Nikolina Lončar i Manuela Sirovec
Episode · #353
POSLOVNA ŽENA Nikolina Lončar i Manuela Sirovec
Guest Nikolina Lončar i Manuela SirovecHosted by Marijana MatkovićMay 3, 2026
Nikolina Lončar i Manuela Sirovec
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
A family business often means navigating generations, but at Hotel Zlatan, that dynamic includes a third dimension: a mother who grounds her daughter's and colleague's expansive ambitions. Nikolina Lončar, the chef who turned a childhood reluctance to cook into a national championship career, runs the hotel alongside Manuela Sirovec, the founder's granddaughter. Manuela’s mother, Jasminka, manages the finances, often serving as the necessary counterpoint to their relentless drive. Together, these three women transformed a basement tavern opened by grandparents in 1966 into a three-star hotel. This conversation explores how they balance a deep personal history with modern professional growth, and how the friction of different generations can sharpen, rather than hinder, a business built on hospitality.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Hotel Zlatan began as a 'krčma, doslovno u podrumu' (a tavern, literally in the basement) in 1966. The initial scale of a business is rarely a predictor of its ultimate potential. A basement tavern can grow into a three-star hotel when ambition outpaces humble beginnings.
02
Nikolina 'prop plakala sam šest mjeseci prve godine kuharstva da neću biti kuhar' (cried for six months in her first year of culinary school), having been told she should cook because she was 'preživa' (too lively). The career you initially resist, especially if it aligns with an inherent personality trait, can become the one you master. Sometimes, external observations about your nature reveal your true calling before you see it yourself.
03
Nikolina competed nationally and internationally, winning the Croatian championship in 2009 and representing Croatia at Bocuse d'Or, the Culinary World Cup, and the Culinary Olympics. Bringing a local restaurant to a global standard isn't about location; it's about the operator's commitment to excellence. Competing at the highest levels of a craft directly elevates the quality of a regional establishment.
04
Manuela's mother, Jasminka, manages finances, and Manuela describes her as 'uvijek je realno' (always realistic), forcing them to 'malo stati, sagledati s drugog kuta' (stop a bit, look from another angle). A financial partner's most valuable contribution is often their willingness to be the brake, not just the accelerator. Realism, even when it feels like resistance, can prevent costly mistakes and refine ambitious plans.
05
Nikolina describes herself as having a 'velik apetit' (big appetite) for work and new ideas, stating, 'uvijek mora biti netko tu da me malo zaustavi' (there always has to be someone to stop me a bit). High drive requires an internal or external counter-balance. Recognizing and actively seeking out someone who can temper your own enthusiasm is a sign of maturity in leadership.
06
Nikolina admits, 'Ja ne volim papire... ja sam više ono, evo Lela tu je' (I don't like papers... I'm more like, here's Lela). Manuela handles the paperwork. Structuring a partnership means leaning into complementary weaknesses, not just strengths. Identifying tasks one partner actively dislikes and assigning them to another who is competent is a direct path to efficiency.
07
Nikolina took up 'šećerne skulpture' (sugar sculptures) as a hobby, 'čisto 'nak da si malo živce smirim' (just to calm my nerves). A demanding career benefits from an unrelated creative outlet. Such a pursuit isn't a distraction but a crucial way to manage stress, clear the mind, and return to primary work with renewed focus.
08
The three women decided to push for a hotel conversion because 'bila je neka dobra energija' (there was good energy) and they 'nekak smo se našle' (somehow found each other) through shared love of food. Significant business expansion often springs from an intuitive alignment of personalities and shared passion, rather than just a strategic plan. When the energy is right, the ambition naturally follows.