Career paths - or how to achieve success

What is success and how to achieve it? Is it reaching a certain level of development established by society? Or is it the assurance of financial stability and a future peaceful life?

There are as many definitions of success in operation as there are people formulating them. To a large extent, success is constituted by one's own awareness of achieving a predetermined goal, based on persistent work combined with an effective idea of how to achieve it. Undoubtedly, there are certain established, repeatedly proven in practice determinants of success, and necessary conditions, the failure to meet which excludes the mere functioning in the economy, not to mention the intention to realize more spectacular ambitions - to reach the top of the business rankings. How did those who are already credited with being successful reach their goals? What guided them? What, according to them, should we pay attention to once we have sailed into the waters of the savvy current of market competition?

"Sweet plans"

- Everyone has the right to a better life," says Malgorzata Michalska - owner of the Michalscy Confectionery chain. Wife, mother and businesswoman in one person - a "trinity of relentlessness". How did she start, how did she achieve success and what is the result of her experience?

Małgorzata Michalska showed industriousness and eagerness to work as a child, helping out on the family farm in the country house. She herself says that her further life and career development were conditioned by an irresistible desire to be independent. Contrary to popular opinion, the breakthrough - a stimulating moment in her professional life - turned out to be the appearance of her first child. The new situation gave birth to an opportunity, which the heroine seized by starting her mini-industry, which consisted of selling used children's clothes. It soon became apparent that this idea was slow to catch on. On the winding road of finding her place among entrepreneurs, with the baggage of experience accumulated while running her first business, the search for a market niche continued. - This was the impetus," says Ms. Margaret. - Many people advised me against pursuing the idea of a confectionery business. They said that, after all, people prefer homemade products, but this was just an argument proving my side. I wanted to give customers exactly what they expected - delicious, homemade, sweet baked goods.

The idea turned out to be a hit. The increased interest in Ms. Michalska's products went hand in hand with their high quality. One pastry shop, where it started, very quickly turned into their entire chain. - As time passed, we changed locations to larger ones and opened more outlets. Soon the idea of expanding the business came up and we started making sandwiches, and after a few moments we were doing all the catering. At the moment, we run 12 pastry shops and a large banquet hall with a capacity of 1,500 people, where we already have seats booked for next year's proms," Michalska says.

"Mediterranean Sense"

- A man learns throughout his life - this very true saying is put into practice by the owner of a chain of Mediterranean restaurants in Warsaw - Mr. Jacek. A successful entrepreneur, owner of a business spark - a "young wolf". What guided him on his way to his goal and what does reaching the top look like from his perspective?

The beginnings of the business were as early as they were successful. At just 11 years old, Mr. Jacek, on hot days, distributed cold drinks to thirsty soldiers stationed at a nearby unit, buying them in advance from an acquainted cafe and charging an appropriate margin. He inherited the business vein from his father, and initially earned a lot of sacrifices and savings. During the mini-store period, a business that lasted 3 years, our entrepreneur accumulated profits so that he had the start-up capital to carry out further projects. After a period of casual initiatives, it was time to implement his own original idea. How to make money by putting your own dreams into practice? - They say that money lies on the street, you just have to reach for it. - says Mr. Jacek - Together with my brother-in-law we decided to open a restaurant. We wanted it to be kept in a Mediterranean climate. We could already see the bustle of conversations of satisfied customers and wonderful smells wafting through the stylish interior. So we hired an architect, the work on finishing the restaurant took several months. The final result was stunning," says the owner. - In a short time, thanks to advertising and very good customer feedback, the restaurant began to "earn its own money." So we decided to open a second one, and then another. That's how we became the owners of 5 great establishments.

What can we conclude from the above stories, what is the most important factor for success? The road to it is winding and usually leads uphill, but in both cases we can clearly see two qualities that unite these characters. It is diligence and an open mind to new patterns of thinking.

Being able to adapt "frames" to one's needs, rather than conforming to them, laced with a fair amount of persistent work is a sure recipe for success.