From Courtroom to Startup: Building a Business with My Daughter by Marija Tasic

I kicked off my career 30 years ago, fresh out of law school, in a country just emerging from the chaos of balkanization and hyperinflation and beginning its transition.

Lucky for me, by that time, I had already developed what was then an unknown “entrepreneurial” mindset in my surroundings—or maybe I just had extra energy to burn. Either way, I loved proving myself, almost as if it were a sport, starting with competing against myself. My parents, on the other hand, instilled in me some very useful and practical work habits, so discipline was never in short supply.

With this heritage and these habits, I started my first job in a courthouse with plenty of confidence, albeit tempered with a healthy dose of self-criticism. After overcoming initial insecurities, I mastered the job splendidly. Mentor critiques didn’t always sit well with me, but I took them seriously and adjusted my approach accordingly.

However, after mastering the job, I realized the limitations of government work and handed in my first resignation to become a lawyer. I developed my practice and gathered quite a clientele, started a family, and things seemed to be going superbly. It felt like I was winning, progressing, and checking off all the boxes for this phase of my life.

But life always throws new challenges at us. At that time, I received an irresistible offer from a consultancy firm to handle advisory legal work. However, a few months in, the director, who had experience in such roles, went on maternity leave, and then parental leave. Someone had to step in, and the decision was made for me to be appointed as the acting director.

Chaos and headaches ensued. I was thrust into a management role I hadn’t planned for, agreed to, or knew how to perform.

Remember, this was the dawn of the internet era. We had dial-up connections, no internet resources, no translated management books, no courses on any subject, no seminars on leadership skills—nothing.

And then I remembered my emergency self-help mantra (a term that didn’t even exist two and a half decades ago).

I was 15, and at my first literature class in an elite high school, our teacher welcomed us and kindly noted that none of us were geniuses, which would have been obvious by then, so we would have to work hard. Although I was initially shocked by such a harsh truth, I realized that most of us were average, and if I worked hard on my goals—armed with my work habits and discipline—I could achieve a lot. Hence the mantra—“I can do this.”

So, I pulled myself together, told myself, “You can do this,” as I had gracefully handled all of life’s challenges thrown my way (often wondering afterward why I had gotten myself into all of this), and rolled up my sleeves to tackle the managerial role. The result was working with over 500 companies, 35,000 clients, numerous public and TV appearances (school performances came in handy), and countless meetings.

From a small consultancy, I moved to a bigger one, and now, for about 20 years, I’ve been running my own law firm specializing in corporate law. Of course, we’re ranked in numerous directories.

And no, it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to my friend Danijela, these days I’m embarking on a new adventure with my team from the office and my daughter—we’re launching an app for entrepreneurs, micro, and small businesses.

What could I tell young women in business? It’s tough, but it will get easier. Follow your dreams, live up to your potential. Over the years, you’ll gain experience, self-confidence, and various skills and tools—today, all these are much more accessible and straightforward.

Also, in a community of like-minded individuals, like ours, you’ll overcome numerous challenges or receive useful advice.

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