PSIHOLOGIJA USPJEHA Toni Frankola i Željka Tičić

Guest Toni Frankola i Željka TičićHosted by Tanja PuretaMay 3, 2026

Toni Frankola i Željka Tičić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

In 2009, as the global financial crisis intensified, Toni Frankola made a counter-intuitive move: he left his job to co-found Siskit, a B2B software company. He had already given his notice, and as he puts it, when the crisis hit, "I wondered, 'okay, what now? It's a bit of a drama, but okay.' We ignored it." This blend of determined commitment and a clear-eyed focus on specific problems would define Siskit's path. Today, the company is a 13-year veteran in the high-enterprise software segment, recognized globally for its specialized solutions. Frankola, alongside COO Željka Tičić, shares the often-unseen decisions and internal shifts that allowed Siskit to not just survive, but thrive and lead in its niche, even without traditional entrepreneurial backing. This conversation offers a rare look at the quiet resilience required to build a lasting business, from the initial leap into the unknown to the ongoing challenge of scaling a team.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Toni Frankola's core motivation for starting Siskit was a simple, personal drive: "when I see a problem that can be accelerated, automated, I can't wait to remove it." The most sustainable businesses often grow from a founder's innate desire to simplify and automate specific, recurring problems.

The decision to launch Siskit in 2009, after Toni had already given notice and amidst a deepening financial crisis, was a calculated risk. Sometimes, sticking to a committed path, even when external circumstances turn dire, can be the best strategy, especially if your target market is insulated from local downturns.

Siskit's initial and consistent focus on the US and Western European markets from day one provided a crucial buffer. Strategically choosing a primary market with a more advanced economy can provide early stability and growth, effectively hedging against local economic fluctuations.

Toni Frankola admits he had no family history of entrepreneurship or ready-made role models to learn from. Entrepreneurial success is not an inherited trait; it's a skill developed through self-reliance and persistence, proving that a lack of family precedent doesn't predict business acumen.

As Siskit grew from two co-founders to 65 employees, Toni was surprised by the increasing complexity of management, noting, "I can't say I was prepared to be a director, and even today I'm surprised by everything one needs to know." Technical skill can build a product, but scaling a company demands continuous education in leadership and operations, often revealing unexpected challenges.

Siskit achieved a #1 global position in specific niches through a dual strategy of heavy SEO investment and cultivating word-of-mouth referrals. Dominance in a specialized segment requires both systematic digital presence and organic advocacy, showing the power of a combined approach to market leadership.

Toni Frankola describes a years-long internal struggle to accept the need for a co-managing partner, culminating in Željka Tičić joining as COO. A founder's willingness to acknowledge their own limitations and bring in complementary management expertise is often the catalyst for a company's next stage of growth, leading to a stronger team than any solo effort could achieve.

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