BREND FORUM PANEL FINANCIJSKA INDUSTRIJA Oršanić, Josimović, Tičić, Perica i Kiseljak

Guest Oršanić, Josimović, Tičić, Perica i KiseljakHosted by Lidija KiseljakMay 3, 2026

Oršanić, Josimović, Tičić, Perica i Kiseljak

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

In a market where a brand's value can equal that of the company itself, the question of who buys what—and how it's financed—becomes central to any growth story. This panel brings together a unique mix of perspectives to explore that tension. Nikola Oršanić, an M&A consultant for small businesses, reveals why founders sell and where buyers find capital when traditional banks often can't help. We hear from Antonija Perica of OTP banka on the specific challenges of building a banking brand in a market that views the industry with skepticism, and Krunoslava Josimović shares how Dječji Escape Room built an educational franchise out of children's birthdays. This conversation shows that even the most innovative brands must navigate a financial landscape that doesn't always fit conventional molds, offering practical lessons on how to find your next growth partner.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Dječji Escape Room redefines children's play by allowing them to "touch everything," a direct inversion of the common "don't touch" rule found in museums. To create a new category, challenge a foundational, often unspoken, rule of existing models.

Krunoslava Josimović notes that schools from 12 of Croatia's 21 counties have visited Dječji Escape Room, a strategy that then helps raise parental awareness. For a family-focused concept, the most effective route to the end customer can be through community leaders and educators, not just direct marketing.

Dječji Escape Room sells a concept parents already recognize—a birthday celebration—but delivers it in an educational and interactive way. To enter a crowded market, don't invent a new need; reframe an established one with a distinct delivery.

Nikola Oršanić observes that for micro-business transactions, typically up to a few hundred thousand euros, banks are rarely involved due to small deal sizes and a lack of physical collateral. Small M&A activity often requires creative, non-bank financing, as traditional institutions are not structured to support such deals.

Oršanić points to a growing trend: middle managers in their middle years seeking entrepreneurship by acquiring existing businesses, rather than starting anew. The path to business ownership is increasingly shifting from invention to acquisition, allowing experienced professionals to apply their skills to established operations.

Antonija Perica from OTP banka acknowledges the banking industry's low public popularity, often perceived as "mean" or "tricky." When operating in a publicly maligned industry, brand building requires consistently humanizing interactions and proving reliability to counter existing perceptions.

Perica, as a marketing director, admits she defers on creating TikTok content for Gen Z, recognizing a generational gap and saying, "please don't ask me." To effectively reach a new generation, empower those who inherently understand the audience, rather than trying to bridge a generational gap from the top down.

Perica jokes that "if Dalmatians trust us, everyone should," highlighting OTP banka's strong regional roots and reputation on the Croatian coast. A powerful local reputation, even in a specific niche, can be a more robust foundation for national expansion than a generic national campaign.

Explore further

ScenariosBusiness challenges CardsEducational cards TimelineTopic evolution