Gordana Kolarić
Episode · #121
PSIHOLOGIJA USPJEHA Gordana Kolarić
Guest Gordana KolarićHosted by Tanja PuretaMay 3, 2026
Gordana Kolarić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Gordana Kolarić built her accounting and tax advisory firm, Fin Team, over 23 years, not from a grand vision but from the stark necessity of the turbulent 1990s. This origin story, rooted in survival, offers a different lens on entrepreneurship than today's common narratives. She started in a large corporate system, then navigated economic collapse to create her own path, eventually choosing her clients and collaborators based on her own terms. Her experience shows how market shifts can force innovation, and how personal conviction, even more than market opportunity, defines a lasting business.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Her initial experience at Končar, a large system she calls 'a nursery of talent,' taught her 'all the steps' of business, from simple tasks to management. Foundational experience within a well-structured organization provides a comprehensive understanding of business operations that is invaluable before venturing into entrepreneurship.
02
The shift to entrepreneurship in the 1990s was not a choice but a 'question of survival' as large state-owned systems failed. While today's startups often begin with a market opportunity, some of the most enduring businesses are born from the sheer necessity of adapting to drastic economic upheaval.
03
Her first independent venture involved building an accounting service from scratch for an entrepreneur who 'knew nothing about it,' mirroring her own learning curve. The most robust entrepreneurial education often comes from learning by doing, navigating the market's demands alongside other new business owners, where collective inexperience fosters rapid, practical skill development.
04
The decision to establish Fin Team in 1996, after previous partnerships, came from a desire to 'do it on her own terms' and choose her clients and collaborators. True entrepreneurial freedom moves beyond just being your own boss; it means having the agency to define your working relationships and the vision for your company, rather than merely responding to market forces.
05
She describes the 'burden' and 'obligations' of entrepreneurship, specifically the need to 'provide enough money every month' to pay employees, rent, and other expenses on time. The perceived freedom of entrepreneurship is balanced by the constant, multi-layered responsibility of financial provision, where consistent cash flow for all obligations becomes a daily challenge.
06
Her policy from day one was that 'my employees always received their salary on the first day of the month.' A leader's unwavering commitment to timely compensation is a fundamental act of trust and stability, setting a non-negotiable standard for operational integrity within the business.
07
Asked why clients choose Fin Team over competitors, she states, 'You have to have something others don't.' In a competitive market, merely offering a service is not enough; sustained success requires a clear differentiator that compels clients to choose your specific value proposition.