Design, Courage, and the Unpolished Path to Success

Reflections from the Youth Conference on Women’s Entrepreneurship, Ohrid 2025

On November 11th, 2025, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Youth Conference on Women’s Entrepreneurship at the Youth Center in Ohrid—an event devoted to empowering young people through honest conversations, creative exploration, and shared experience.

I joined a panel alongside three inspiring women entrepreneurs:

• Tijana Cresenzi (Vinstreet)

• Monika Kocareva Ergić (Atelier Kocareva)

• Emilija Aleksijoska (Studio77)

Although our backgrounds differed, one theme united us: the path to success is rarely linear, and creativity often grows in the spaces where uncertainty and curiosity meet.

Speaking About the Process Behind the Work

My talk focused on an idea I deeply believe in—as designers, creators, or entrepreneurs, we don’t simply produce outcomes; we navigate processes full of iteration, doubt, learning, and reinvention. Yet those parts of the journey are often invisible.

During the panel, we discussed how creativity requires courage:

• the courage to test ideas before they’re polished,

• the courage to learn publicly,

• and the courage to keep going when the path becomes messy.

These experiences shape not only our work, but also the people we become through it.

A Space for Authentic Conversation

Instead of a formal workshop, the event unfolded as an open, honest dialogue. Young participants asked thoughtful questions—about beginnings, failures, confidence, and the practical realities of building something meaningful.

The atmosphere felt less like a panel and more like a shared creative space, where every participant contributed to the conversation. It reminded me how important it is to create environments where emerging creators can connect directly with those a few steps ahead on the journey.

Why This Moment Mattered

Speaking at this conference reaffirmed something essential: communities grow when we make space for vulnerability and learning. Events like this one bridge experience with ambition and allow young people to see that success isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence, curiosity, and support.

I am grateful to everyone who participated, listened, and contributed. Their energy made the event meaningful and authentic, and their questions reminded me why mentoring and open dialogue matter in both design and entrepreneurship.