POSAO I KUĆNI LJUBIMCI Mirjana Sović

Guest Mirjana SovićHosted by Marijana MatkovićMay 3, 2026

Mirjana Sović

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Mirjana Sović spent two decades in the demanding world of automotive sales, rising to a director position. But a different kind of demand — the desperate need for safe, temporary homes for cats — pulled her into an entirely new venture. In June, she opened Royal Cat, Croatia's first dedicated cat hotel, and within weeks, it was fully booked through the summer. Her story isn't just about a career pivot; it's a look at how an entrepreneur can identify a glaring market gap, draw lessons from global examples, and execute with such precision that demand immediately outstrips capacity. This conversation reveals the granular decisions behind building a premium service in an underserved niche, and the conviction it takes to leave a stable career for a deeply personal mission.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Royal Cat opened its doors on June 3rd, and within two weeks, the hotel was fully booked for the entire summer. The market for premium cat accommodation wasn't absent; it was simply waiting for the right solution to emerge.

For years, Mirjana struggled to find a safe place for her own five cats when traveling, often relying on friends or family. The businesses that gain immediate traction are often born from a founder's unresolved personal problem.

Mirjana's long-standing desire to create animal shelters was always blocked by bureaucracy and funding. When the idea for a cat hotel clicked in November, she quit her sales director job by February 15th. A clear, viable solution to a familiar problem can turn a dormant wish into decisive action.

Mirjana received 55,000 HRK in government incentives, but this only covered the cost of the custom-built cat boxes. The full investment in Royal Cat exceeded 200,000 HRK. Government grants rarely fund the entire vision; the real commitment comes from personal capital.

In Croatia, there are no city-run shelters or public facilities for abandoned or injured cats. Where public services leave a significant gap, a private market will often emerge to provide specialized care.

The hotel features a separate reception area, two distinct cat rooms (VIP and Classic), and a strict no-shoes policy inside the cat areas. For a service dealing with beloved pets, the meticulous details of hygiene and separation build more trust than any broad marketing claim.

Mirjana previously considered herself a 'dog person,' having rescued and cared for many. The most successful ventures often come not from a lifelong dedication to one animal, but from a clear-eyed assessment of an unmet need and a willingness to solve it.

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