SerbLink Spotlight- Meet Milos Djurdjevic

What inspired you to pursue a career at the intersection of technology, business development, and entrepreneurship, and how has your vision evolved throughout your career?

My journey began in the field of medicine, driven by two fundamental motivations: knowing

that I was helping people through my work and enjoying the flexibility of when and where I

could practice. However, as I delved deeper, I became disillusioned with the rigid structures

and hierarchies that often prioritized the most common solutions over the best ones. This

lack of creative freedom led me to seek an environment where I had more power to innovate

and make impactful decisions. Entrepreneurship became that avenue for me. Without a

family background in business, I knew I had to immerse myself in communities where I could

learn from others' experiences, minimizing my own mistakes. Over time, my vision has

evolved to embrace continuous learning and collaboration, integrating technology and

business development to create solutions that truly make a difference while retaining the

flexibility and impact I originally sought.

As someone who has co-founded a successful company and held leadership roles across various industries, what key lessons have you learned about building and scaling a business?

One of the most crucial lessons I've learned is the importance of acknowledging how much

there is yet to learn. Being open to asking questions and learning from others can lead to

surprising insights and opportunities. I've also realized that our biggest challenges often

stem from our complexes—doubts like not having enough experience or backing. I've faced

near-burnout multiple times, but the key is to keep moving forward steadily rather than

freezing in the face of challenges. Time is our most precious resource, even more so than

money, so it's vital to be mindful of how we "spend" it. As your business grows—from making

€10,000 in revenue to €1 million or €10 million—you need to adapt your mindset and

prioritize tasks differently. Focusing on the most impactful areas and regularly reassessing

what those are is essential for sustainable growth.

You've worked in diverse roles, from business development to advisory positions. How have these varied experiences shaped your approach to leadership and decision-making?

These experiences have taught me that making mistakes quickly and learning from them is

invaluable. Time is a limited resource, so wasting it can be more detrimental than financial

losses. I've learned that the success of any venture heavily depends on the people

involved—their interactions and how they work together. This understanding has reinforced

the importance of not shying away from tough decisions, like letting someone go when

necessary. Delaying such actions can lead to a loss of control over the situation. Over time,

my leadership style has evolved to focus on making fewer but more impactful decisions. I

believe in empowering others to make decisions and helping them grow professionally.

While I'm still working toward the ideal of having a team that operates autonomously, I strive

to create an environment where decision-making is collaborative. I've also learned that how

a decision is made—the communication, timing, and tone—is just as important as the

decision itself in maintaining control and steering the team effectively.

What challenges have you faced during your entrepreneurial journey, and how have you overcome them to build successful ventures?

Fear has been one of the biggest challenges—specifically, the continual need to take leaps

of faith. Overcoming the fear of failure requires ongoing effort and, eventually, it needs to

become an instinctive part of your approach, which is incredibly challenging. Not having the

"right" background or connections meant I had to prove myself in environments where

established leaders often prefer to maintain the status quo, especially in countries like

Germany, Austria, France, and the UK. To navigate this, I've found it crucial to have a mentor

early on. While the first mentor may not be perfect or permanent, their guidance is

invaluable. Coaching has also been beneficial; sometimes the answers lie within, and we

need help accessing them to reach the next level. Understanding that it's okay to ask for

help and focusing on continuous personal development have been key strategies in

overcoming these challenges.

Looking back on your career, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or business leaders trying to navigate the complexities of starting and growing a company?

Recognize and confront your self-doubts—they're often your biggest obstacles. Maintain

steady progress; you don't need to move at breakneck speed, but you must keep moving

forward. Don't hesitate to ask for help; being open can lead to unexpected solutions and

opportunities. Focus on the most impactful aspects of your business, and regularly reassess

what those are as you scale. Remember that time is your most valuable asset, so be

deliberate in how you allocate it. The people you choose to work with are crucial; their

performance and interactions will heavily influence your success. Don't avoid making tough

decisions; delaying them can lead to situations spiraling out of control. Empower your team

by teaching them to make decisions, which not only aids their growth but also strengthens

your organization. Lastly, understand that how you make decisions—the communication

style, context, and timing—is just as important as the decisions themselves.

How has your Serbian heritage influenced your career?

My Serbian heritage has profoundly shaped my values and drive. A core aspect of our

culture is "INAT," a term that embodies stubborn determination and the will to succeed even

when others doubt you. This mindset fuels a relentless hunger to achieve, similar to how our

small country excels in sports despite limited resources—we're willing to give everything to

reach our goals. While this mentality may not guarantee a long life, it ensures a fulfilling one

where you can look back proudly on your accomplishments and the legacy you leave

behind. Responsibility toward my family is another significant influence. I'm acutely aware of

the hardships they endured immigrating to a foreign country with different mindsets and

systems, sacrificing the reputation they had in Belgrade to provide better opportunities for

my sister and me. This awareness drives me to make the most of the opportunities I've been

given and to set an example for my son. If you can make a difference, it's imperative to act

on it—not everyone has that chance.