September 8, 2019 - Continuing our look at the speakers for next week's inaugural Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb next week Next up, Biovega CEO, Jadranka Boban Pejic.
It quickly sold out and there is a waiting list of hundreds should tickets become available. Next week's Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb is the first of its kind in Croatia, and it includes a top draw list of speakers, several of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. TCN will be covering the event and we continue our series interviewing some of the key speakers. Our latest guest is Jadranka Boban Pejic, CEO of Biovega.
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?
Lack of support is a challenge but through the years of experience we have learned how to lean on each other (partners) and how to be flexible and how to adjust to constant changes in structure, laws etc. A strong desire to have a positive impact and to make a difference was the main driving factor when we started our organic food company.
2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?
We have to learn to accept business and life here as a process and to look into the future with more patience and positive approach.
3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial experience so far in Croatia - the highlights, the lows, the successes and the failures.
It is not easy to put almost 30 years of experience into one or two sentences but I learned a lot through all my experiences. The fact that we are existing on the market is a success in itself and that we have a lot of loyal customers and a fantastic team of employees is a highlight. All so-called failures are part of the education and evolution along the way, and no one can avoid them. Of course, there is a lot of frustration coming from slow and ineffective administration, as well as pressure from high taxes.
4. What are your hopes for the conference and why did you decide to accept the invitation to speak?
My personal mission is to inspire others so if I can inspire someone with my experience and energy that would be great. Some of the participants have been a huge inspiration to me too.
5. Tell us a little about your own entrepreneurial mindset.
I like to think that we are here with a purpose and that our responsibility is to work with integrity, commitment and empathy so that we can improve the quality of life of everyone included in our business adventure.
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?
Education from an early age.
7. What advice would you have for someone in Croatia thinking about taking the entrepreneurial route?
Believe in yourself because that is the most important thing that you have.
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?
Yes, I do agree. The perception of business and business people is very negative and there are not enough efforts to change that perception from the ruling structures.
9. How do you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and what changes have you noticed in the last ten years?
Lots of new young, brave, smart and creative people are taking the lead in some industries and that is a huge hope for the future.
10. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.
a) As we are here to serve society so is the government structure should be to serve us.
b) Education has to be adjusted to modern times and needs.
c) Transparency in institutions and less bureaucracy.
More info on the conference can be found at www.poduzetnickimindset.biz and FB Casopis poduzetnik.
For more information about the healthy world of Biovega, visit the official Biovega website.
