·
All episodes
Ariana Vela
Episode · #106

VRIJEME JE ZA GOSPODARSTVO Ariana Vela

Guest Ariana VelaHosted by Darko BukovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

Ariana Vela did not set out to build a large enterprise with a polished image. Instead, she began from her living room, focused on establishing "healthy foundations" for quality service and future employment. Her path reveals the unseen bureaucratic battles and structural disadvantages that can hinder even the most dedicated entrepreneurs, particularly those operating as sole proprietors in Croatia. As a leading consultant for EU funds and public procurement, and the founder of the first EU Projects Academy, Vela's experience provides a clear-eyed look at navigating a complex regulatory landscape. Her story is one of building a business focused on substance over superficial appearances, and how persistent effort is often the only way through administrative inertia. Readers will walk away with a sharper understanding of how foundational choices about business structure and a refusal to yield to systemic obstacles can shape a company's trajectory.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Ariana Vela started her business from her living room, explicitly stating her goal was not a "nice office" or "pretty logo." Instead, she aimed to create "healthy foundations" for quality service and future employment. Substance over superficiality proves to be the real market differentiator when starting lean.
02
Croatia had used pre-accession programs like IPA, CARDS, and PHARE before Vela started her commercial EU funds consulting in 2009. The true opportunity, however, came with EU accession, which brought "more than ten times more money." Being among the first to commercialize expertise in a rapidly expanding, complex field creates an enduring competitive advantage.
03
Vela describes the "obrt" (sole proprietorship) as "the black sheep" of Croatian entrepreneurship. Despite initial accounting simplicity, sole proprietors face unfavorable tax positions compared to companies, unlimited personal liability, and even make it harder for their employees to secure housing loans, revealing a systemic bias in how legal structures are treated.
04
Establishing the EU Projekti Učilište took ten months, despite legal provisions for a much shorter process. Vela encountered "administrative silence" at nearly every step, even being told by a ministry that the name "Učilište EU Projekti" was too vague, while other institutions with broad, abstract names faced no such issues. Bureaucratic hurdles often stem from arbitrary interpretations, not clear rules.
05
The Učilište's 166-hour program for EU project preparation and implementation requires every participant to write their own project proposal. Many of these proposals are later submitted for funding, securing grants and leading to employment for graduates. The ultimate validation for an educational program is not certification, but students successfully applying their learning to real-world, funded projects.
06
The Učilište also offers a unique, year-long program for "Infrastructure Project Preparation and Implementation Managers." Infrastructure projects consume the largest share of EU funds but are often the slowest to implement and incur the most penalties. Specializing in the most problematic, high-value areas of a market positions an educational offering as essential, not just supplementary.
07
After years of establishing EU funds portals and education, Vela heard Minister Pavić announce plans for a state-run EU funds academy. She notes the irony that a former EU funds consultant minister was seemingly unaware of the existing private institution. Even proven private initiatives can face state competition, often from those who should be most informed about the market.
08
Vela's life motto is "don't give up regardless of obstacles." This principle is not just aspirational; it is a practical necessity when navigating opaque administrative systems and carving out new market segments. Persistence is the core operational skill in environments where success often means clearing your own path.
Explore further
ScenariosBusiness challengesCardsEducational cardsTimelineTopic evolution