WOMEN IN SMALL BUSINESSES (WISB)

Eko Jasmina (Jasmina Cusic): Mostar’s Jasmina Cusic started “Eko Jasmina”, a small store for organic fruits and vegetables, five years ago to “revolt against the system in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” as she says. Despite her advanced degrees as a graduate professor of the English language, Jasmina could not find a job because she was not a member of a political party. But something positive emerged from this situation – she has started a business which is growing stronger every day and attracting more and more people.

Bashka Chocolatier (Merjem Hamzic): Merjem Hamzic is a young entrepreneur who decided to give up her job in the banking sector for one in a chocolate workshop. She and her husband founded “Bashka chocolate,” their own homemade brand. She says that the idea for the shop sprang from a combination of her husband’s love of chocolate and her creativity and imagination.

DoolZee (Ajla Aljic): “Pure love” – this is how Ajla Aljic from Ilijas describes her brand nightgown brand “DoolZee,” which she created for all women who have an eye for a quality piece of clothing. After high school, she began studying comparative and world literature in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Sarajevo, but her desire to start a family prevailed, and she decided to drop out of college. Although she is now a divorced and single mother of two girls, this has not stopped her from pursuing a creative career and achieving her dreams through starting a private business.

Bellen Cosmetics (Amila Muratovic): Natural cosmetics are becoming more popular with consumers, especially those who prefer natural and creative products instead of products with good advertising. But, starting a small business of your own is not easy, especially if you are also a student. Amila Muratovic from Zivinice has successfully tackled this challenge – she has started Bellen Cosmetics, a brand of handmade cosmetics using natural waxes, vegetable oil, and essential oils. On their website, you can find mirrors, teas, and serums, among other things – everything you need for beautiful skin.

Piccola Café in Banja Luka (Sladjana Palikuca): Young entrepreneur Sladjana Palikuca tears down prejudices about being a barista, which is often thought to be a man’s job. She started down this career path during high school, and today she is the proud owner of the Piccola Café in Banja Luka. The coffee is served with different motifs drawn in the foam in this charming shop to make guests feel welcomed while drinking their favorite beverage. Sladjana stresses that women must work twice as hard to survive in the business world and are often not taken seriously.

SaponiFly (Dijana Markus): Although these days, irresistible scents spread through her home as she makes her soaps, Dijana says that the beginning was not easy. The first soap she made ended up in the trash, but she did not let that get the best of her. Instead, it drove her to try harder. “I went step by step. Every time the soaps were better, and I was happier”, adds Dijana with a smile.