Building a future in BiH may not be easy, but it’s certainly possible if you’re willing to be patient and work hard on making your ideas come to life. Youth from Jajce are proof it can be done. With the help of the Institute for Youth Development KULT and the Municipality of Jajce, and with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in BiH, they successfully launched their own businesses.
One of them is Samed Glamočić, a physical therapist who graduated from university and interned in the General Hospital before trying to get a job. But, finding employment proved to be a struggle.
“Then I saw the program the Municipality was offering in cooperation with the Institute for Youth Development KULT, inviting us to apply with our business plans. I already knew what I wanted to do because I’m a physical therapist by profession, and I’ve also been to some other trainings, so I decided to write a project proposal. I submitted the proposal at the end of 2018, and the results we published in the beginning of 2019. Then I started the process of launching my business, and registering it”, said Samed.
Thanks to this program, Samed opened his “Relax Studio” offering physical therapy, massages and cupping, an alternative method popular around the globe. He is just starting out, but people are already showing interest in his services and are curious to learn what cupping is.
“It’s a completely natural treatment. It’s a medical regulatory method, that uses vacuum to extract biological toxic waste that accumulates in capillary blood. Cupping restores balance to the human metabolism”, says Samed.
Although he is convinced that he would have eventually found a way to start his business, this program was the impetus he needed to get going. Despite the fact that youth are leaving BiH, and he himself had considered it, he says is not the type of person who can thrive abroad.
“I want to stay here, no matter what it takes, this is where I want to make a living. I never categorically rejected the idea of leaving, but I would only leave for professional training, not permanently. I’d like to experience something new, a training abroad, but I want to work here.”
His message to young people is to work hard if they want to stay in BiH.
“They won’t achieve anything if they just sit on their hands. You have to give it a try, and see where you go from there. Working constantly and being patient is crucial. Success won’t come overnight. You have to be patient, and you will eventually reap the benefits of your hard work”, says Samed.
Another young entrepreneur we talked to shared similar advice. Arnes Hadžić graduated from a Secondary School of Commerce and used the funds from this program to open his own bakery. He says this is a good idea because he’s located close to a school, several local businesses and a road.
“I registered my business at the end of July and started paying all the salary contributions. I adapted a space for the bakery in my family house. I did most of the work by myself. I will be working alone in the beginning, and then maybe hire another person to work half-time if I need help. I went to Tešanj for training and I think that experience will be useful for running my business”, says Hadžić.
He never contemplated leaving the country, because he’s convinced he can succeed in BiH, which he’s already proved. Thanks to this program, he said he finally got the courage to start his own business.
“I faced some challenges and difficulties when I was buying the machinery, which is why I’m running late. I’m sorting it out though and expecting to start my business soon. It takes a lot of effort and patience, and you also have to be realistic. You have to be persistent, sometimes a little bit annoying. I kept trying for three years, and finally, my attempts have worked”, says Hadžić.
Haris Burek shares this opinion. He applied with a completely different idea during the previous call, but today, after refining his idea and vision, he succeeded in implementing them. He graduated from a high school for construction trades, got a job at a construction company, and then applied for this program.
“I decided to start a construction business, GP Konstruktor. I registered the business 6 months ago and now I have two employees. When I heard that another craftsman will stop working with stone and is selling his machines, I bought them from him and launched my business. I also make tombstones, and I’m the only one who makes them for all the religions in Jajce, Mrkonjić Grad, Šipovo and Jezero”, says Haris.
He says he’s thrilled with the results. He didn’t expect success to come so quickly, but it’s already clear now that thanks to the variety of services he offers he doesn’t have to worry about competition.
He never thought about leaving because of the love he feels for his country.
“You won’t find this air, this water, this food anywhere else. Everything is genetically modified outside of BiH. You can’t grow some vegetables for yourself, the quality of life isn’t there. Life is more about money and things. There’s also the spiritual aspect, the quality of life.
He wants other young people to know that the first step is the hardest, but if they’re brave enough to take it success is guaranteed.
“I’ve always wanted to start my own business, and this incentive gave me the boost I needed to go on. I always had a goal in life, and that’s the key to everything. Have a goal, dare to reach for it and you’ll succeed.”
This new young entrepreneur says he’s completely dedicated to his work.
“Even when you’re sleeping you’re working. Wherever you are you leave an impression on people and they’ll come to you if you have a smile on your face. You are the reflection of what you do.”
After only six months his business is self-sustainable, which is a major success. The only difficulty he’s facing currently is the transportation of large and heavy machinery, but he believes he will overcome that obstacle in time too.
Despite all the difficulties, challenges, doubts and fears, these young entrepreneurs prove that success is possible if you’re dedicated to developing your idea. Of course, all this requires support, which luckily they got from the Institute, Municipality of Jajce and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in BiH.
One thing can be said for sure – their success ultimately depends on their willingness to fight for their place in today’s society. On the market, among other people, in the world. These young people prove that success is built on having faith in your idea.
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