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Andrea Poljak
Andrea Poljak
Episode · #801

POSLOVNI ĐIR Andrea Poljak

Guest Andrea PoljakHosted by Ojdana KoharevićJune 3, 2026
About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Andrea Poljak's entry into entrepreneurship began not with a business plan, but with a deeply personal desire to return to the world of ballet, a career she had to leave behind. She opened Baletni studio Aladea in Sinj, a city renowned for its traditional Alkar horsemen, not typically a hub for classical dance. This decision, driven by a long-held passion and the wish to show her children "the best version of herself," highlights how deeply personal motivations can forge unexpected business paths. Poljak, a former dancer with 14 years at HNK Split, faced the unique challenge of blending artistic discipline with the practicalities of running a business. She shares how she navigated the financial demands of a startup, prioritized core value over immediate perfection, and transformed a career-ending injury into a renewed purpose. Listeners will consider how their own life experiences and personal values might shape a resilient and fulfilling entrepreneurial venture.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

01
Opening a ballet studio in Sinj, a city known for its Alkar traditions, wasn't a calculated market entry but a personal return to a passion. The lesson: real demand can surface in unexpected places when you bring a high-quality offering to an underserved community.
02
A benign tumor on her foot and subsequent nerve damage ended Andrea's professional ballet career, yet she now sees it as an opportunity to pursue her goal "in a different way." Sometimes, a forced pivot from one path is the only way to find a more sustainable, entrepreneurial route to the same core passion.
03
Andrea didn't launch the studio from scratch; she took over from her friend Kristina, who had initially started it. The lesson: your entry into entrepreneurship doesn't always need to be a cold start; sometimes, the fastest way to build is to step into an existing, proven concept.
04
Andrea found herself caught by the desire for a "perfect" studio, but realized the priority was delivering knowledge to the children. Don't let the pursuit of visual perfection delay the delivery of your core product; the value itself is the real priority.
05
Despite the financial challenges of starting up, Andrea built the studio without state grants or aid. The lesson: while external funding can help, proving a concept can stand on its own feet from day one builds a different kind of resilience and independence.
06
Andrea found it "much harder to work for others" and feel unfulfilled than to face the demands of her own business. The true cost of entrepreneurship isn't always financial; it's often the price of *not* pursuing what genuinely fulfills you.
07
Becoming a mother intensified Andrea's long-held desire to return to ballet, wanting to show her children "the best version of herself." Personal life transitions can act as powerful internal deadlines, compelling you to finally act on ambitions you've deferred.
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