Member Spotlight – Joseph Yiasemides

Joseph Yiasemides looks for elegant solutions to hard problems, and his tool of choice is software. He started his career here in Kraków, in person, and has contracted remotely for clients across the US and Europe ever since that first job.

Ask him to explain what he actually does, and he keeps it simple: “Have you ever had a ‘wow’ moment on the computer? That’s what I come to work aiming for every day.”

Twelve years in Kraków

What first brought Joseph to the city was a programming job on Szpitalna, in person, opposite the Słowacki Theatre. More than twelve years later he’s still here, and still fond of the commute. “The walk through the old town is something I still enjoy,” he says.

Finding Yolk

Joseph’s route to Yolk is, in his own words, “a great story.” He spent most of the period after lockdown working from the family apartment. Then came three months abroad, where he found a great space to work from and a promenade walk every morning, and it made something clear: he needed a better space of his own back in Kraków.

“When we got back home, I paid Yolk a visit. I knew it was the right place for me straight away.” What made him stay is simple: “Yolk is welcoming, members are conversational, and it’s in the center of town.”

The people

Community is a big part of it. Joseph says he’s met plenty of people at Yolk who have helped him, both personally and professionally, and a few he counts as kindred spirits, among them Giovanni, Marcin and Russel. Have those conversations led somewhere unexpected? “They must have, more than once, I’m sure.”

Off the clock

When he’s not working, you’ll find Joseph taking the kids to the park, “rain or shine, unless it’s heavy rain.” His current obsession is a personal hyper-text system, a tool for thought he’s been building for a while. “It works wonderfully for me!”

There’s a good chance you’ve seen a piece of him at Yolk without realising it: “The cargo-bike out front is mine.”

For a break from the city he heads to Las Wolski, “great to be able to retreat from town into the greenery.” And if he’s showing a first-time visitor around Kraków, he’ll take them to the rooftop terrace at the Music Academy.

Quick-fire

• ClubHouse or the quiet floor? ClubHouse.
• Headphones on or conversation first? Conversation first, for sure.
• Best lunch near Yolk? Kathi Curry.
• One person at Yolk everyone should talk to? Allison.