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From Struggles to Success: Raphael Krieb's Journey into IT and Entrepreneurship

Childhood Aspirations and Early Struggles

As a kid, all Raphael Krieb wanted was a high-performing gaming PC and a stable internet connection. Unfortunately, he had to struggle with a poor internet line, high ping, and a computer that couldn't run games properly. This forced him to learn the basics about computers and networks. Despite knowing exactly what he needed, he didn't have the money to get it. He scrounged for old PC components, bought an SSD and peripherals, and luckily, got his friend’s old graphics card when it was upgraded. After struggling to put these parts together, he finally had a setup that was barely enough to enjoy his video games.

High School and the Birth of Programming Skills

During high school, Raphael's time for video games dwindled, but he still wanted to unlock specific achievements in an online game that required extensive playtime. This is when he started writing his first programs to unlock those achievements. He let his PC run with his program while he was at school, and soon, he had the achievements he wanted. When a friend noticed the achievements on his account, he offered to buy it. Raphael didn’t sell, but he realized then that skills could have high value. It became crystal clear that he wanted to work in the IT field.

Early Work Experience and Persistent Efforts

After school, Raphael worked on an assembly line for a year, gaining valuable insights from hard work—standing in water with wet feet, sweating as water dripped from his nose. He used the money he earned and his free time to invest in IT knowledge and skills. He applied to many apprenticeships and persisted until he secured a slot. It took a year, but he finally got an apprenticeship in a large corporation in the certification and inspection business.

Gaining Invaluable Experience

During his apprenticeship, Raphael gained invaluable experience. He was very thankful for this early opportunity in his career. His apprenticeship allowed him to travel within Europe and Switzerland, providing IT services and managing projects of all kinds. From training onsite staff on imaging computers to handling complex branch relocations and integrating them into the corporate network, he did it all. In his free time, he watched movies and read books related to IT, like Kevin Mitnick’s works and guides on ethical hacking. He also acquired numerous IT-related certifications.

Starting His Own Business

Within the first two years of his apprenticeship, Raphael knew he didn’t want to work for an employer for 45+ years. This drove him to start his own business. Attracted by the idea of passive income, he ventured into the E-Commerce industry in 2017. Despite having no prior experience, he managed to grow his business to over €100,000 in revenue within the first 12 months, all while still in his apprenticeship. Overcoming many obstacles, he gained incredibly valuable experience and, after completing his apprenticeship in mid-2018, focused on his business full-time.

Realizations and a Return to IT

As he poured effort into his business and hired his first employees, Raphael realized it wouldn’t become the passive income stream he had hoped for. Managing an international business from Germany was a challenge. By the end of 2019, he started to miss working in IT. He began freelancing and quickly landed his first project. With his skills and knowledge, he found the work straightforward. However, the client only allowed remote work one day a week, which he found inefficient and frustrating.

The Impact of COVID-19 and a Shift in Focus

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Supplier prices skyrocketed, making Raphael’s E-Commerce business a nightmare. He underestimated the pandemic's duration, but remote work became the norm, establishing his second income stream. His client’s company also struggled, cutting his hours. As remote work became more accepted, he took a fully remote job with an IT service provider. He then decided to focus entirely on his IT business.

A New Beginning in Cyprus

Germany’s environment was unfriendly to small business owners, so Raphael looked for alternatives. Attracted by Cyprus’s favorable climate and conditions for entrepreneurs, he knew he had to relocate there. After a week-long visit, he returned with a specific goal: to initiate his relocation. Moving with his family to Cyprus was emotionally challenging as he left his E-Commerce business behind. However, this move gave birth to Altnitro, with a renewed focus and determination.

Raphael Krieb's journey from a kid struggling with a subpar gaming setup to an entrepreneur in Cyprus shows that persistence, skill development, and the willingness to adapt can lead to success.