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POSITIV MAN
Why did you choose the world
of wine in particular?
I do not drink beer or spirits, so wine felt
like a natural path for me, and once again
my life in Italy fits beautifully into that story.
That is also why I was happy to accept
the opportunity to become part of the Wine
of the Champions project – wines created
by champions. Today, the project includes
around fifteen to twenty footballers
from different parts of the world. Each
of us has our own wine and our own grape
variety. I chose mine according to what
I genuinely liked, of course with guidance
from experts as well.
What makes the story even more special
is that we continue meeting up even
after our careers. We visit vineyards
together or take part in professional
exhibitions. Among the most important are
ProWein in Düsseldorf, Vinitaly in Verona,
and in recent years also the exhibition
in Paris. We spend entire days there
presenting the wines, and I truly enjoy it.
I am also pleased that today I cooperate
with L‘Osteria across the Czech Republic.
Most importantly, though, I am proud that
the label is not just about the names Marek
Jankulovski, Ronaldinho or Roberto Carlos
– the wine itself genuinely has quality.
When I commit to something,
I do it properly. That is also why I want
to complete a sommelier course.
What convinced you to launch your own
perfume as well?
My first reaction, when the manufacturer
approached me, was honestly sceptical:
who is going to buy a perfume by Marek
Jankulovski? I am not an influencer,
and my playing career is already behind
me. But in the end, we spent about a year
discussing it and refining what it could look
like.
How is a perfume like that created? Did
you influence its composition?
I brought in two fragrances that were close
to me personally. Professional perfumers
then developed them further, and we
refined everything over several stages.
After a year, the MJ perfume was created
– fresh, summery and pleasant. Today,
people buy it and appreciate it. That kind
of feedback is what truly matters.
How has the transition from elite sport
influenced your approach to business?
In sport, everything was decided
in seconds. The right timing, the right
place, the decisive moment. In business,
that completely changes. Time still matters,
but in a very different way. What matters
here is patience, gradually building
trust, and being able to accept rejection
without panicking.
I might approach a potential client and they
tell me they are not interested in taking
the wine at the moment. That is perfectly
fine. A year later, the situation may be
completely different. That kind of mindset
did not really exist in sport, where decisions
were immediate. For me, that has probably
been the biggest shift in the way I think.
Do you see parallels between your career
and the stories of today’s entrepreneurs?
Very much so. I know successful
entrepreneurs who work nonstop
from Monday to Sunday. I understand
them, because when you want to succeed,
you give it everything, and free time, family
and holidays often end up pushed aside.
But there is always a trade-off.
For example, I could mention the owner
of Baník. He is a successful businessman,
but I can see how much energy it costs
him. At the same time, he simply does not
know how to rest. The fact that Baník may
not be doing well at the moment is just part
of life – in a month or two, everything can
look completely different. But I can see
the exhaustion, and I think to myself that
it is probably not entirely healthy.
You can be a successful entrepreneur
or win the Champions League, but you
only get one body. These people work
from Monday to Sunday and then start all
over again on Monday. That is also why
they are successful. And those are exactly
the things happening in the background that
other people never see. From the outside,
all people notice is the nice car and the big
house.
What do you think
about the New Bazaly project?
I am incredibly excited about it. I grew
up around Bazaly, and I still vividly remember
taking public transport to the Kamenec stop
near the Bazaly stadium, walking up the steps
and starting training. I know exactly what that
place means to Ostrava and to the fans.
Today, I go there for work two or three times
a week, and every single time I arrive, I get
goosebumps and imagine what the new
stadium will look like. When I saw the winning
design, I was genuinely delighted.
I believe that in five or six years’ time, we will
be going to a brand-new stadium. And once
it is built, I will be the first person to organise
a legends match there.
Ostrava has a unique ability to fill arenas
and create an atmosphere
that is not taken for granted elsewhere.
Why do you think that is?
Ostrava is simply different, and people
here stand together. Whenever there
is a major event, whether it is the Ice Hockey
World Championship, beach volleyball
or the Golden Spike meeting, everything
is packed. People do not want to miss
the chance to see famous athletes in action.
They do not focus so much on ticket
prices either – for them, the atmosphere
and showing support matter more.
Fans in Ostrava are exceptional. I honestly
do not think there are any others like them
in the country. And the proof? Milan Baroš
is having his farewell match in September,
and it sold out in eight hours. I called him
the next day to ask whether there might still
be tickets available, and he told me there
were none left. If the stadium had a capacity
of fifty thousand people, fifty thousand
would have come.
What would you say to people who live
and do business here?
First and foremost, believe in yourselves. Have
confidence, but also surround yourselves
with good people and, of course, a little
bit of luck. When all of those things come
together, a person can become successful.
In Ostrava, we have many successful people
across sport, business and culture.
Read the full interview at positiv.cz
You can be a successful
entrepreneur or win
the Champions League,
but you only get one body.