Miljenko Vaić
14. October 2019.Dora Katana Martić
14. October 2019.
ALUMNI STORY
Matija Blažević
Finished study at EFRI and the year of completion: undergraduate and graduate study Managment, 2015, postgraduate specialist study Marketing Management, 2019.
Current work position: director and (co) owner in Soleas d.o.o., Collegium putovanja d.o.o., Parve d.o.o., Sijalica d.o.o. and Alpha Smile d.o.o.
"I'm sure my older alumni colleagues can help me, just as I can help them. Also, one day I want o be available to my younger colleagues as much as possible for help, advice or recommendation. I support the continued development of Alumni EFRI and will do my best to keep this community growing and developing."
1What inspired you to venture into entrepreneurship and start your first business as a student?
Through the founding and running of the associations during my first few years of college, I gained some experience, which gave me a push to get into some of the more serious projects and jobs then the associations themselves. Various ideas have always come to my mind and it was only a matter of time before I started entrepreneurship. When I entered into entrepreneurship, my best friends with whom I was about to open Soleas, gave me motivation and courage. Ultimately, one of them decided to embark on his own individual career, a musical one in which he is very successful today. Today, I am still learning and developing with the same friend with whom I opened Soleas and together with some new partners we are opening all our businesses. My determination to enter entrepreneurship was also strongly supported by my parents, whom I still ask for advice today and seek their support in every new challenge.
2What role do you think EFRI has played in your business development and industry perspectives?
I think it played a really big role. I'm the type of person who learned by linking theory to the practice I was doing. I tried to relate as much of the book as possible to reality, because I would learn the course material faster. Today I still use that same material in various business situations. In addition, I have made a lot of contacts during college and I do not think there is a business activity today where I do not have someone to turn to for help. College time should be used to build your own network of contacts because you never know who will end up where one day. My plan is to enroll in a PhD in the spring of 2020 to gain even more theoretical knowledge that I will put into business practice and use as my advantage.
3How do you see the alumni community you are in? How do you perceive your role in it and how do you feel the EFRI Alumni should develop?
I find the alumni community extremely helpful if the relationships within it are maintained and constantly expanded. For further development, I think it would be useful to organize more gatherings that would connect more generations. I mentioned that at the time of my studies, I met a lot of people who are still helping me and who I am helping, but those alumni are 5 years older or younger than I am. I do not know colleagues older than this, and soon I will not know anyone more than 5 years younger then I am, because this connections can be maintained, i.e. created only through new acquaintances and socializing. I'm sure my older alumni colleagues can help me, just as I can help them. Also, one day I want o be available to my younger colleagues as much as possible for help, advice or recommendation. I support the continued development of Alumni EFRI and will do my best to keep this community growing and developing.