Disclaimer

1. Disclaimer These are lessons learned from my own personal experience. Different people have different priorities, different perceptions and different experiences. However, sharing our experiences can, maybe, make us wiser! after the first point: every person’s road to happiness and success is unique. after the first point: every person’s road to happiness and success is unique.

2. Tales From The Beyond Leaving a ‘safe’ environment to become an entrepreneur

3. Why? pic of university (ivy league) to junglepic of university (ivy league) to jungle

4. The Doubts No solid link between academic and business success Financial risk New learning process Less balanced life pic of distrust/ doubtful expression. there is evidence of the opposite! “Those that cannot do, teach”! Why was I successful in academia (job for life, prestige, best teacher)? pic of distrust/ doubtful expression. there is evidence of the opposite! “Those that cannot do, teach”! Why was I successful in academia (job for life, prestige, best teacher)?

5. Risk Pic of titanic sinking! It all boils down to advanced risk.Pic of titanic sinking! It all boils down to advanced risk.

6. Why? The emotional reasons: Feeling unsatisfied Feeling fulfilled Feeling intrigued Spouse’s support Easy transition publications, conferences, NEW HORIZONSpublications, conferences, NEW HORIZONS

7. The Facts Family business Open invitation to participate Own experience in the specific business Academic research Constant growth Opportunity identification

8. The Raise of Vanity Creations

9. Key Immediate Tasks Modernization Re-branding Re-Positioning Product mix/pricing strategy Communications New Suppliers New Markets Re-branding: the concept, pic of fur-coat from catalogueRe-branding: the concept, pic of fur-coat from catalogue

10. Challenges in a Family Business Line of authority Decision making Implementation Conflict resolution

11. From Family Business... to New Business Slow rate of change Possibility of straining family relations New opportunity identification Pics of an old guy versus a babyPics of an old guy versus a baby

12. Birth of Upper Club

13. The vision “Upper club aspires to create a strong brand in fine menswear retailing, with the aim of expanding thought-out the region of Southeast Europe. Working closely together with all our valued partners (customers, suppliers, employees) Upper Club wishes to assist individuals achieve their personal style standards and even exceed them.”

14. Opportunity Identification Long-term process Personal network research Market observation Access to suppliers Readiness stage of the market Access to (familiarity with) the market

15. Strategic Window

16. Start-Up Challenges Choice of Partners Location Branding Construction Infrastructure Personnel Imports

17. Continuous Challenges Brand awareness and brand knowledge Customer base building Product mix/ pricing strategy HR Volatile environment 2nd both database and trust, legal plus the kosovo issue: consumer confidence, FDI and middle class.2nd both database and trust, legal plus the kosovo issue: consumer confidence, FDI and middle class.

18. Lessons from the Beyond Believe Difficult times are coming Change Adapt your model Network Be open to the world Use cost-effective communications TV ads are not always the best solution Careful of finances Start-up costs will be higher, secure working capital

19. ... And Life Goes On! Co-owner, member of the managing team of Upper Club Chief Marketing Strategist at Executive Group Honorary Lecturer at the University of Sheffield Lecturer at CITY Liberal Studies Acting President of CITY’s Alumni B2B Network Developer for Vanity Creations Company consultant and trainer

20. The Future is Ours! Its all about opportunity identification, and securing and managing what is needed to go after it. pic: the road ahead.Its all about opportunity identification, and securing and managing what is needed to go after it. pic: the road ahead.