Hiii there! I’m driving with FLINTAXI :-)

Maybe it actually started much earlier... the first time I watched *Night on Earth* and somehow found myself relating to Corky. XD But honestly, it all came down to a bunch of different reasons.

Until recently, I only knew taxis from the other side — sitting in the back seat. After hearing about uncomfortable experiences from friends, and having a few myself, becoming the driver instead of the passenger suddenly felt like the most natural answer. So I decided to get my taxi license.

At the same time, I needed a job that actually meant something to me. During university I couldn't really picture myself doing another random student job just to pay the rent. To me, those jobs often felt like wasting time. I wanted to do something that mattered. Something that felt meaningful. Something where I could work a night shift and, at the same time, help mostly FLINTA* people feel safer on their way home—or wherever they're going.

The idea isn't to exclude anyone.

It's simply about offering an alternative for people who experience fear or uncertainty when taking a taxi home.

A taxi can be such a strange place. For a short moment, it's this little bubble where two strangers share the same space. Sometimes that feels completely normal. Sometimes it doesn't. And then, as soon as you step out, that little world disappears again.

What also impressed me was everything Sima built almost entirely on her own—and, of course, Stephan, who developed the whole platform from scratch and is already working on the native apps. Seeing how much passion and work went into FLINTAXI made me incredibly happy to become the very first Driver and part of the team.

I'll admit, though... for a brief moment I thought:

Wait... I actually have no idea how any of this works.

And I don't just mean taxi regulations or safety procedures.

The car itself had so many buttons and features. Modern? Absolutely. Slightly overwhelming? Also yes.

Honestly, I wasn't even sure what half of those buttons were for.

Before my very first ride I was surprisingly nervous. I don't even know why—it honestly felt a bit like taking my driving test all over again.

And yes...

On my very first pickup I completely forgot which button unlocks the doors from the outside so the passenger could actually get into the car.

Luckily, she laughed.

(I think she found it pretty funny. XD)

And in that exact moment I suddenly remembered why I was sitting behind that steering wheel in the first place.

Something changed.

I stopped thinking about all the buttons.

I stopped worrying about making everything perfect.

Instead, I focused on the person sitting behind me and on getting them safely to their destination.

By the third day...

...I had **almost** figured everything out.

**SO... everything's pretty relaxed now. :-)