Nina Angelovska

CEO of Grouper.mk

(Forbes 30 Under 30)

15 February 2019 7 Min Read

Nina Angelovska: Overcoming Market Challenges in Business

Let me introduce you to Nina Angelovska, an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the co-founder and CEO of Grouper.mk, the first group-buying platform in Macedonia that allows users to purchase business deals and discounts. Nina is also the president of the Macedonian eCommerce Association. Her hard work was recognized as she found herself on Forbes’ list of 30 under 30 Europe 2018: Retail & eCommerce.

After acquiring her Ph.D. from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University and before co-founding Grouper.mk, Nina worked as an E-business & E-commerce Consultant at Makedonski Telekom AD. She was also a Fellow at Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University. Her success led her to become a contributor for Forbes with her article “The 8 P’s Of Entrepreneurship” in 2018.

Nina shares the struggles of starting a new business, her motivation, and how she achieves her goals. I welcome everyone to join me and hear Nina’s inspiring story and her plans for the future!

The Logician

Before anything else, I would like to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. Firstly, can you tell us more about yourself? Who is Nina Angelovska, and why did you choose this career path?

Nina Angelovska

I don’t enjoy describing myself but in a few words — a fast and well-organized engaged workaholic who loves what she does.

Well, to be honest, the career path happened very spontaneously for me rather than me making a thought-through decision on it.

While I was studying I was taking part in various activities and competitions (I used to be very competitive I guess I owe this to my parent’s genes and the way I was raised).

Just before graduating as a student of the year I won the most innovative business plan competition and got small funding to start the business.

I think this was the key incentive for me to begin my entrepreneurial journey.

Maybe I would have started the same path regardless of the prize, or maybe I would have been CEO of another company instead of mine if I didn’t win that competition.

The Logician

It is widely known that you are a great role model for many young people who desire to start their businesses. So, what is your secret? How did you find and run a business regardless of being in your early 20s?

Nina Angelovska

I don’t think there is a special secret to great work. And young people can also do great work.

It is the result of passion, hard work, constant learning, and permanent change.

I was focused on succeeding, I wanted the business to work so badly and if there was a thing I didn’t know I was not afraid at all — the solution was always simple: Learn it!

There were many decisions I made that included complicated steps and procedures but I never backed out just because some things seemed difficult and complicated.

At the end of the day, good things in life usually don’t come easy and simple.

The Logician

You are the CEO and the co-founder of Grouper.mk. Can you tell us more about your business idea?

Nina Angelovska

Grouper’s business model is widely known nowadays — we are an online intermediary between the end-customers and the merchants.

We offer various services, products, and travel deals at discounted prices to the end-users by cooperating with hundreds of companies.

However, with time, we have come up to offer also various marketing and consultancy services to the businesses in addition to the deal promotions.

We constantly keep adding new features and novelties to keep our customers and partners happy, for instance, our thematic campaigns that focus on specific categories (food, travel etc) are very popular.

The Logician

How challenging was it to start a business in a place where not many people supported your vision? How did you stay focused and keep going?

Nina Angelovska

V E R Y!

Almost all friends of mine with whom I shared the idea were skeptical and it was completely understandable to think that way, having in mind the low payment card penetration, no supply from web shops, lack of habit, security concerns, lack of trust etc.

All in all, we can say that the market was not ready — or at least that’s what the data and analysis were “screaming”. But it turned out that the attractive offers with huge discounts were the perfect incentive for the citizens to make their first online transactions.

However, this included educating the market in order to create a market for ourselves.

In fact, I strongly believe that deal platforms can play a crucial role in developing e-commerce in emerging or developing countries.

The Logician

With this being said, what is your biggest motivation? Do you have a life motto?

Nina Angelovska

The results and recognition are my key motivation. If my strategy gives good results it provides feedback and affirmation that something is done good and that is motivation for further great work.

And if it doesn’t it certainly is a lesson learned.

“Loving the process” is also a part of the “game”.

Sometimes it can be messy, it can get chaotic but as long as we love the process we will find the best way and results will come.

Not necessarily my life motto but definitely one of my mottos:

“We can always do everything better than we did it last time.”

The Logician

Not only you run your own business, but you also are the President of Macedonian eCommerce Association. Therefore, you must be a very busy person. How do you achieve it all? What is the best time-management trick you have learned and are willing to share with the audience?

Nina Angelovska

Self-discipline and excellent self-organization first, and then good organization and good management.

I think that everyone should find their own way and tactic for self-management.

And the core is setting an ambitious agenda and following it no matter what.

There are things that we don’t feel like doing sometimes, but I’d say the trick is to act rather than feel or think too much.

The Logician

How would you describe your team, and what are your employee engagement strategies?

Nina Angelovska

The most valuable asset in any organization, regardless of industry, are the people. Their knowledge, potential, attitude, and energy is what sets successful companies apart.

I am very happy to have a wonderful team of great young people and we are as one big family. Our culture relies on honesty, integrity, respect, recognition, and fun.

I also think that the sense of belonging, purpose, and space for personal development and growth are three key things that affect employee engagement.

I want everyone in my team to know WHY we do everything we do, to see the bigger picture and understand what is the desired outcome.

The Logician

It is very common for people to want to be independent and successful while young. What would you say are the best and the worst parts of being young and successful?

Nina Angelovska

I love what I do and I love the fact that I dived into the business world very young.

I think the good and the bad sides are very subjective and individual.

I am very results-driven and I feel that the work I do fulfills me.

However, not everyone wants to work super-hard all the time.

If you ask some of my friends they might tell you that they would never sign up for an agenda like mine.

And if you ask me I think good work can be addictive in a positive way but work can also take over your life.

For instance, a few hours of not doing anything productive or work-related even on the weekends can seem like a waste of time causing that “feeling of guilt”.

Or the constant urge to check emails or being unable to disconnect off work when on vacation.

The Logician

This leads us to the question I am usually the most curious about. Where do you see yourself and your business in the following 5/10 years?

Nina Angelovska

I see myself as the captain of my boat that keeps sailing and adjusting to the wind — constantly changing and adapting the business model, working on new projects, probably some new businesses, hopefully still inspiring young people and so on.

The Logician

Lastly, is there any advice you would like to share with our readers?

Nina Angelovska

Find your passion, practice what you preach, lead by example, surround yourself with great people, do great work, invest in your potential, believe in yourself and always stay positive.

Anything can be done and it can be fun.

The Logician

Nina’s story is relatable and motivational, especially for young people. She makes individuals believe in themselves and shows them that taking that leap into the unknown can be one of the best choices we ever make if we work hard and believe in ourselves. So, thank you, Nina, for sharing your story, values, and habits. With your attitude and view on life, I am sure you will continue to inspire young people worldwide and achieve more success. I am eager to see all that comes from you next, and I wish you the best of luck in everything you choose to pursue.

The Logician

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