Beginner Mistakes You Can’t Afford as an Entrepreneur
Every company faces numerous challenges at the start, but some mistakes can be fatal. One key statistic that guided us in our early steps was that 80% of startups fail within their first year of operation. How did we avoid this? We learned from our own mistakes.
The Key to Survival: Strategic Partnerships
Early on, we knew that connecting with industry partners was crucial. Our goal was to find a company that recognized the value of collaborating with us and to create a win-win situation.
An opportunity arose at the Podjetniški Trampolin program, run by the Saša Incubator, where we personally met Tanja Skaza, owner of Plastika Skaza. Our business idea — 100% biodegradable flower pots — caught attention, and we scheduled a meeting.
A Mistake That Nearly Cost Us the Partnership
We decided to send two representatives to the meeting: a development expert and a designer responsible for online communication. A mistake!
Our developer was a highly educated chemist but had one major flaw — a big ego. At the meeting, he openly stated that Plastika Skaza lacked the technology and knowledge to understand the behavior of biomaterials in practice. Worse still, he promised certificates and technical data we didn’t actually have.
The meeting quickly turned unsuccessful, and as the founder, I ended it as soon as possible. Immediately upon returning home, I wrote an apology to the Head of Research and Innovation and emphasized that we would reconnect once we had concrete solutions.
How We Recovered from the Wrong Decision
Since our developer was unsuitable for leading key talks, we decided to find a new expert.
- We contacted European companies with technology for producing biodegradable materials, but 98% saw us as competitors.
- Only one expert — Dr. Karsten Brast from Germany — dared to collaborate with us.
- We started weekly Skype meetings, established daily communication, and gradually developed a joint strategy.
The result? A successful presentation at Chinaplas 2019 and strengthening our market position.
A Second Chance with Plastika Skaza
Six months later, we decided to reach out to Plastika Skaza again. This time, we:
✅ Introduced a new team member
✅ Presented a broader range of compostable materials
✅ Emphasized that our materials were food-contact safe and dishwasher-friendly
Their response? They immediately invited us to a meeting! This was followed by signing a cooperation agreement, an NDA, and the first delivery of materials.
The Greatest Lesson: Mistakes Are Opportunities for Growth
- Business is done with people, not companies — relationships and trust are key.
- If you make a mistake, minimize it — learn from every experience and focus on long-term goals.
- Strategic partnerships are essential — find partners who understand and complement your vision.
Every mistake is a new lesson. What matters is to learn something from it and move forward stronger. 🚀
Eva Štraser
Founder of the startup EVEGREEN
