In April of this year, the Czech-Moravian Association of Female Entrepreneurs and Managers (CMAFEM) elected a new president, Romana Krejsová, who previously served as the association’s vice-president. In the past, she was a model and later held managerial positions in financial services and insurance. Now, she works with her husband as the head of Farma Kněžství agricultural services in Žamberk, eastern Bohemia. Mrs Krejsová talked to us about her intentions as president of the CMAFEM.

Mrs Krejsová, in April of this year, you were elected as the new president of the CMAFEM. What does this mean to you? Could you give us a rundown of your first months in the position?

To me, this opportunity presents a chance to develop myself and my career, tackle new challenges and build new projects. Being vice-president for four years taught me how to balance my schedule. Being the president of the CMAFEM, however, carries with it even more responsibilities—maintaining the association’s function, overseeing all projects, and making sure all of our members are satisfied. I now do more networking to look for and secure new avenues for cooperation. We are gradually preparing new projects while updating existing ones.

Until now, your focus was mainly on communication development, social media, event organization and member acquisition. Will you continue to concentrate on these ventures? What changes can we expect to see with you at the association’s head?

Yes, I agree, and I believe that we were successful in what we were doing. Our social media presence grew and we welcomed a couple of new, interesting faces to our fold. The activities you listed will now mainly be under my supervision, however, I intend to actively participate, as well. Event organisation, for example, will, in certain cases, be something that I will still actively be involved in. Under my leadership, we will continue organising existing events such as the exclusive Veuve Clicquot Dinner with Conference, which provides successful women with a great networking opportunity. Nonetheless, we are preparing new events, as well. In May, we started our Youth Laser Coaching programme, the primary goal of which is to teach women how to properly make use of their best properties. If a life imbalance is affecting your well-being, productivity and energy, these courses can help you remedy that. In September, you can look forward to the opening of our Forbes Ideal Place Women’s Growclub. It will be focused on the support of female business owners of small- to medium-sized Czech companies, helping streamline management and assist growth. The Growclub will follow a strong ethical codex so that women can feel free to openly share their troubles and receive guidance.

Could you tell us what major goal have you set for yourself in this upcoming year?

Currently, our main goals include building up a wider web of cooperation between regional clubs, setting up certain internal processes and updating our website along with the membership benefits section. Next, I would like to focus on magnifying the fluidity and satisfaction of our cooperation with members and partners. Last but not least, I want to ensure the smooth operation of our projects while maximising their capacity. Further steps would then include an update of the Women 50+ project and a revival of the Next Generation project, which had to be halted due to the COVID pandemic. These two programmes are aimed at young, talented individuals because children are our future. We would like to place our children on the right path and show them the ropes of business at a young age. We want to teach them the value of time, work, money and having good morals.

What do you consider to be the CMAFEM’s main mission and what, specifically, do you think it gave or taught you?

The CMAFEM’s motto is, ‘We help women grow and do business’. We fulfil this goal through all of the projects we have in store for our members and through intensive cooperation with them. Networking and cross-selling are endorsed within the association. We also organise business missions abroad which allow us to support not only our members but other local businesswomen, as well. All of this gives our members new opportunities to grow as people and expand their business potential.

You were once a model; you have worked in finance and insurance; and now you operate in ecological agriculture. All of this makes you somewhat of a Renaissance woman. What field is closest to you nowadays?

All my past career endeavours helped me develop my ability to adapt to new fields, which is very helpful for the current work I do at the association. Economics and administrative work are big parts of agriculture. The current economic situation is proof of this. As to what field is closest to me right now? Definitely agriculture. You see, it is only after one truly has a solid grasp of this field that one learns the real importance of proper soil and crop upkeep. Thinking ahead and managing the state in which we hand over our soil to the next generation is critical. The almost complete disappearance of generational succession further emphasises the necessity of this foresight.

You have built yourself quite the resume and have many ambitious goals for the future. Do you have a life motto?

When it comes to those goals you mentioned, recently I started using the motto, ‘You need to aim high to get your blood pumping’. Another one of my favourites is, ‘Never take criticism from someone you would not ask for advice’.

We know you live in Eastern Bohemia. How much time do you spend in the Moravian--Silesian Region? Do you have a favourite place here that you like to visit?

I grew up in the Moravian-Silesian Region, in Karlovice. I studied in Vrbno pod Pradědem and later in Ostrava. Therefore, the region is close to my heart; I always enjoy my time there and try to return regularly. Karlova Studánka is one of my personal favourite places. I cherish memories of when I used to spend my summers there, whether for relaxation or for a summer job at the spa resort.

Mrs Krejsová, thank you for the interview, and we wish you the best.

Text: redakce

Foto: archiv Romany Krejsové