If you are persistent and focused, there is no obstacle you cannot break down

The name of the founder of a group of companies specialized in the provision of aviation services and tourism is recognized and appreciated both in regional and global business.

She says she belongs to that group of women who consciously entered the business to fulfill their dreams and their vision in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Seventeen years later, how much has passed since she stepped into the world of aviation, Ana Marojević's name is imperative. And not only in aviation, in which with its first start-up company "Fly Montenegro", in Montenegro and Serbia, it achieved impressive results, setting, through 12 years of independent development, the highest innovative standards among companies specialized in the provision of aviation services and tourism.

Now that that start-up, in which Ana Marojević wove years of her work, experience and knowledge, has become part of the world's largest company for providing services in aviation "Menzies Aviation" from Great Britain, the name of this young, brave and above all successful woman is recognized and appreciated both in regional and global business.

A brand such as "Menzies Aviation" made it possible to reset the market in Montenegro and Serbia, introducing the highest standards into a million-dollar business whose heart is the highest quality service to air transportation users. But he also placed a domestic company and its founder at the very top of professionalism, "at the table" with the most influential global "players" in this field.

However, that is only part of the story of this successful young woman. Years of work, developing contacts, constant improvement and uncompromising professionalism have not only opened the doors of a globally known brand in the aviation business. Ana is also the founder of "Flystar", a company for providing specialized services on business aviation flights, which operates within a wide network of 24 international airports in the Balkan region.

She certainly has a lot to say about the obstacles she faced while paving the way in a job that everyone considers to be traditionally male, and therefore cruel. In the end, business itself, in the traditional environments typical of this climate, is not an area where the success of women is always looked upon favorably. However, her answer to the question of how she managed to do so much speaks volumes about her character and what kind of professional she is. Instead of focusing on the obstacles that will always be there and on "what cannot be done", her formula is based on "what can be done" and which, as a rule, starts from oneself: "If you are persistent and focused on the goals you set, you will not I see some special obstacles that will prevent you from succeeding and achieving what you want".

Therefore, it is not surprising that in the colorful world of aviation, where innovation and determination are intertwined, Ana appears as a beacon of leadership and transformation. It's no surprise that Ana is today an inspiration to many women in business in the region. With an indomitable spirit and strategic mind, she navigates the complexities of the aerospace industry, shattering gender norms and redefining success.

As Vice President of Business Aviation at Menzies Aviation, the founder's trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her journey begins with the establishment of a group of specialized companies, testifying to her reach and sense of business opportunities. Armed with a solid foundation of 17 years in aviation, Ana's career epitomizes her unwavering commitment to the industry.

As a leader of change in the industry, Ana defies convention and takes leadership roles with elegance, not deviating from the principles that permeate a deep belief in the ability of women to excel in the business world, strengthened by motivation and expertise.

In an interview for "Vijesti", Ana Marojević talked about her beginnings in the airline business, the moment when she decided to engage in this challenging business, but also the years she invested in the development of her entrepreneurial ventures, which culminated in the acquisition of the company "Fly Montenegro ” by the British giant “Menzies Aviation”. That turning point in her career is at the same time confirmation of Mrs. Marojević's expertise, but also proof of the unfathomable potential of her companies.

And judging by the path of the young business leader so far, characterized by dedication, strategic outlook, enviable communication skills and continuous pursuit of knowledge and improvement, one gets the impression that the achievements that placed her at the very top are only the beginning of her business story.

When it comes to your formal education and career path, did these two paths align and when was your love for aviation born?

I think my formal education is aligned with my career orientation. It may sound unusual, but I developed my love for aviation as a field because during my studies of international economics in Moscow, I lived in a pilot's family and I was always impressed by the dynamism of that profession, but also of life. I am referring to the dedication that is necessary in order to perform this job well, but also the precision required by the procedures and work in this field. Probably, my character traits, as well as the desire to do something atypical for women, coincided with the basic postulates in that field, which is why I chose to do this vocation.

Of course, with the aim of specialist education in aviation and gaining new knowledge, I continued to continuously attend and monitor everything that is important for this field, which is characterized by dynamism and rapid changes.

Do you have any strict personal principles that have helped you get your career where you want it to be despite gender stereotypes and prejudices?

Gender stereotypes and prejudices certainly represent a limitation and demotivation for women, first of all to direct themselves towards some jobs and businesses for which there is a deep-rooted opinion that they are reserved for men, and then also in the part of advancement and reaching certain levels in managerial jobs, where again men dominate .

However, when you are sure of yourself, that you can achieve the goals you have set, when all this is accompanied by adequate training and, above all, dedication and tireless work, then those stereotypes and prejudices fade in front of the results of your work.

The more examples of dedication and results that break down gender stereotypes, the better and healthier society will progress and get rid of the ballast of the past.

How favorable is Montenegrin society to women who want to start or engage in business?

I think that the position of women in business depends a lot on the level of development of society and social awareness in your country. Personally, I believe that there is still a gap between the declared equality of women in everything, including in business, and the actual situation, which is still, to some extent, limited by traditionalism and conservatism, which largely determines Montenegrin society. However, if you are persistent, focused on the goals you set, I don't see any special obstacles that will prevent you from succeeding and achieving what you want.

If you could, what would you change first in the business environment, and if it was an obstacle to the advancement/increase in the number of women in business?

Hardly any individual can radically change something in the business environment when it comes to increasing the number of women and the success of women in business. But this can certainly be done by various associations, activities in the governmental and non-governmental sectors, and especially by the media, precisely by presenting and promoting successful women or projects led by women. However, in the end, that story is personalized, and their role in successful businesses will depend mostly on the ability and agility of specific women in specific projects and jobs.

First of all, it is necessary to overcome prejudices and the prevailing practice that only certain businesses are intended for women, such as e.g. pharmacy, beauty and hair salons, boutiques, shops, etc. Women can do the most important and demanding jobs just as successfully as men. I belong to that group of women who consciously entered the business to fulfill their dreams and their vision in a field traditionally dominated by men.

What is your message to women who are undecided and want to start a private business or are hesitant to take a management position in companies?

First of all, listen to yourself, your intuition and be firm and determined when you want to achieve something.

It is first necessary to overcome prejudices and the prevailing practice that only certain businesses are intended for women, such as e.g. pharmacy, beauty and hair salons, boutiques, shops, etc. Women can do the most important and demanding jobs just as successfully as men. I belong to that group of women who consciously entered the business to fulfill their dreams and their vision in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Gender stereotypes and prejudices certainly represent a limitation and demotivation for women, first of all to direct themselves towards some jobs and businesses for which there is a deep-rooted opinion that they are reserved for men, and then also in the part of advancing and reaching certain levels in managerial jobs, where again men dominate

I think that the position of women in business depends a lot on the level of development of society and social awareness in your country. Personally, I believe that there is still a gap between the declared equality of women in everything, including in business, and the actual situation, which is still, to some extent, limited by traditionalism and conservatism, which largely determines Montenegrin society.

Menzies Aviation

At the very heart of Anna's narrative lies "Menzies Aviation", a testament to her perseverance and steely will. From a humble start-up company to a vital part of a global airline conglomerate, her trajectory highlights her unwavering dedication and extraordinary opportunities for women in business. Her belief emphasizes the importance of personal initiative and collective efforts in reshaping gender dynamics in business.