Bernard Bakač Nikšić Nado
Episode · #474
POSLOVNA ŠPICA Bernard Nikšić Nado
Guest Bernard Bakač Nikšić NadoHosted by Saša PetarMay 3, 2026
Bernard Bakač Nikšić Nado
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Bernard Bakač Nikšić Nado’s career began with a flower shop at 22, in a socialist society not known for its entrepreneurs. This was just the first of a wildly varied string of ventures, from cafes with indoor waterfalls to a savings bank, a toy store, and even an early business focused on personal relationships. Yet, after losing everything during the war, Nado found himself drawn back to an ambition he had as a child: healing people. He rebuilt his life around Poliklinika Nado, a specialized center for spine and physical therapy, now with multiple locations and plans for international expansion. His story explores how life’s unexpected detours, even profound loss, can forge a unique skillset and clarify a deeper purpose.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Starting a flower shop at 22 in a socialist society, where entrepreneurship was rare, taught Nado that business success is 'ten percent talent, ninety percent work.' The drive to create, he argues, transcends restrictive environments and cultural norms.
02
At five, Nado declared he would heal people, yet his early career diverged into cafes, sports centers, and even a savings bank. He now sees those seemingly unrelated ventures as essential training, providing the marketing, legal, and business acumen needed for his later medical centers.
03
Losing 'a million German marks' and all his businesses during the war years wasn't a setback for Nado, but a turning point he calls 'a very good trade.' This catastrophic loss, he explains, led him to find a deeper spiritual purpose, which then reshaped his entire approach to work and fulfillment.
04
After building a string of successful businesses—pools, cafes, shops—Nado realised he was 'earning money, but nothing satisfied me,' feeling 'empty' despite material success. The ultimate aim, he found, isn't just to build a business, but to leave a mark that genuinely contributes to society.
05
Asked about the source of his ideas, Nado references Nikola Tesla, suggesting there’s 'a core we should all connect to,' which he attributes to a divine source. This perspective frames entrepreneurial insight not just as personal ingenuity, but as something received, guiding actions with purpose.
06
A German patient, after a year of unsuccessful treatment elsewhere, found relief within a week at a Nado Center and was so impressed she offered to finance the first German franchise. The strongest validation for a concept’s expansion isn't market research, but a client’s dramatic personal transformation leading them to want to replicate the model.
07
The core of the Nado Centers' success is a unique, non-operative method for treating spinal canal stenosis, which Nado 'created and conceived.' For specialized healthcare, the true asset for scaling isn’t just the brand or facilities, but a proprietary method that consistently delivers results where conventional approaches fail.
08
Preparing for the first Nado Center in Germany means grappling with 'serious things' related to medical regulations there, demanding institutional-level organization beyond typical entrepreneurial agility. Expanding a specialized service internationally requires a shift from nimble operation to rigorous, technical preparation and compliance.