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Matea Pavla Rajšek Hrestak
Matea Pavla Rajšek Hrestak

IZ OBRTNIČKE RADIONICE Matea Pavla Rajšek Hrestak

Guest Matea Pavla Rajšek HrestakHosted by Sanja PlješaJune 3, 2026
About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

The story of Matea Pavla Rajšek Hrestak begins not with a business plan, but with a childhood habit: constantly carrying her hobbies with her, earning her the nickname Pupa Franca. Today, that same drive defines her textile jewelry business, Pupa Franca, where traditional crochet techniques meet modern, interactive design. She speaks candidly about the demanding balance of being a solo entrepreneur, an artist, and a mother — navigating the challenges of scaling a creative venture while cherishing the "complete freedom" her craft provides. Her experience offers a grounded view of how personal passion can become a viable business, even when life demands unexpected pauses and restarts. Listen to understand the real-world trade-offs between creative autonomy and operational demands, and how a distinctive product can find its market across generations.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

01
Her father gave Matea the nickname "Pupa Franca" because she always carried her hobbies with her, a habit that persisted into adulthood and eventually became her business name. The businesses that scale are often the ones you've been involuntarily preparing for since childhood.
02
Matea initially studied fashion design, expecting to make clothes or bags, but her "side projects" organically shifted to jewelry. The path to a sustainable craft business often isn't a direct line from formal education, but an evolution of what you create on the side.
03
She uses traditional crochet techniques to create "soft jewelry" that is contemporary and even interactive, allowing wearers to reshape pieces. You don't need a new technique to build a new category; you just need to redefine how an old one is applied.
04
Matea expected her textile jewelry to appeal mostly to younger customers, but found her client base includes older women who appreciate "different details" to express their style. The market for a distinctive product often extends beyond the demographic you initially envision.
05
As a solo entrepreneur, Matea's business experienced a significant "stagnation" after childbirth because she was the only one who could perform key tasks. The cost of a solo operator's absence isn't just lost revenue; it's the need to essentially restart momentum from zero.
06
While challenging, Matea values the "complete freedom" to express herself creatively without external limitations and the ability to control her work schedule. This creative autonomy is often the primary driver for solo entrepreneurs, outweighing the demanding 24/7 nature of the work.
07
Matea plans to attend specific trade fairs in Milan, Germany, and France to secure gallery collaborations and media coverage, rather than just selling directly. For a craft business, targeted international exposure through established channels is often more effective than broad e-commerce pushes.
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