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Kristina Ercegović
Episode · #33

POSLOVNA ŽENA Kristina Ercegović

Guest Kristina ErcegovićHosted by Dea OluMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Kristina Ercegović has spent 17 years building companies, selling them, and then building communities. She founded the first mystery shopping agency in the region, sold it, launched another, and then, nine years ago, started Business Cafe – a gathering that has grown into a regional phenomenon for small entrepreneurs. She knows that building a business is rarely a straight line, and she doesn't shy away from the hard truths. This conversation explores how a personal health crisis sparked her first venture, why she insists that "overnight success takes at least twenty years," and how she built a community where entrepreneurs share their unfiltered experiences, "without bullshit." Kristina offers a counter-conventional view on what truly drives success in challenging markets, arguing that individual mindset and genuine connection often matter more than external circumstances. You will consider how much of your own business success truly depends on you, and how much on the network you choose to cultivate.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Her first company, Heraklea, the first mystery shopping agency in the region, was born after she saw a TV show about secret shoppers during her recovery from spinal surgery. A personal health crisis can unexpectedly reveal a significant market gap, proving that some business ideas emerge when you are forced to step away and observe.
02
When asked about the quality of customer service, Kristina challenges entrepreneurs directly: "When was the last time you were your own customer?" Truly understanding the customer experience means stepping into their shoes, however uncomfortable, because customers are the fundamental reason any business exists.
03
On receiving feedback from mystery shopping reports, Kristina notes that "no one likes criticism" and, quoting a friend, reminds everyone that "there's no feedback on feedback." Instead of personalizing criticism, a business must learn to see it as free consulting and an opportunity for improvement.
04
Asked about improving the Croatian business climate, Kristina responds, "Where do I start?" but quickly pivots, citing examples like Mate Rimac. While external factors matter, individual mindset, education, and network have a far greater impact on success or failure than blaming the system.
05
Kristina states that "overnight success takes at least twenty years," even if modern technology can compress some processes. True growth, like agriculture, involves planting, watering, and waiting; there are no instant apps for the most fulfilling aspects of life or business.
06
Business Cafe's core messages are "we are not alone" and "you can succeed here and now," even against all odds. In entrepreneurship, the most powerful asset is a supportive community — people who share real experiences and believe success is possible, providing both motivation and practical connection.
07
Business Cafe encourages entrepreneurs to be "very authentic, without bullshit," sharing successes, failures, and lessons learned "like on the Oprah show." True value in a business community comes from open vulnerability, not polished presentations. Creating a safe space for unvarnished truth fosters deeper connections and more actionable insights.
08
Kristina describes Business Cafe as "business coaching, a small couch at the psychiatrist, a little complaining, and discussing with friends." A truly effective entrepreneurial community serves multiple, often unexpected, roles beyond just networking, providing emotional support, a space to vent, and genuine camaraderie alongside practical advice.
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