Hana Klein
Episode · #74
IZ OBRTNIČKE RADIONICE Hana Klain
Guest Hana KleinMay 3, 2026
Hana Klein
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
Hana Klein left a secure corporate job not out of dissatisfaction, but because interesting projects kept coming her way that she couldn't take on. Now, as the owner of Klein PR, she manages communications for major events like "Fuliranje na moru" and the Zagreb Burger Festival, while also organizing bespoke travel experiences. Her path from corporate roles and international organizations to sole proprietorship offers a direct look at the trade-offs and unexpected demands of building a business on your own terms. This conversation explores the often-unseen challenges faced by intellectual service providers in Croatia, from navigating billing issues to the stark reality of sick leave, revealing how a deep personal commitment can be the most reliable compass in an uncertain landscape.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Hana Klein left a secure corporate position not because she was unhappy, but because "some really interesting projects would come up that I couldn't accept because I was tied to a company." The desire for professional autonomy and the frustration of missed opportunities can be a more potent trigger for entrepreneurship than dissatisfaction with a current role.
02
After researching and consulting with the Croatian Employment Service, Hana was advised to "start with a sole proprietorship as a preliminary phase" before potentially scaling to a limited liability company. For service-based businesses, starting with the simplest legal structure can be a strategic way to test the market and build a client base before committing to more complex corporate forms.
03
Hana highlights a critical difference for sole proprietors: "When you're in a company, you go on sick leave, get your slightly reduced salary. When you're a sole proprietor, that's not really an option." The lack of basic employee benefits like paid sick leave represents a significant, often overlooked, operational and financial vulnerability for small business owners.
04
Hana describes working with people as "challenging," not difficult, emphasizing the need to "adapt to each person, to recognize if someone is more or less communicative, more emotional or not." In client-facing roles, the ability to read and adapt to individual temperaments and unspoken cues is more critical for success than delivering a perfectly rehearsed message.
05
While leading a press trip to a mine, Hana faced a situation where a cameraman, crucial for a national TV broadcast, revealed he was claustrophobic right before entering the elevator. In event management, the ability to improvise and find immediate solutions to unexpected problems is far more valuable than rigid adherence to a pre-planned schedule.
06
Hana clarifies her role in festivals: "I would rather say that I lead the communications for festivals because organization is a very, very complex process involving more of us." Precisely defining one's specialized contribution within a larger, collaborative project helps manage expectations and highlights specific expertise over generic project involvement.
07
Despite the challenges of her work, Hana finds her greatest reward in "seeing at the end of the trip how happy people are because they experienced something new, in which I ultimately helped them." For service-oriented businesses, the emotional satisfaction and genuine happiness of clients often serve as the most potent and enduring measure of success.
08
Hana states that "the only important thing is to do something with heart and with love," believing that "new jobs will always be found if there is desire and will," despite inherent business insecurity. In an unpredictable economic landscape, a deep, personal commitment to one's craft can be a more reliable long-term strategy for continuity than chasing fleeting perceptions of stability.
09
Her background in Italian language and linguistics, combined with her passion for travel organizing, significantly aids her work, especially with international clients. Seemingly unrelated skills and personal interests, when combined, can create unique competitive advantages and open doors to diverse client bases that a narrower focus might miss.