The Sales Guy Who Went Off Script: Meet our CSO
Some people follow a straight line. Michał Ptasznik, our Chief Sales Officer, is not one of them. His story winds through football fields, car showrooms, Himalayan roads, and tropical beaches. It’s a journey fueled by curiosity, courage, and the refusal to settle for a life that doesn’t feel truly lived.
Warsaw Nights, Football Dreams, and Car Deals
In his early twenties, Michał worked nights at a popular spot in Warsaw – slinging drinks and soaking up conversations. But his real passion was football. As a scout for one of Poland’s major football clubs, he searched for young talent – an experience that shaped his instinct for spotting potential.
Soon, Michał transitioned into the automotive industry. He worked at both Toyota and Porsche, climbing from a yard assistant to a top fleet sales advisor, helping corporations across Europe build and finance vehicle fleets. He was very successful – but he felt the golden cage closing in. “Corporate life from 9 to 5 just didn’t cut it for me. I needed more freedom – and projects that truly inspired me,” he says. But during that time, something important happened – Michał crossed paths with Marek Zmysłowski and helped him close a tricky Porsche deal. That small act of professionalism sparked a long-lost connection that rekindled at just the right moment.
Wanderlust and Wildcards
Born into a family of travelers, Michał had the road in his DNA. After burning out professionally, he knew he needed a reset – so he set off to India for a year. He rode 5,000 kilometers on a motorbike, another 5,000 by train, taught English to kids, and explored psychology, philosophy, and kundalini yoga – a year of growth that quietly rebuilt him.
Then came the pandemic – with its challenges, but also new opportunities in remote work. Michał launched his own remote car sales company for VIP clients across Europe, blending work with a nomadic lifestyle. Then, out of the blue – years after their brief encounter – Marek reappeared in Michał’s inbox with an invitation to Samaná. The Dominican Republic, one of few open borders at the time, became the gateway to something much bigger…
A New Chapter in a New World
Marek welcomed Michał into his home and introduced him to the early Samana Group community, showing him the peninsula and its potential. The vision of a private city filled with purpose-driven people clicked instantly. Michał saw something he hadn’t found in Asia or Africa: depth, community, and a project aligned with his values and ambitions.
“My life journey brought me here at the right moment. I want to live freely, grow, stay self-aware, and build something big – something that matters and has real values at its core. That’s why I joined Samana Group.”
He started by joining as a capital investor during the first fundraising round, helping raise capital and attract others to the project. After a year of close collaboration, he decided to move to Samaná for the winter season – and fell for the place completely. He became our first full-time sales lead, architecting our sales department from scratch. Today, he leads the entire commercial side of the business.
Scaling with Substance
As CSO, Michał isn’t just closing deals. He builds systems, trains teams, negotiates contracts, and shapes the investor experience. He also helped create our digital Flat House Configurator, bringing his automotive industry expertise into play – after all, it was the world of online car configurators that first inspired this tool. One of his proudest moments? Securing a B2B deal with Diagnostyka, Poland’s largest medical testing firm – our biggest B2B client to date.
He has a knack for bridging big ideas with real-world execution. So when one of our investors – a superyacht captain – began exploring the potential of launching a sailing business in Samaná, Michał naturally got involved. That collaboration turned into something much bigger. After months of talks and a memorable Atlantic crossing together on a catamaran, Michał officially became co-owner of Samana Yachts.
The Deal Closer Who Reads Jung
Michał is a bit of a modern renaissance man. On one hand, he’s a numbers guy – a strategist, an operator, a closer. On the other, he’s deeply curious about the human mind, philosophy, ancient history, and Jungian dream analysis. He quickly picks up new passions – and during contract negotiations, he found himself fascinated by legal frameworks. Today, he’s preparing to study international law remotely at the University of London. His long-term dream? To work in diplomacy or international relations, combining his strategic thinking with a commitment to building bridges.
For now, he brings that same mix of clarity and curiosity to Samana Group. You’ll find him kicking a football on the beach, leading adventure tours, or hosting investor meetings – always grounded, always engaged.
We’re lucky to have him onboard. And if you ever get the chance to sail with him, ask about India. Just make sure you have time for a good story.