Maruša was recently named the winner of the FEM-Up Academy after delivering an outstanding pitch at the grand final held in Maribor in June 2025, presenting her business idea MAWE – Cement Tiles. In this interview, she shares her entrepreneurial journey and reflects on how participating in the Academy became a decisive step in transforming her business idea into a reality.
Now that your FEM-Up experience has ended with a victory – looking back, what resonates most strongly with you? What is the feeling, memory, or moment that stays with you? And if we go back to the beginning – what was that first spark that inspired you to embark on an entrepreneurial path and choose the FEM-Up Academy?
I found out about the FEM-Up Academy through an article online and saw this opportunity for additional education as a wonderful springboard and a solid foundation for starting my own business journey. The entire experience left many impressions, but what I’ll remember most are the encouragements and firsthand experiences shared by successful female entrepreneurs who also lead very active personal lives – proving that it is possible to have both.
Your idea convinced the jury – what do you think was your ‘X factor’ that set you apart from the rest?
I didn’t expect to win; I found the ideas of the other participants extremely interesting and well thought out. However, with the help of mentors throughout the entire educational process, I managed to establish a truly solid business structure. With some maneuvering (which is always necessary in the business world), we developed an interesting business plan for a product that has long been searching for its spotlight in the market.
The FEM-Up Academy was developed as part of an international consortium of six partners from Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta, Turkey, and Slovenia, under the leadership of DOBA Business School from Slovenia, known for its long-standing commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the empowerment of women in education. How did being part of such a diverse and international environment influence your experience — and what role did collaboration, mentorship, or networking play in shaping and developing your business idea?
The FEM-Up Academy platform is very well designed – the learning materials are visually engaging and supported with video content. The webinars provided a relaxed environment for gaining firsthand information, and we were also individually mentored. What helped me the most was networking – through it, I reshaped and upgraded my initial idea and gained contacts with other entrepreneurs and business incubators.
What key competencies did you gain during the Academy? And which ones would you like to strengthen further in the future?
I gained extensive knowledge in entrepreneurship – from developing an idea, creating a business plan, pitching the idea, and other entrepreneurial tools. We also received a lot of practical advice for understanding the market and dealing with challenges. In the future, I would like to upgrade all the knowledge I’ve gained, especially by acquiring more practical experience.
Before the FEM-Up Academy began, we conducted a survey in six partner countries, which showed that many young women with great ideas never take the first step – mainly due to fear of failure and lack of confidence. How do you see this? Have you ever experienced this feeling yourself – and how did you overcome it?
I’m aware that it’s especially difficult for young women to enter the world of entrepreneurship, and it’s often stigmatized by society. I personally don’t fear failure – I see it as inevitable in entrepreneurship – but through the Academy, we learned that perseverance is the key to success. What held me back was a lack of support and courage, but I gained both during the Academy.
What message would you send today to other young women who are still waiting for the “right moment”?
Don’t wait! Of course, having a good plan is very important, as is acquiring knowledge and experience beforehand and along the way – but it’s essential to set clear goals and a timeline. You’re thrown into the business world and learn to swim – it all depends on your willpower.
What would you say is key to success today – besides a good idea? What did you learn from this experience?
Personality, perseverance, putting yourself out there and overcoming many challenges, and of course strong personal values that serve as a moral compass. Also, adaptability – which today’s market demands. Through this experience, I learned exactly that: how to reshape an initial idea so that it is tailored to the market and current customer needs.
