Dina Jakšić Pavasović
Episode · #317
POSLOVNI ĐIR Dina Jakšić
Guest Dina Jakšić PavasovićHosted by Bojana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
Dina Jakšić Pavasović
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Dina Jakšić Pavasović, a doctor of art from Brač, stands at the intersection of deep family tradition and contemporary business. For over 120 years, her family has worked Brač stone, a heritage that shaped her path from painting studies in Rome and Zagreb to running two art galleries. She speaks about the unique properties of this revered material, the challenge of sustaining a multi-generational craft, and the unexpected ways art finds its market. Readers will consider how deep roots in a specific craft can become a distinct business advantage, and how artistic passion translates into commercial success through strategic choices and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The family stone carving tradition dates back to 1903, with an Austro-Hungarian permit for working stone. The most resilient businesses often aren't found in new inventions, but in the multi-generational mastery of a specific craft and material.
02
Dina, a trained painter, couldn't ignore the Brač stone surrounding her family's workshop. Sometimes the most compelling business opportunities emerge not from active searching, but from recognizing the inherent value in what's already abundant and deeply familiar in your environment.
03
When working with white Brač stone for sculptures, Dina feels "it listens to me, it follows my direction." True mastery of a material means understanding its intrinsic properties so deeply that the creative process becomes a collaboration, not just imposition.
04
The stone wall designed for the Pumarella restaurant in Bol, where the stone "opens up" to present wine, exemplifies pushing material limits. Real product design comes from challenging a material's conventional uses to create new functionality and expression.
05
The Pučišća school for stone masons continuously educates young craftspeople, ensuring a local talent pool. A local, specialized trade school can be the critical, often unseen, pillar that sustains an entire regional industry.
06
Dina and her brother, Lovro, often wait for "the right block" to emerge from the quarry, knowing it might take time. For high-value creative work, the quality of the raw material is non-negotiable; patience in sourcing the perfect piece becomes a competitive advantage.
07
Brother Lovro's three-meter angel sculpture in Bol, which "the whole world photographed," became a global sensation. A single, visually striking piece of public art can generate more organic reach and word-of-mouth impact than any marketing budget could buy.
08
Tourists buy art immediately in the Brač gallery because "they don't have time to think," while Split locals browse gradually. Different customer segments require different sales rhythms; for transient buyers, the immediate "wow" and clear value must close the deal on the spot.
09
Dina has more works in America than in Croatia, partly because the price there is "three times higher." The perceived value and market price of artistic or craft products can vary dramatically across geographies, making international markets essential for scaling and profitability.