Drugi jezik na kojem je dostupan ovaj članak: Bosnian
The most popular gathering of small entrepreneurs, Business Café, returned to Istria, and after nine months of break was held for the eighth time in Pula, on September 20 at 18h at the Ribarska Koliba restaurant.
The main guests were Kristina Ercegović, founder of the Business Café and owner of Zaokret company from Zagreb, Gordana Deranja, CEO of Tehnomont, the first woman at the head of the Croatian Employers Association (CEA) and the president of the Association of Business Women Krug of Istria County, Darko Špelić, innovator, winner of numerous awards at various international exhibitions and owner of Prestige company, and Valter Rocha, successful and talented young actor, who began his successful road in the Istrian National Theatre, and now performs in many cities throughout Croatia.
At the beginning of the event, on behalf of the general sponsor, guests were addressed by the President of HGK Pula, Jasna Jaklin Majetić, and on behalf of Pula’s Mayor Aleksandar Matić. A small surprise for the guests during the opening was prepared by the Dance Studio Fabris and Rosemarie, with a performance of salsa and bachata.
Moderator of the event and the bearer of the license of Business Café for Istria Kristina Bulešić asked her first guest, Kristina Ercegović, a series of inspiring questions, and the answers were truly motivating. The main messages were: “You must put yourself in the first place, ahead of the job, because that’s the only way that you’ll be happy and really feel and experience the freedom in which you will enjoy!” Ercegović also noted two main messages of Business Café:
- WE ARE NOT ALONE – when we start and manage our own business, we all go through the same ups and downs
- IT’S POSSIBLE TO SUCCEED NOW AND HERE despite everything and everyone, as is repeatedly proven by the stories of Business Café guests.
Kristina also presented a reward for one of the guests, a free one night stay in an apartment for two, from the Borghese tours Ltd.
The story was continued by Gordana Deranja who was asked what provides her the most job satisfaction, to which she replied: “I love my work environment, I love my team! The charm of the business is not to falter and give up – not to have a moment where you wonder ‘do I really need this’. Allow yourself to be guided by the goal, vision and motivation that you need to accomplish.” When asked if she would change something if she could turn back time and start her career all over again, she answered that she wouldn’t change anything, and is happy with all the choices she made. She also spoke about a list of requirements that the CEA will have for the new government of Croatia. Gordana Deranja also made someone happy with a free education in writing EU projects with the Optimus Consulting Ltd.
Stage was then taken by Darko Špelić, well-known innovator from Pula and a man with years of experience in practice. He described how he started his business, came up with the idea and why he produces fragrances for cars. Špelić also gave advice for young entrepreneurs: “Entrepreneurship is not an overnight success, so don’t go into it if you expect to get rich in a short time. You will earn some money, but don’t go running to buy a new car with the first profits.” He jokingly said that the real earnings come after 10 years, suddenly one morning, and continued: “If you really think you will love these 10 years of working 24/7, doing what you love, then go into entrepreneurship because then you are ready for anything. There’s money enough for everyone, believe me, you just have to pick them up from the floor.” For success it is best to surround yourself with people smarter than you or as smart as you are, because only then you can learn something. “When you find such people, success is guaranteed. Entrepreneurship is like an EKG, going up and down, up and down. It’s when it goes flat line that you need to be worried,” said Darko, who at the end of his presentation awarded a free day of car use in economy class, courtesy of Borghese Tours.
Then followed discussion with Walter Rocha, a young talented actor whose role models are his parents who provided everything for him, without referring exclusively to material things. Valter quickly prepares and steps into character of the role required of him, and is very happy that already as a young man he discovered his talent and fulfilled a part of his dreams. He believes that he will achieve all his other goals as well through life. At the end, he made a brief presentation on the topic related to women and entrepreneurship as folly. He sent the main message: The most important thing for success is to be happy!! Valter also presented a gift for one of the guests, a month of free Mental fitness by Kristina Bulešić.
After talking with the guests, Kristina Ercegović invited 7 people from the audience and asked them to get to know groups of people in the audience, and thus kick-started networking part of the event. Prizes from numerous sponsors were presented, and the socializing and networking continued late into the night, under guidance of Kristina Bulešić. Along with free coffee, guests were given bags with promotional materials and gifts from Zagrebačka banka.
Over the last 10 days, Business Café events were held in Sarajevo, Koprivnica, Croatia and Belgrade, and will soon continue with Zagreb, Novi Sad, Skopje, Šibenik and Varaždin. Next Business Café in Pula will be held in two months.
Along with events in Zagreb and Belgrade, Business Café spread through sale of licenses to Slovenia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Vojvodina and the rest of Croatia. So far more than 100 events were held in 6 countries, with presentations of more than 300 entrepreneurial stories, and more than 10,000 visitors, who have generated €10m worth of jobs so far.
All details about the project are available at www.businesscafe.info
License owner for Istria: Inspiracija Ltd., Kristina Bulešić
General sponsor: Croatian Chamber of Commerce Pula
Sponsors of Business Café in Pula: Silvano Ivaninić, Savjet mladih Grada Pule, Zagrebačka banka, Le Beauty Mansion (make up), Style 4 U (hairstyle), Butique Irena (wardrobe), Borghese tours Ltd., Little Company Design, Marina Puh (photographer), Faculty of Economy and Tourism “Dr. Mijo Mirković”, Hair salon Studio S, Profi Lingua, S Fitness, Nada Rokov, Diana Kiršić Rosanda.
Location sponsor of Business Café in Pula in 2016.: Restaurant Ribarska Koliba
Partners of Business Café in Pula: Optimus Consulting Ltd., Kristina Rabar, Nada Katić
National media sponsor of Business Café: Lotusmedia Ltd.
Regional media sponsor of Business Café: Media Marketing