Zajarošová, Vaněčková: Business as a Family Story
98 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
Business
as a Family Story
A Brand that Matures with the Family
When Taťána Břenková Zajarošová founded ELEGANCE s.r.o. in the 1990s, luxury cosmecs were
sll new to the Czech market. She believed, however, that quality care had its place here too,
and gradually built a stable company around the Sothys brand. Today, she is handing over
its leadership to her daughter, Sandra Vaněčková. In an open interview, she shares what it takes
to pass on responsibility in a family business, how to combine tradion with new impulses,
and why trust maers more than perfecon.
Taťána, How did ELEGANCE s.r.o. come into being
and what inspired you to pursue entrepreneurship?
After the Velvet Revolution, I lived in France, where I first
discovered the Sothys brand. I was fascinated by the
French philosophy of beauty as a natural part of one’s
lifestyle. In 1993, I obtained exclusive representation
of the brand for what was then Czechoslovakia.
I founded the company with two small children and a
firm belief that a brand with such strong professional
expertise had its place in our market.
What were your beginnings as an entrepreneur like?
Do you recall a turning point?
The beginnings were not easy. Luxury cosmetics
were something new – women were not used
to investing in self-care. I personally travelled with
samples, trained beauticians, and translated materials.
The breakthrough came when clients started asking
for the products themselves. At that moment, I knew
the brand truly had its place here.
When did you start thinking about handing over
the company—and that your daughter would be the
one to continue leading the business?
Sandra has been connected to the company since
childhood. She helped out during her studies and later
joined the marketing team. She went through the entire
structure and naturally grew into the business. What
mattered was that the decision was hers. When I saw
that she cared about the company and understood its
values, it became clear to me. I also realised how lucky
I am: many of my peers are dealing with not having
anyone to pass their company on to.
At what stage is the handover process in? What has
already been achieved and what still lies ahead?
Sandra is now the managing director, taking responsibility
for both strategy and day-to-day operations. I remain
in a supporting role and have more room for networking.
The process is structured and we’re supporting it through
work with coaches. We’ve divided responsibilities and are
setting up a new structure. We’re learning to function
within a new dynamic and to trust that the next chapter
will follow on naturally.
Mgr. Taťána Břenková Zajarošová is the founder
of ELEGANCE s.r.o., the exclusive distributor of Sothys
Paris for the Czech Republic. Aer more than thirty years
at the helm, she is currently undergoing a structured
succession process, under which she is handing over
leadership to her daughter, Sandra Vaněčková.
The incoming owner of ELEGANCE s.r.o. is Ing. Sandra
Vaněčková. She is gradually assuming management
responsibilies as part of the structured succession
process. Her focus is on modernising the brand,
developing markeng, and linking tradion with new
direcons that will drive the company’s further growth.
I built the company as my “third child.” It’s
hard to stop being the only one who knows
everything and makes every decision.