About (this Website)

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

Why This Blog?

Early in 2023, I discovered the power of podcasts. My favorite topics were self-development, technology, news, and AI. After countless hours of listening, I noticed that the same insights kept coming back, each time in a slightly different form.

That repetition got me thinking: How do you hold onto what matters? How do you shape ideas? That’s how In-Via came to be, a place to organize my thoughts, revisit ideas, and shape them into something I truly believe in. This blog is, above all, a personal archive. But if you stumble upon it, I hope you take something valuable with you.

On September 27, 2024, I became a grandfather to Hazel. That got me thinking about what I leave behind. Money is fleeting, memories fade fast. But words endure. Wouldn “t it be amazing to read your father” s or mother “s thoughts? To see how they viewed the world, what their hopes and disappointments were? Today, we can even go further with audio and video. Maybe that” s the real reason to blog—not for likes, but for the few people who will truly care. Starting with Hazel.

How?

I began with my own website, switched to Blogger for simplicity, and eventually returned to WordPress. The technology wasn’t the goal—writing was.

What?

This blog revolves around a few main themes:

  • In-Via (On the Journey): growth, vision, experience, life philosophy, self-development, habits, goal-setting, and perseverance. Books fall under this, and perhaps even sports—because, in the end, we’re all on a journey to… tomorrow.
  • Sports: As someone who didn’t grow up sporty, staying active is a conscious choice.
  • Work: Insights, ideas, and experiences from my professional life (including www.gsb.be).
  • Autumn 2024 – Hazel: Hazel’s birth makes me aware of words as a legacy.

With In-Via, I create a place to organize my ideas and inspire others who, like me, are eager to learn and grow.

In-Via is my own online space where I organize thoughts about hospitality, customer experience, personal development, and life philosophy. With experience in short-term rentals, computer sales, and more, I write about guest interactions, customer service, and the small details that make a difference. My blog blends personal experiences with humor and inspiration from books and podcasts.

You’ll also find a collection of topics here that can enrich your life: personal development, philosophy and spirituality, work and productivity, health and wellness, relationships and communication, and finance and the psychology of money.

In-Via grows naturally, step by step. I jot down what moves me: insights that stir something in me, moments I don’t want to forget, ideas I want to share, perspectives from my experience, and lessons that change how I see the world.

Today (early 2025), for example, it’s about:

  • The cancer in my body. How I deal with it, its course, therapy, consequences (prostatectomy).
  • Our recent trip to India (honeymoon & traffic).
  • A cool little book I found in India called Get Shit Done that inspires these pieces (Fighting Big Tech).
  • Being a fan of Derek Sivers (Sum).
  • My professional work (short-term rentals) (Jenny, Hakuna Matata, link).

All this without a clear purpose right now, except maybe this (about).

About (Me) Personal

inspiration: https://sive.rs/

1960 April: born as oldest of 4 sons

1989 20 11: Saskia is born

1991 05 25: Barbara is born

2022 11 05: Proposed to Miranda (she said YES)

2024 04 13: Married to Miranda | link |

2024 09 27: Hazel, my granddaughter is born

2024 12 25: Honeymoon to Kerala | link |

About (Me) Professional

1982: Founded Istari bvba

1984: Moved to Mechelen

1990: Istari | Atari dealer of the Year @ Milan (Italy)

1994: ZEB Electronics | share acquisition

2017: Activities from ZEB Electronics sold to Electromic

2024: ZEB Electronics liquidation | End of an era