In its ninth year of existence, the Business Café, which gathers small entrepreneurs in seven countries, has also launched the Business Café International, whose first event was held on April 1 at Rooftop Lateral in Zagreb, gathering more than 50 experienced Croatian and foreign entrepreneurs.
Business Café International was established with the intention of highlighting the opposite of migration trends, i.e. showing examples of entrepreneurs who moved to Croatia and started their businesses there. It is a joint effort to make Croatia a country not just great to live in, but also attractive for doing business in.
Kristina Ercegović, Business Café founder, thus promoted her vision of Croatia as one of the best places to live and work.
Paul Bradbury, a Brit who used to live on Hvar and now lives in Varaždin and the owner of Total Croatia News, and Natalia Zielinska, a Polish entrepreneur and the author of Natalia u zemlji čudesa/Natalia in Wonderland from Ogulin, shared their entrepreneurial stories. They also talked about the reasons why they moved to Croatia and how they do business here.
Paul owns several portals, while Natalia is an EU consultant who also runs Entrepreneur Academy in Ogulin.
The conclusions were that we should all STOP complaining, accept the term UHLJEB for the moment as some kind of a TAX which we all need to pay for living here, and do what we can.
Nepotism and injustice were identified as the biggest problems and the reason why people emigrate. Additionally, many things don’t move forward because the problem starts at the lowest political level. Also, although Croatians complain a lot, it seems that they are too passive.
Paul finished his talk by saying: “Don’t expect to change Dalmatia/Croatia, rather expect Croatia to change you.”
He said we all go through three phases, especially foreigners upon their arrival. First there is joy and you are happy to be here and you enjoy the beauty and quality of life here. Then there is sorrow – you can’t believe this is happening. And finally, you accept reality and you do something to change at least one thing in your bubble or area of influence.
He said he has seen many initiatives – holding Business Cafés being one of them – and that there is a need to connect them all to show that there definitely is a better and more positive Croatia.
We all agreed there were many initiatives and entrepreneurial stories which should be shared and presented on daily basis because that is the way mindset is changed, and that children should be shown that success is possible here as well.
After their talks, the audience had a chance to talk to Paul and Natalia. Attendees also used the opportunity to present themselves, connect with others and network.
Besides entrepreneurs, representatives of the US and Swedish Embassy were present at the event as well.
Sponsors are Diglossia Translations Company, Lisak Catering, as well as Domelly. Media coverage is provided by Total Croatia News, Croatia2go, Samo pozitivno, Media Marketing, Mentorica, Poduzetnik and WIA.
Next scheduled events: June 3rd, August 26th and October 14th 2019.
For more info, please visit: www.businesscafe.info
