September 4, 2019 - A star-studded lineup of Croatian entrepreneurial excellence will assemble in Zagreb on September 12 for the first Entrepreneurial Mindset conference. TCN has kicked off a new series meeting the speakers of the conference. First up, meet Kristina Ercegovic - an entrepreneur, writer, and professor of entrepreneurship.
1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel being an entrepreneur here, and how did you decide to embark on this road less travelled?
Do what I do, and that is surround yourself with entrepreneurs who think like you and support you, and just act and follow your vision, purpose and path. It feels great.
I started my first business at the age of 26 out of passion, for which I quit my well-paying job at the largest pharma company. It was the best decision of my life. Being your boss is priceless. Since then I started two more companies and many projects, sold two out of three companies, am writing my 6th book now and teaching entrepreneurship at two universities. I am trying to do my part in making Croatia a great place to live and do business in and help everyone I meet on my way.
2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?
When I ask my students, they still think entrepreneurs are thieves and they name one guy as an example.
We need to clearly communicate that more than 90% of all businesses are micro and small and that they are the basis of economy and society. We also need to send a message that these people are heroes. Paying yourself a salary and hiring one or ten more people that is an example to follow, that is a healthy role model, that is someone we should admire. We need to redefine our values as a society.
3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial experience so far in Croatia - the highlights, the lows, the successes, and the failures.
Highlights – establishing the first mystery shopping agency in the Balkans, selling it after 10 years, writing 5 books, 2 being bestsellers, establishing and running Business cafe events for 9 years and in 7 countries using franchise, receiving many rewards and recognitions, but the biggest one being a great number of people starting and succeeding in business because of everything I do. Blogs, books, events... My biggest success is my sense of inner fulfillment.
I failed in everything you can imagine – choosing the wrong people for franchising, several times, failing to manage my money efficiently, trusting people too much, undercharging, starting to do something without a written agreement, giving too much to clients, failing to lead employees properly, burning out, letting personal relationships and friendships fall apart. You name it I experienced it. But I live my life according to my rules, no regrets. Would do it all over again. It was a fun ride until now, and I am sure it will only get better.
4. What are your hopes for the conference and why did you decide to accept the invitation to speak?
Just being among “your people” - 300 people with same energy goals and intentions, just to be a part of that magic – I am so grateful for the opportunity - and you don’t miss this. This is the best part of Croatia, in the same room at the same time.
I am happy to moderate the panel titled 'there is no success without failure'. I intend to show we all go through the same challenges, and it is about what we learn from our mistakes and how quickly we recover from failures and continue.
5. Tell us a little about your own entrepreneurial mindset.
When I encounter a problem, I am focused on finding a solution for the good of everyone involved. I don’t take anything personally. I know mistakes are inevitable and just a learning experience. I know running a business is a tool for our growth and it is always about us, what can we learn and how can we grow. I know we never have enough resources, money, time, people - it is just a matter of doing the best you can with those you have. I am very resilient – I take little time to recover and just stand up after falling down and continue to go. And most important I know everything happens for a reason FOR us and not TO us. And I know the most important thing is to BE then DO then HAVE is a result. It is who we are and not what we achieve – it is about the journey, not the destination.
6. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?
I am doing my part by regularly writing blogs, books, holding Business cafe events and teaching entrepreneurship at two universities.
We need to show and talk about good examples and entrepreneurial stories in the media because people need role models they can identify with. If they don’t see something is possible, they will not want it themselves.
We need to have events like this and lead by example. Teach our kids from kindergarten that entrepreneurship is also an option, not online firefighters and police officers. It will take time. But I am optimistic.
7. What advice would you have for someone in Croatia thinking about taking the entrepreneurial route?
Stop thinking, start doing. No excuses. Just go ahead and do it.
8. Andrija Colak once told me that the best thing about doing business in Croatia is that if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world. Do you agree, and why is it so hard to do business in Croatia?
Definitely. I sometimes joke that half of the world’s most successful companies would fail if it started here.
Lack of capital, high taxes not properly used, laws not being stable and always changing, taxes are also always changing and getting complicated, injustice, nepotism, lack of entrepreneurial mindset, not wanting to take a risk fear of failure, undervaluing ourselves, etc. But in one sentence we need a brave leader – we all know what needs to be done – we need just one person in a key position to actually do it and that is to cut the number of uhljebs drastically and lead Croatia to a better future we all want and deserve.
9. How do you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and what changes have you noticed in the last ten years?
Since I started 17 years ago, there are many events now, many incentives, everything is more available now, information, capital, people to support you, it is no longer strange to start your own business. It is getting better in all directions.
10. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.
• Drastically simplify procedures
• Stable, clear, and fair tax system
• Courts actually solving cases and doing it quickly
You can learn more about the conference and how to attend via the Casopis Poduzetnik Facebook page.
To read more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
