Radka Šušková, Barbora Šušková - What Creates Entrepreneurs?
78ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
ŽENY
I was born into a family that was
devoid of entrepreneurial tendencies.
Nonetheless, I believe that this was
precisely where I received a business
oriented foundation. I went through
many dream careers as a child, from
cosmonaut to atomic power plant
manager, and my parents supported me
every step of the way. They believed
that if I was able to focus on doing what
I wanted in life, then I could be happy.
They never told me that my dreams
lacked perspective or that something
was unachievable. It was my family that
allowed me to have confidence and work
on improving myself.
My entry point into business was in
the tourism industry around the time
of the Velvet Revolution. Back then
I tried maintaining a day job while doing
business and that was not sustainable.
I decided to fully devote myself to
business only 16 years ago. At the time
my husband had already become part
of the business sphere, which meant that
I had someone with whom to discuss what
it means to be an entrepreneur. Slowly,
but surely, business then became part
of our everyday lives.
Over the years I had my ups and downs,
and met people that respected similar
values and those that could not accept
much responsibility. We were hit by
both Covid and the economic crisis.
These kinds of situations are always
what pushes me forward the most. You
know that you are in control, and having
that ability to make your own decisions
is freeing.
I went through a succession process and
handed the leadership of a company off to
someone else, which allowed me to focus
on new business projects. This is what
gives me the most joy in life.
When I founded New Dimension all
those years ago, I had no idea how many
things in my life that would change.
Today, when I see that my daughter also
decided to be an entrepreneur, it makes
me happy. Whenever we meet, we
exchange experiences and look to each
other for inspiration.
I believe that the businesses my husband
and I led likely influenced our daughter,
because she was along for the ride on both
of our business journeys. Unlike people that
first come into contact with business in their
adulthood, my daughter had the chance
to witness not only the successes but
also the difficulties in business, the stress,
financial insecurity and need to constantly
adapt to change. Thanks to this, she was
able to enter business with more realistic
expectations. At the same time, she also
saw how enriching, freeing and purposeful
business is.
What does my daughter think of this:
What gave you the impulse to start
a business on maternity leave?
The question was never “if” I would go into
business, but “when.” My first part-time
job was at New Dimension, I was 11 and
I cleaned the offices. When I reached
15 I went through many part-time jobs, my
parents always led me to be hardworking
and responsible. I worked as a waitress,
English teacher, at an ice cream shop,
long story short, there were a lot. This
gave me a lot of diverse experience,
and I realised that I could not imagine
working a 9 to 5 job. On maternity leave,
I finished my higher vocational education
and I decided that it was the perfect time
to become an entrepreneur. This decision
was also made easier by the fact that
mothers on maternity leave do not have
too many job prospects.
How are you balancing business with
raising your son?
My parents taught me to have a good
relationship with family, which is important
life advice. I am on great terms with both
my parents, and my husband’s family.
They are a very big part of how I was
able to take care of my son while going
into business. Even now, post-maternity
leave, they still help babysit him when
I am at work. Another important factor is
working efficiently, knowing why you make
certain moves and perfecting your time
management. My mother was the one that
helped me develop these skills. Currently,
as far as business is concerned, I split my
time between clients, whom I help better
understand their finances, and my team,
with whom I try to share my know-how and
lead them to success. For now, our team
has 6 members, but we are slowly growing.
What Creates
Entrepreneurs?
“
Over the years I had my ups
and downs, and met people
that respected similar values
and those that could not accept
much responsibility.
”
“
My parents played a very
important role.
”
Moo: I don’t wait for the rain
to stop, I learned to dance in
the rain.
Radka Šušková, owner of New Dimension, s.r.o. She works
as an interim manager, helping companies manage change. She
mentors business owners in the process of succession and
business development, assisng with strategy creaon. She
moderates conferences and panel discussions. For her work in
supporng entrepreneurship in the Moravian-Silesian Region,
she was awarded the Mercury Medal by the Czech Chamber
of Commerce. Her life moo is, "The world steps aside for
anyone who knows where they're going."
Barbora Šušková, sales manager and nancial consultant
for OVB Allnanz, a.s. She helps clients beer navigate
their nances and understand the market so they can take
full advantage of their opportunies. She supports young
people in kickstarng their careers in nance while sll in
school, as she herself began her entrepreneurial journey
as a student and a mother on maternity leave. As cered
trainer, she leads workshops on nancial literacy, me
management, and business development.