As a manager, you have many different kinds of experience. Which ones seem most important to you in retrospect? Is there anything you would do differently?

The food industry, especially the coffee and tea sector, is characterised by intense competition and changing consumer preferences. I have developed my own management style based on building long-term relationships, both with clients and employees. The most important things for me are honesty, responsibility and commitment. I always focus on quality, innovation and respect for tradition which are the foundation of our success.

Every experience, even a difficult one, is a lesson. That’s why I don’t regret any of the decisions I’ve made in my life – maybe only some I would  have decided on earlier. You need to look forward and not backward. You cannot dwell on what was, because then the current issues escape us. New opportunities and new challenges are always more interesting…

You must be able to seize the opportunities and meet the challenges. Is there a set of features that helps with this?

I believe that the key qualities that have helped me build my business are perseverance, consistency, and the courage to take on new challenges. I have always focused on innovation, which has brought about the introduction of new products and marketing campaigns that have become a permanent part of the history of Polish advertising

. What was also important was the ability to listen and understand the needs of both the market and the people around me.

What can be done to encourage more women to be leaders in business? Can they be supported in this somehow?

S – First and foremost, educational and mentoring initiatives aimed at women should be supported. It is important for young women to have access to inspiring role models and be able to learn from experienced female leaders. Creating a work environment that fosters gender equality and encouraging women to challenge themselves in leadership positions is also key.

When it comes to functioning in business, do you see any significant differences between women and men?

– There is no big difference. However, it can be said that women often bring greater empathy and intuition to business, which allows them to build lasting relationships and better understand customer needs. The female approach also has the advantage of multitasking and the ability to look at a problem from different perspectives.

What goals are you setting for the future? I ask about business goals, and also personal development.

• I work to constantly delight our consumers. In 2023, I founded the Coffee and Tea Market Research Institute (based in Ustroń and London), where we conduct research based on scientific methods in the area of business behaviour in the food and beverage market, including the coffee and tea market. The association offers, in a way, a summary of my coffee and tea passions. Apart from analysing the coffee and tea market, the Institute popularises knowledge about these fascinating beverages. It integrates the scientific, research and business communities, including universities and people starting their careers in business. In addition, it is involved, among other things, in developing new products, training, organising conferences, and meeting with other enthusiasts and professionals.

In turn, the scientific Coffee & Tea Marketing Journal, published as part of the Institute’s activities, allows us to interest even more people in our activities.

And the passions?

In addition to my professional, scientific and social activities, I am passionate about photography (numerous National Geographic workshops). I am the co-author of the novel “The Tea Party. When life becomes a journey.” I have also translated and published Orson Scott Marden’s book “Success Under Difficulties And The Uses Of Obstacles” into Polish. This book was published in a limited collector series. My latest passion is aviation.

Why exactly aviation?

• For me it is synonymous with freedom. I love the feeling when I go up in the sky. I’m in the middle of a pilot course and I can safely say that it’s a dream come true. Each flight teaches me something new and gives me the feeling that the impossible becomes possible.