How I Built a Successful Start-up from Scratch: My Entrepreneurial Journey
From Manufacturing to Entrepreneurship
Five years ago, I hadn’t even heard of the start-up scene, let alone imagined founding a start-up that would attract domestic and international investments.
Before that, I was employed as a quality manager and a 20% co-owner of a family business that specialized in plastic injection molding for industrial partners. But in reality, I wasn’t a manager—I was a jack-of-all-trades. Most of my time was spent in production, performing daily measurements, managing ISO standards, organizing work documentation, handling complaints, and much more.
I invested a lot of effort, but without real decision-making power, I could never achieve 100% implementation. Everyone has their own battles, and it was hard to stand out. But the moment came when I had to put my priorities first.
First Steps Toward My Own Company
Once you decide to change, you start seeking new challenges. I realized I had to begin where I was and use everything I had at my disposal.
Even before officially founding the company, we started building recognition—we created a Facebook page to raise awareness about microplastics and their harmful effects. We organized a challenge called “Can you survive a day without plastic?” and gained over 500 followers in one month, who are now our ambassadors.
Founding the Start-up: Key Challenges
When I founded the company, I quickly realized that all my previous experiences had been excellent preparation for working in a start-up environment.
💡 The biggest challenge?
My husband and I decided to invest our own capital in development, which meant we had to create maximum added value from scratch. This required a lot of resourcefulness and knowledge across different fields—from finance, marketing, and sales to production and design.
💡 The most important lesson?
You can’t be an expert in everything, so it’s crucial to build an excellent team. That’s how Roman, a design expert, and Dr. Karsten, a specialist in compostable materials, joined us.
Entrepreneurship Is Like Marriage — Not an Impulse Decision
Starting a company with multiple founders is like a marriage—you don’t decide impulsively. Chemistry between partners, shared mindset, vision, and ability to collaborate are crucial.
The Biggest Challenge in the First Month? Business Finances!
Although I had avoided finance in the past, I had to learn the basics. Cash flow, profit, and loss became part of my daily routine.
With every month that brought more stable cash flow, I could breathe easier. Order confirmations, articles in foreign media, being selected among the top 30 at an EU competition, and a gold innovation award from the regional chamber of commerce were confirmations that we were on the right path.
What’s Next? Even Bigger Challenges!
I realize more turbulent times lie ahead, but I truly look forward to them!
Start-up entrepreneurship is demanding but offers invaluable experiences. If you’re considering your own entrepreneurial path, my advice is simple:
👉 Start where you are.
👉 Use what you have.
👉 Do the best you can!
Eva Štraser
Founder of the Start-up EVEGREEN
