This September, we gathered a select group of creative leaders for our first residency weekend. Just 90 minutes from Rome, a historic countryside property became our home for four days of learning, sharing, and building meaningful connections.
Learning from Industry Leaders
The weekend kicked off with Hector Esrawe, whose creative ventures span from Mexico City's nomadic gallery MASA to Studio EWE and Xinú Perfumes. His candid insights on collaboration across disciplines offered practical takeaways for everyone in the room, from studio founders to independent creatives.
As day turned to evening, we shifted focus to emerging opportunities in the digital space. Yorgos Tsampounaris showed how his company 70% Water transforms natural landscapes into virtual experiences, sparking discussions about new technology and cultural preservation. The night concluded with an intimate music performance by the pool, extending our dialogue into the early hours.
Real Insights for Creative Growth
Each day blended structured learning with space for organic connection. Impact entrepreneur Veronica D'Souza broke down how she builds compelling narratives that drive actual change. Bianca Ambrosini from Best Nights VC gave an insider's view on what creative venture capital looks like in 2025, sharing specific criteria that investors look for. Marty Bell walked us through how he turned Poolsuite from a passion project into a viral success, sharing insights of community-driven growth with one of his latest ventures Vacation Inc.
Between talks, we experimented with new skills—from 3D scanning in nature to collective problem-solving sessions. Our dining experiences, from garden-side cooking to exploring local trattorias, became catalysts for unexpected creative alliances.
The Power of Peer Advisory
The peer-to-peer coaching emerged as a vital element of the residency experience. In these focused sessions, participants shared their current challenges and unrealized projects with the group. These collaborative exchanges helped participants navigate specific challenges in their ventures while showing new pathways for growth. The format proved especially valuable for those at pivotal moments in their creative journey, offering both strategic direction and practical solutions.
What Participants Gained
The format proved powerful: four days of focused time with like-minded professionals led to:
- New collaboration opportunities between participants
- Fresh perspectives on building and scaling creative ventures
- A trusted circle of peers to connect with beyond the weekend
- Space for self-led work in an inspiring setting
The residency embodied our core belief: when given the right space—both physical and mental—fewer, more profound interactions yield deeper results. Over these four days, we witnessed how carefully curated moments of exchange can spark lasting impact.
NeueHaus hosts curated experiences throughout the year for our community of expert freelancers, creative leaders and entrepreneurs. For information about membership and future events, contact us at [email protected]
All analogue images are taken by Elisa Flores Weiss.
