The Fusion of Art and Entrepreneurship – An Interview with Ena Begičević-Čeliković
Although statistics change daily, women are still a minority in the entrepreneurial world. That’s why we are always excited when we see a successful business run by a woman. One such business was started by Ena Begičević-Čeliković, an entrepreneur from Zenica, who turned her idea into reality in a very interesting artistic sector.
Ena graduated in Product Design from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo. After her studies, she worked as a furniture designer for two companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and exhibited her projects at prestigious European furniture and interior design fairs.
Although she was very successful in her job, Ena felt that she wasn’t fully utilizing her potential. She left her job and, in 2020, started her own design studio in Zenica called Elosso. Her entrepreneurial idea is based on providing creative support primarily to furniture manufacturers, and then to other interested parties. In addition to its primary role, Elosso is also a concept store – a shop where many Bosnian Herzegovinian artistic brands are exhibited, whose stories this young entrepreneur finds interesting and appealing.
Throughout her career, Ena has also worked as an assistant at the University of Zenica, where she passes on her knowledge and experience in design to students. Occasionally, she collaborates with the Bosnian National Theatre, where she expresses her creativity through costume design.
Given her fascinating career, we were eager to have a more detailed conversation with this talented entrepreneur. In the interview, she shared the challenges she faced on her entrepreneurial journey, as well as advice for women who wish to venture into starting their own businesses.
Inspiration for Starting Her Own Business
Unlike many entrepreneurs who come from entrepreneurial families, Ena did not have such an example in her immediate family. Ena is the first entrepreneur in her family and created her own path through her vision and initiative, which makes her success even more impressive.
Given the lack of an entrepreneurial role model in her close surroundings, the first thing we wanted to know was what motivated Ena to take the leap and start her own business. Ena clearly emphasized her desire for more flexibility and autonomy, adding that the nature of her profession allows for freedom in organizing time and taking advantage of additional business opportunities available in the environment, which she was missing out on because she was an employee. This simply did not fit into her vision of the future, as she felt her creative capacities were not being fully utilized.
Today, Ena feels fulfilled, as she believes that through her work at Elosso, she can contribute to the community and the city in which she operates, providing something more than just a business service.
Finances as the Biggest Challenge
For most future entrepreneurs, finances are the main obstacle to entering these waters. Ena started Elosso using partly her own funds, and also received support from the IMPAKT foundation, which recognized the quality of her business idea and provided financial encouragement. This combination of personal capital and community support allowed her to start her business on solid foundations.
Managing finances is often the most sensitive part of running a business, and Ena pointed out that this was her biggest challenge. Although she had no prior knowledge of this aspect of business, she soon realized that education was the key to overcoming this obstacle, and by investing in her knowledge, she successfully overcame this challenge as well.
Because of her faith in her idea, Ena quit her job before starting Elosso and fully dedicated herself to her entrepreneurial venture. Since she invested all her energy into her studio, it took only a few months for her to start generating income, which is an inspiring fact for all future entrepreneurs.
Facing Obstacles and Failures
Every entrepreneur faces failures, and Ena says she views them as opportunities for growth. "I don't see failures as defeats, but as opportunities to learn," says Ena, adding that these are challenges to overcome, from which one can gain new lessons that will strengthen them for the future.
We also asked Ena about the obstacles specific to the industry she works in, as it's not common to see artists in the business world. Ena says there are certainly many challenges, and if we want to help this category of future entrepreneurs, it's crucial to popularize art and craftsmanship to highlight the value of the products and services coming from this sector.
A Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
Since the furniture industry is predominantly male, Ena points out that she also faced gender inequality, which often resulted in the underestimation of her business skills. When we asked her how she would overcome such challenges, Ena responded that she worked on her communication and negotiation skills, which allowed her to carve out her place in the industry.
When it comes to increasing the representation of women in the furniture industry, Ena believes that change must start with women themselves. "Women must first see themselves as equals and professionals in their work so that others can view them that way," she emphasizes. Only when women recognize their own value and capacity can they fight for greater representation in any industry, including this one.
To all women who wish to succeed in this sector, Ena advises persistence and determination. She believes that these traits are key to long-term success, regardless of how many challenges they face.
Advice for Artists Starting Their Own Business
Being a woman in the furniture industry is just as difficult as being an artist in the entrepreneurial world. The combination of these two challenging categories places enormous pressure on one's personal development to survive and succeed. We were curious to know what advice Ena would give to all artists in Bosnia and Herzegovina who wish to become entrepreneurs. "Creative knowledge and skills that artists have are an excellent foundation for creating an original product or service. However, besides the love for the work we do, to run a successful business, it is necessary to start thinking like an entrepreneur, and the key is to recognize a business opportunity."
Ena’s story can inspire not only women but also all artists, as it is not easy to be either in the business world. Ena’s example proves that an original idea, dedication, faith, and persistence can truly bring fantastic results if you focus on what you are passionate about. We can’t wait to witness Ena’s future successes and are wholeheartedly cheering for her.
