ANAMNEZA Jadranka Brozd

Guest Jadranka BrozdHosted by Zvonko ŠebMay 3, 2026

Jadranka Brozd

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Running a successful business for 25 years in any sector is rare; doing so in a field that didn't even exist as a private practice when you started is another feat entirely. Jadranka Brozd, founder of Croatia's longest-running private physical therapy practice, didn't set out to be an entrepreneur. Her journey began with a clear childhood calling for physiotherapy, a deep-seated desire to help people regain function, not to build an empire. But when circumstances forced her hand, she found herself not just an owner, but a pioneer. This conversation reveals the unexpected origins of a lasting business, the demands of radical honesty in healthcare, and the enduring power of a singular focus on improving quality of life, not just fixing bodies.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Jadranka Brozd’s practice is often called the 'first' private physical therapy clinic in Croatia, but she corrects the record: two others opened before hers, then closed. Her clinic, however, has endured for 25 years. Longevity isn't about being first to market; it's about being the one that outlasts the rest.

From elementary school, Brozd knew she wanted to be a physiotherapist, specifically to help people regain function, not to be a doctor or nurse. The businesses that truly last are often those you've been preparing for since childhood, driven by a clear, unwavering purpose that bypasses conventional career paths.

When asked about the countless hours of training she's undergone, Brozd admits, 'I have no idea how many.' Her education has been continuous, driven directly by the evolving needs of her clients. In a service business, the best professional development isn't planned in advance; it's a constant, demand-driven response to specific client challenges.

Brozd’s grandmother, Barica, instilled a core principle: 'Ask nothing of anyone, but share what you have with everyone, and be open, noble, and honest.' This translates directly to Brozd's clinical practice, where she tells clients the truth, even if it's uncomfortable. Radical honesty, even when it risks client discomfort, builds a deeper, more enduring trust than any sugar-coated diagnosis.

Brozd didn't choose to become an entrepreneur. She answered a job ad, and when the financial backer of the new venture pulled out, she was left with a device to pay off and no other option. Entrepreneurship sometimes isn't a deliberate choice or a grand ambition; it's a path forced upon you by circumstance, demanding resilience you didn't know you had.

The moment the financial backer left was the hardest of her 25 years in business, because she had no vision or dream of being an entrepreneur or employer. Her only goal was 'financial peace' for her family. The true cost of entrepreneurship often reveals itself only after the commitment is made, demanding far more than just financial acumen: it demands your entire self.

Brozd sees physiotherapists as improving the 'quality of life,' enabling individuals to pursue their personal needs and achieve satisfaction by ensuring 'your body follows your ideas.' The ultimate value proposition in health services isn't just fixing a problem, but empowering clients to live the life they envision for themselves.

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