The formula for success is one – in business and in life

Introduce yourself – what do you do, which areas of activity are of interest to you?

I am involved in several types of business and participate in several organizations for entrepreneurs and managers. The main thing that occupies 80% of my time is my role as Managing Partner at “Balkan Services” - a consulting company focused on the digital transformation of businesses through implementation services  of software for comprehensive management of business processes (ERP, BI, financial planning, consolidation and reporting), business analytics, forecasting models, artificial intelligence (AI), IT security  and database support.

The common thread among all my activities is my desire for them to bring added value and provide the highest quality to the participants in the process (employees, clients, partners).

When did you realizethat you want to bean entrepreneur, not just an employee?

I think I have always known. But wanting it is one thing, taking the direction and actively seeking ways to achieve it is another. If you don’t make the first step, it remains just a dream.

Looking back, I realize that consciously or not, throughout my life I have worked to achieve it – first with the choice of education, then with various professional experiences. When you start to think about it seriously, a fear comes whether you will succeed, whether it is the right decision and whether the moment is appropriate. Everything happens when you are ready, and in my case, when I found the right partners for it.

What were themost defining moments in your professional path so far?

For me, the professional path begins with the choice of education. Perhaps the decision to study entrepreneurship (business administration) turned out to be defining. After that, my work in a company dealing with various aspects of finance broadened my horizons for development in different directions.

If I need to point out a specific moment, it is certainly the decision to embark on the adventure of creating my own business together with partners.

Was there a turning point that changed your vision for success?

The question comes at an appropriate moment – I think this is happening most strongly now. I cannot say that there is a specific moment, rather the vision changes with the growth of the person. For a long time, I believed that whoever makes a lot of money and has many things is successful. Now I believe the opposite – a person with many possessions is often quite burdened.

There are also several books and trainings that helped me change my vision. One of the books that had a significant impact on me is “Power vs. Force” by David Hawkins, and I would recommend it to anyone who believes that there is more than what meets the eye!.

How has the roleof an entrepreneur changed over time – from creator to leader?

A creator is anyone who establishes or creates something. To be a leader, in my view, you need to understand who you are, and first learn to manage yourself. This is a long and interesting journey for every person, whether they are a big boss at work or not. No one tells you what kind of leader to become  and if you don’t seek and explore it, you probably won’t find it and it won’t happen to you in the best way.

As a company creator, you have the opportunity to grow both as a person and as a leader. For me, this is a path that everyone should take with the clear understanding that there is no final destination - there is only continuous development or change. I am also walking this path.

Where do ideascome from – intuition, market, need?

Intuition is an important element. To be a successful entrepreneur, it is certainly important to have developed intuition, but if there is no market and no need for the services/products, it won’t work.

Intuition helps you feel whether you are in the right moment in the right place, but by itself, it is not enough. My ideas actually come from listening.

How do you understandwhen an idea has value and potential, and not just sounds good?

It often happens that there are good ideas, but they are rarely realized. It is challenging to evaluate the idea right at the beginning, especially when  it is something very new and the information is scarce. I believe that you cannot immediately say what its potential is, but if an entrepreneur decides to realize it, it is important to assess whether there is a team of people who will work on it, to be motivated enough not to give up, and to be flexible, because often the initial idea undergoes changes and  requires adaptation.

I know many entrepreneurs with good ideas. These ideas not only sounded good, but also carried real potential. Unfortunately, some of them were executed at the wrong time, and this did not give them the opportunity to develop, or their execution stopped just before the actual realization.

How do you approachthe creative process – do you have rituals, methods, or do you relyon the moment?

I am convinced that creativity is a process and as such has clear steps. When a person knows what they are and follows them, it becomes a routine. Over time, I have solidified a sustainable creative approach and at the moment I do not rely on special rituals.

If I have a more complicated case and need stronger concentration, I clear my mind as much as possible - I find this works best for me in nature, where I manage to find clarity and solutions.

What inspiresyou outside of business – art, people, travel?

The listed plus many others, including various sports, ski, surfing, cycling.

I try to combine them in my work as well, as I am not two separate personalities, and since one thing brings pleasure and ease, it can certainly help in the workplace.

What are your unchanging principles in work and life?

For me, it is important to do new things, to keep searching and learning. It is becoming increasingly important for me that things happen with ease, but this is also related to acquiring various skills. 

What doessuccess mean to you today – and is it different from five years ago?

For me, it is different. While five years ago I perceived success more as an external evaluation of how we are doing/how I am doing, nnow I feel it much more as something that is much deeper.

Today, for me, success is knowing myself and being able to give the best of myself to the people around me – family, colleagues, friends. True success is giving and receiving the best you are capable of.

Success in business has the same formula – know well what you are doing and give the client the best. To develop well, you don’t need many clients, but 100% satisfied clients to whom you have given your best.

What place does ethicshave in entrepreneurship according to you?

Ethics has a key place in entrepreneurship, especially when you think long-term. When you view your business with a perspective for sustainable growth, you realize that every action (even the smallest) leaves a mark.  Everything that is not done  in the best and honest way will come back sooner or later. In this sense, ethics is not just an addition, but a foundation for trust, reputation, and lasting success.

Do you believein the balance between personal and professional life or do you acceptthat it is an illusion?

I believe that if a person has discovered their calling and their work is a pleasure, then they enjoy working and in this picture, there is no place for imbalance. That is why it is important to like what you do and to be able to do it as much as you like, without being pressured by circumstances.

I think it is good to have the opportunity in both cases (both professionally and personally) to do and be where you like, so that you don’t need to seek balance.

What is themost valuable lesson you have learned “the hard way”?

I realized a bit late that seeking support is extremely challenging for people, including for me. I often tried to handle things on my own, for which if I had sought support, I would have managed much faster and  easier.

It is challenging to admit to yourself, to  swallow your ego and say “I might not be doing this the best and maybe I need support”. But when you do it, when you realize that it is not a weakness, but maturity - then you open the door to true progress.

How do you motivateyourself in moments of doubt or failure?

 In such states, I repeat a simple but powerful phrase: “It won’t always be like this”. This helps me maintain perspective in situations where everything seems heavier than it is.

The second thing that helps me is that I tell myself “you have time to be sad, as long as you need – enjoy it, cry, experience it, but don’t forget to act afterwards”. Failures are inevitable - they are part of the journey. The only thing that really depends on you is how you will react.

What kind of legacy do you wantto leave behind – as an entrepreneur, but also as a person?

I would like to leave a legacy by creating a work environment where people have the opportunity to develop their talents, feel valued, and work in synergy. I deeply believe that teamwork can achieve much more than individual talent, especially when there are clearly shared goals, mutual trust, and support.

As an entrepreneur, results are important to me, but so is the way we achieve them – with respect, professionalism, and sustainable development. I strive for this to not remain just a vision, but to be applied in practice through a culture, structures, and leadership that enable people to grow – both professionally and as individuals.