Students, 22, Open Zagreb Restaurant with Savings and Friendships

Dražen Martić and Tomislav Marenić, both 22-year-old students, have embarked on an entrepreneurial journey by opening their own tapas bar, Mojo Rojo, on Selska Street in Zagreb. Martić is studying law, while Marenić is pursuing mechanical engineering. Balancing their academic commitments with their new venture, the duo invested their personal savings and secured assistance from friends to establish the restaurant from the ground up.

The idea to open their own establishment emerged spontaneously during a coffee meeting on January 15. "We jokingly mentioned that we could open something of our own. The next day, we sat down more seriously, considered the possibilities, and defined the amount we could afford. If we can work full-time, why not work for ourselves?" recalls Martić.

Initially, their plan involved working in the hospitality industry during the summer, potentially traveling to America for a "Work and Travel" program to earn additional capital before opening Mojo Rojo in the fall. However, circumstances shifted when they learned that a space previously occupied by another restaurant became available. This led to a rapid series of events, and within a month, they secured the location, abandoning their plans for America and diving into the renovation of their own establishment.

The renovation process was intense, taking about a month. They transformed the space, which had a blue and white maritime theme, into their envisioned concept. "We invested our own savings and borrowed some money," they explain, noting that the renovation costs were lower than initially anticipated. They attribute some of their success to a strong network of contacts who have been supportive, including former employers who now refer customers to Mojo Rojo. The students emphasize their passion for their work, their respect for customers, and their commitment to giving their best effort.

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U tom trenutku, kaže, plan je bio nešto drukčiji. Htjeli smo Mojo Rojo otvoriti na jesen, a prije toga otići na Work and Travel u Ameriku, zaraditi dodatni novac i tako prikupiti početni kapital.