Gracija Požar and Kristijan Piplica have decided to build their future in their hometown of Knin, turning hobbies and dreams into successful business ventures. Their journey shows how determination can create space for entrepreneurship even in smaller communities.
At a time when many young people are leaving for bigger cities or abroad in search of a better life, Gracija Požar and Kristijan Piplica made the opposite move. They returned to Knin and began developing their own business ideas there, proving that success is possible even in smaller communities.
Gracija spent some time in Zagreb, where she studied and worked in costume design for nearly ten years. However, a strong connection to Knin and a passion from her free time set her on a new path.
"I studied in Zagreb for a period. Of course, before that, I was born and lived in Knin and experienced that, perhaps, the most beautiful childhood period. Certain memories tie you to a place. So, let's say that's why I stayed. And before that, we got horses, we had them as a hobby, and that hobby has now become a business," Gracija told Danas.net.hr.
Due to the demanding life with two children and constant travel, she decided to turn her passion for horses into a source of income. "Now I'm turning that hobby into a business. Now the hobby is the business, and the business is the hobby. I've flipped everything," she added.
Before returning, Kristijan Piplica lived in Austria. Even while abroad, the sense of belonging and closeness to family and friends never left him.
"For me, it was primarily about family, friends, and that feeling of being home. In Knin, I truly always feel at home. You miss that sense of freedom that I perhaps didn't have in Austria, and I always dreamed of returning to my city," Kristijan said.
He currently manages two hospitality venues in Knin. One operates seasonally, while the other is open year-round. He managed to launch them within three years of each other, and one of them is located in a city space co-financed with European Union funds. "So, we young people got the opportunity to grow and work for young people," he emphasized.
Kristijan believes there are plenty of opportunities for development in Knin but stresses the importance of initiative. "There is definitely potential and work in the city of Knin. However, a young person must always be the one to take the lead, and the older generation will support young people. That always happens in Knin," he said.
Gracija, through her equestrian club, aims to provide younger generations with experiences and memories of growing up similar to those she had. "The city where I grew up, where I lived those years that we always associate with childhood. Through my club and the work I do with horses, I hope to give them a piece of that, so they too have similar memories to mine," she said.
The decision to return to Knin was met with misunderstanding from Kristijan's family. "My parents told me I wasn't normal and asked why I was coming back. That generation is not a generation of risk-takers; they are not the ones to make a leap and do something different. They didn't understand it," he explained.
Over time, the situation completely changed. "Today, my parents are actually my biggest support in my business and work, organizing festivals and events. Times change. We young people are the drivers, and especially on days like this, we remember that life goes on and that we should look to the future, not the past," Kristijan concluded.
Both believe that Knin has a future and hope that their stories will inspire other young people to consider staying or returning to their city.
