POSLOVNI ĐIR Juraj i Snježana Kukrić

Guest Juraj i Snježana KukrićHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026

Juraj i Snježana Kukrić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The appeal of a place often lies in its unique, handcrafted details – the kind of artistry that tells a story beyond mass production. But for many local artisans, turning that craft into a viable business remains a constant uphill battle. Juraj and Snježana Kukrić, a couple behind a fused glass studio in Dalmatia, have lived this tension firsthand. Snježana initially explored glass art as a creative outlet, while Juraj, with a background in prototype modeling, later scaled it into a professional venture. Their conversation reveals the demanding technical process behind delicate glasswork, imported materials, and 24-hour production cycles. More critically, it uncovers the systemic challenges faced by creative entrepreneurs in tourist-heavy regions: the lack of support from local authorities, the struggle to find affordable exhibition spaces, and the overlooked potential for cities to differentiate themselves through authentic local craft. You'll finish this episode thinking about the real cost of neglecting the makers who define a region's soul.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Snježana's initial venture into glass art began as an "exploratory" side project, not a formal business plan, evolving from ceramics to glass as she "grew creatively." Many enduring businesses begin as personal challenges or creative outlets, not fully formed strategies.

Juraj spent a decade in a prototype modeling workshop, where he learned about mold making and material technology, which later proved crucial for his complex glasswork. Unrelated past experiences often provide the specific, hands-on knowledge that becomes essential for a later, seemingly different, venture.

Crafting a single fused glass piece takes at least 24 hours, involving 10-12 hours in a kiln at 850 degrees Celsius, followed by a precise cooling process. Mastery in craft often means embracing long, non-linear processes and accepting initial waste as part of the learning curve.

All raw materials for their specialized fused glass come from Germany or Italy, as these specific types of glass are not produced locally. Even highly localized, artisanal production often relies on a global supply chain for specialized raw materials, a hidden cost for such businesses.

Local authorities, according to the Kukrićs, fail to recognize the value of creative artisans and do not provide adequate exhibition spaces or support, despite the appeal of original products to tourists. Cities miss a chance to differentiate their tourism by failing to support local artisans, who offer the authentic, original products tourists actually seek.

Observing Murano glassmakers in Venice, where tourists watch the craft and then buy, highlighted a missed opportunity for Croatian cities. Experiential retail, where customers witness the creation process, is a powerful sales driver that converts curiosity into purchases, far beyond static display.

Snježana argues that artisans should not be charged the same commercial rent as other traders, given the unique nature of their production and market. Treating all commercial spaces equally ignores the specific economic realities and cultural value of artisanal businesses, hindering their ability to survive and thrive.

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