Stories about four daring young entrepreneurs from Zagreb who started their businesses less than a year ago.
Even though the level of unemployment of young people in Croatia is among the highest in the EU, there are still some positive examples that prove exceptions do exist.
Jutarnji list brings four stories from four different young people who decided to use the Incentives for Young Entrepreneurs and take matters into their own hands.
Matea Kondža
Matea (29) recently opened her store Mano Cornuta in Savska, and she already feels like it’s her second home. Inspired by Vivienne Westwood, Stevie Nicks and Gwen Stefani, Matea decided to combine her love for music with her Faculty of Textile Technology diploma and start making clothes for alternative music lovers in Zagreb.
Matea had no luck in finding a job in design after she graduated, so she started working in a café next to where her shop is now located. When she found out that the space is available for rent, she opened her company and started working.
“Most things I sell were designed and made by me. Mano Cornuta currently offers t-shirts, dresses, skirts, tote bags and waist packs, but new things are being made every day. We also offer custom tailoring and sewing classes.”
Visit Matea’s shop on Facebook here.
Ivan Čiš
28-year-old Ivan Čiš decided to leave his studies at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing because he wanted to get into graphic design and wasn’t really interested in programming. He first started designing websites for his friends, and when he got an opportunity to work for a USA-based company, he realized he had to open his own company, Cis design.
“I used the incentives and started working. At first the clients were from the USA, but then my work slowly spread to other countries as well. I’ve managed to get five clients during the three months I’ve had the company, which is really not bad.”
Marko Šunjić
Marko (26) opened his metalworking shop Koval six months ago and there are already six employees working for him.
“I graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Business, but I learned the blacksmith trade from my father, who owns a forge in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So, I used the incentives, bought the machines and decided to open my own blacksmith’s shop here in Zagreb.”
Marko makes grilling equipment and his customers buy it directly from him or from his online shop, and he also plans to open a physical store soon.
“I’m doing well so I intend my business to spread. There have been talks with some bigger companies, so we’ll see what happens.”
Lovro Šicel
Lovro loves music, so he decided to open his company, Rock gitara, and give guitar lessons to children. He goes to their homes, so they don’t have to go anywhere, which the parents really appreciate because it saves a lot of time, which would otherwise be spent in traffic, going to Music schools. Most of his students are children aged 6-15.
“I’ve always wanted to make music my living, and I realized that this is the only way. I currently teach about 10 students and I’m very happy with what I do.”
Visit Rock gitara on Facebook here.
Sources: Jutarnji list, Zdrava i sretna, Plavi ured
