"All personal and professional growth happens when you leave your comfort zone. When we go beyond the limits of what we know, then we truly get to know ourselves, our capacities, and what you as an individual can provide and contribute.''

When we love what we do and do what we love - the passion for new goals, strategies, and learning never stops. This is just one of the reasons why Jelena Gavrilović started the prestigious Molèn Academy, intended for all creatives who want to improve their skills in the field of digital marketing, design, brand management, project management... and following the latest trends and innovations on the global market. We're already in the sign-up queue, and if you need a little encouragement, read the interview to inspire and empower you to make some (necessary) new beginnings especially if you are a woman who dreams big.

How did you come up with the idea to found an academy dedicated to professional development and education, in line with trends and innovations in the global market?

I have spent several years of my life in the countries of the region, first of all in Bosnia and Herzegovina where I was born and grew up, after that in Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia, I saw huge potential, and the need for people, in addition to formal education, to be additionally educated following the trends of modern business of every company, regardless of activity or size.

I noticed that the existing offer of educational programs is inadequate when it comes to informal education and that there is a large disproportion between supply and demand in the labor market. The economy needs good staff, especially in areas such as the areas that our programs cover (Marketing, Digital Marketing, Interior Design, Creative Writing, etc.).

The basic principles of Molèn Academy's work are creativity, innovation, and expertise. How do you implement them through your programs?

First of all, the knowledge and experience of our lecturers. All Molèn programs are created by innovations on the market and are regularly updated according to novelties and trends. The learning approach is such that the groups are limited to several participants, so each participant has enough time to research and apply specific knowledge and skills to their product/service, in their work. We encourage participants' creativity with interactive lectures, case studies, and simulations of real situations concerning certain ubiquitous challenges in business.

From digital marketing and copywriting, through interior design and graphic design, all the way to project management - how do you select the programs, workshops, and courses of the Molèn Academy?

The mission of the Molèn Academy is to create additional education and programs by constantly listening to the needs of the market. In addition to the various fields that we have at Molèn Academy, we also do various training formats: one semester - which lasts 5 months, where the whole range of topics that make up a whole at the end is covered, then more concise training formats that focus on one specific topic, one-day workshops, online lectures. I think it is important that, in addition to the selection of the programs themselves, we give clients different options, which are in line with their business, private time, and interests.

And what makes them different from everyone else on the market?

The idea from the very foundation was to offer something different, unique, meaningful, and necessary. The competition is great, it inspires us to be even better, although our only mission is to constantly beat ourselves. Our programs are different. They differ in their approach to students, dedication, quality of teaching, and the opportunity to work 1 on 1 with the biggest names in the mentioned industries. Lecturers are also mentors, they work on constant improvement of individuals, which ultimately leads us to our ultimate goal, a high level of newly acquired knowledge and satisfaction of our participants.

Based on your experience, what is the ideal ratio of talent - education - and hard work to achieve success?

I think that the main ingredient of any success is hard work, supported by constant education, and talent is a factor that helps you overcome all obstacles faster. You can be talented at something, but if you don't work on yourself and don't have a good education, the path to success is not guaranteed. Success is an inevitable result of hard work and constant improvement. I truly believe that "a person learns while living".

You balance your private life and career very successfully, setting an example for other women - especially entrepreneurs - not to give up on their goals. What were your main challenges, and what were the mechanisms for overcoming them?

The key to any success is balance. The most challenging period for me was when, after the pandemic period, I terminated the partnership in the company and continued to manage the entire business alone, while at the same time meeting the man of my life, and then marriage, pregnancy, and the birth of a wonderful girl. The challenge of motherhood is a whole new dimension of life. It was very difficult to balance all that with my work obligations, while not asking myself if I was a good enough mother, wife, or businesswoman.

Every entrepreneur knows that there is no real "maternity leave" for us, because you are constantly on the phone, in emails, in some parallel universe where you are also necessary. The main mechanism is proper prioritization and impeccable organization of every moment. Everything in life is possible to achieve if you know what you want and if you have clearly defined goals and priorities. All this, followed by good organization, brings that result of balance. If in addition to all this, you have the support of close people, family, and colleagues, it is truly an additional blessing.

What inspires you to push the boundaries?

All personal and professional growth happens when you leave your comfort zone. When we go beyond the boundaries of what we know, then we truly get to know ourselves, our capacities, and what we as an individual can provide and contribute, first of all to our family, and then to the society in which we live.

Who is the Molèn Academy intended for?

Precisely for all those who want to push their limits, to get out of their comfort zone. Anyone who wants to develop, learn something new, or improve existing knowledge and skills.

How does Molèn Academy connect with industry and enable students to put their creative skills into practice?

First of all, Molèn Academy lecturers are industry professionals. From the first day, all our students have the opportunity to get an internship in leading companies from the region (if they are not employed or if they express a desire for a career change). We are building a "Talent Base" for partner companies, and in this way, we contribute to raising the employment rate in the country, as well as in the region. We have created an internal LinkedIn alumni group, where we stay in touch with the participants, and continuously inform them about novelties and business opportunities.

And finally, tell us what advice you would give to creatives, artists, and all those who dream big?
Giving up is never an option. Work on yourself, learn, and improve. Knowledge is power.

Tara Dukić, Elle Serbia