On Wednesday, December 3rd, Aspira hosted the fourth edition of its traditional Entrepreneurial Advent, this year themed “Emotion as the New Currency of Entrepreneurship.”
In a time defined by digital transformation and constant change, the ability to recognize, interpret, and navigate human emotions is emerging as a decisive business advantage.
Through keynote sessions and a panel discussion, we examined how emotions have evolved into a powerful competitive edge, shaping authentic, successful brands and driving deeper, long-lasting customer loyalty.
The Role of Emotion in Leading Teams and Building a Business
Following the opening remarks, the Entrepreneurial Advent kicked off with a keynote address by Kristijan Matijašević, founder and CEO of Abnormal. In an inspiring and deeply authentic talk, he reminded the audience that neither career success nor financial gain holds real meaning unless an individual feels fulfilled and grounded from within.
The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion exploring just how essential social intelligence and emotional awareness are in leading teams and running a business, viewed through the lens of professionals from four distinctly different industries.
The panel was moderated by Mislava Zuppa and brought together Slavica Grkeš, representing the tourism sector; Damir Znaor from the world of sports; Danijell Nikolla from the local culinary scene; and Krešimir Čondić from the IT sector, who challenged the common stereotype that developers operate without emotional depth.
After the panel discussion, attendees were introduced to a selection of creative exhibitors:
Pine Pottery – Behind this brand is Vesna Medić, an economics graduate who traded numbers for clay. She creates distinctive, handcrafted ceramics inspired by the Mediterranean coastline.
Laferi Cake – Founded by young entrepreneur Erika Šarić, this brand is known for its unique cakes that resemble miniature works of art, celebrated for their meticulous details, inventive design, and flawless execution.
Nikolina Ursić – A creative artisan who has spent the past five years crafting diaper cakes and has since expanded her hobby to designing festive wreaths. Whatever she envisions, she skillfully transforms into one-of-a-kind, handmade decorative pieces.
Connection and Knowledge Sharing
The formal program of the Entrepreneurial Advent concluded with a festive raffle, after which guests moved to the Aspira Bar, where they were welcomed with a culinary selection prepared by our Gastronomy students.
The informal part of the gathering proved equally valuable, sparking great networking and new connections. Events like this continue to motivate and inspire the entrepreneurial community.
See you next year!
We look forward to reconnecting with you again! 🙂