked and spoke with the agent this morning. It's real.

Here's what €395k gets you in Gittana:

- 285m² (3,066 sq ft) across 2 floors
- 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- 420m² private garden with those views
- First floor balcony overlooking the lake
- Basement storage + attic space

The location: Gittana sits in the hills above Lake Como's eastern shore, about 11 minutes from Varenna's train station and ferry terminal. About 1h 30min to Milan and Malpensa airport.

Most buyers pay €900k+ to be IN Varenna. This is €395k to be 11 minutes away with the same views. That's the entire price difference.

You can apply for a short-term rental license, and the property can be fractioned - live in part, rent out the rest.

Properties like this in overlooked Lake Como villages get interest quickly from buyers who understand that arbitrage.

If you're seriously looking at Lake Como and want to understand what's actually available vs. what gets marketed, my DMs are open. Also if you are interested in similar properties not just in Italy but also Spain, Portugal and France feel free to give me a follow Timur Negru.

Exclusive Buyer’s Representative for Mediterranean Property | Spain, Italy, Portugal & France | I work FOR buyers, not sellers | Founder of AffordiHome

Two months ago an American bought an entire Spanish village for €310k.

Earlier this week I was on a call with an entrepreneur building a 330-home regenerative community on 130 hectares in Portugal. Next he wants Italy, with Abruzzo, Tuscany, or Umbria on his radar. Minimum 100 hectares, same model.

This isn't about restoring abandoned villages anymore. It's about building entirely new communities from scratch. Organic farms, wellness institutes, schools, medical centres - everything needed for a multi-generational village seeking purpose, slower pace, and connection to land.

Local governments are actually supportive of these projects. Makes sense when you think about it, as they're not dealing with developers building commercial luxury resorts. These are actual communities being built in depopulated rural areas with real people, real jobs, real schools.

The scale is also different. We're talking 100+ hectares, hundreds of homes, full infrastructure. The capital requirements are way bigger of course, but so is the potential impact. One project like this could revitalize an entire region.

I posted about this model on X right after my call and it got 150,000+ views. Received a ton of comments and DMs from people asking how to invest, where to buy, when the next one opens. The demand is real and it's happening now.

Gen Z and Millennials make up 61% of outdoor recreation travelers. They spend twice what Boomers spend. Remote work gave them freedom. They want quarterly off-sites that aren't generic hotels. They want to raise kids somewhere with space, clean air, and community. And they're willing to buy into it.

Remember when I said 2026 would be the year abandoned villages get new life? That's still happening. But it's already evolving into something bigger - purpose-built regenerative communities. New villages, not just restored ones.
Foreign investors and developers are interested in this space, rural governments are open to conversation, and travelers want authentic experiences.

Everyone wins in my opinion. But of course it's important this is done the right way, with the local communities in mind at every single step.

While investors are buying Valencia apartments, someone just locked in a 40-year exclusive concession to operate glamping on Lake Anna (first pic.), about 60km from the city.

Spain hasn't been granting many of these recently, and this one gives them exclusive operating rights for Lake Anna for 40 years. They're raising €1.5M and a few people from my network have already had calls with them, so I figured I'd share it publicly.

Glamping sites near Valencia are hitting 92% occupancy in high season and the market is growing at 12.8% annually, while investment funds like Kampaoh, Stoneweg, and Azora are actively buying these assets across Spain. But supply is constrained because Spain rarely grants these concessions anymore.

The project includes 8 premium mobile homes built from shipping containers, 120 glamping tents, and 20 motorhome plots, and it's backed by Balneario de Cofrentes - Europe's largest longevity clinic which already operates a 250-room hotel complex nearby.

The location works because National Geographic called Anna "the secret Switzerland of Valencia" and the area has a lagoon, waterfalls, and hiking trails, so tourism is already proven. Their competitive edge is air conditioning in every single unit, and almost no glamping competitors in Spain offer this, which extends the season beyond summer and justifies premium pricing.

This is different from buying Valencia property - instead of betting on appreciation, you're buying 40 years of exclusive operating rights in a market that's already at 92% occupancy.

Minimum investment is €100K. If you want the business plan and financials, DM me and I'll connect you with Juan Luis who's running the raise.

taplio

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Peter Kulcsár Szabó

Timur Negru

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taplio

The Battle

Peter Kulcsár Szabó

Timur Negru

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Timur Negru's LinkedIn Performance

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