Forms of entrepreneurship: from nursery schools to Marjetka's herbs

Marjetka Podplatan, founder of Zelišč Marjetka, began her journey with a passion for plants and herbs that started in childhood. As a child, she collected flowers in fields and forests, creating bouquets that she gave to family members and neighbors. This early love for nature evolved into a business venture that today offers herbal teas, jams, syrups, and other homemade products. Her story reflects a transition from personal hobby to professional enterprise rooted in traditional knowledge and self-learning. Podplatan registered her company in 2008 and initially sold her products among friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Word-of-mouth recommendations helped expand her customer base, which later extended to online sales. She emphasized the importance of trust built through satisfied customers who shared their experiences. Her approach combines practical experience with research, including reading professional literature and learning from older generations familiar with traditional uses of plants. Her production process involves gathering plants from clean areas away from pollution, harvesting at appropriate times, and drying them traditionally in well-ventilated spaces. Fruits and vegetables are dried using low-temperature dryers to preserve color, taste, and aroma. Many steps remain manual, such as collecting, sorting, and preparing herbal mixtures, while modern equipment supports specific processes. The Slovenian system SPOT provides comprehensive support for entrepreneurs, offering assistance at four levels: digital access via the SPOT portal, registration help through over 100 physical points, advisory services at 12 regional locations, and internationalization support under SPOT Global +. The SPOT portal allows businesses to perform administrative tasks digitally, reducing bureaucracy and time spent on paperwork. Registration points offer free guidance on legal procedures, while advisory centers provide mentoring and information on grants and opportunities. SPOT Global + assists companies aiming to enter foreign markets and attracts foreign investors interested in Slovenia. The SPOT system aims to simplify business operations with the government and provide support at all stages of entrepreneurship. It is funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union’s Regional Development Fund. The system helps reduce administrative burdens, allowing entrepreneurs more time to focus on their business growth, clients, and product development.