At ŠC Škofja Loka, Secondary School of Woodworking, have applied for the programme My company under the umbrella of JA Sloveniawhere students spend a school year developing their own business. Not just on paper, but - practically.

It starts with a good idea... What would it be? Oskar Dolšak, Ožbej Kavčič, Anže Keržan and Aleksander Kozukh quite a lot of ideas see the most potential in - the chair. Everyone's entrepreneurial spirit knew that this couldn't be just another one of the thousands of chairs on the market, they needed something special.

Problem - solution

They were based on the problem of our time - we are in a hurry, we are rushing, we are crazy and it is hard to find time and a corner to relax.

They have made a lounge for reading or just a break from the fast-paced world. A corner that's yours and yours alone. The eggshell-shaped chair makes you feel like you're in a safe nest, offering warmth and privacy, while helping you to disconnect from this wild world for a moment. The shape, made up of slats, allows you to look outwards, but obscures the view inside. A closed but not cramped space.

They drew a first sketch. That was not it. How to do better? They drew another one. And the next one... They also used an AI image generator to get more ideas. And they kept on drawing. Gradually, they came up with an image that delighted everyone! If they had known then how technically challenging it would be, they might not have done it... But the beauty of starting a business is also not knowing what challenges lie ahead, so they jumped in!

The big challenge was - time. Only one school year for the project, with only 14 days of practical work to produce the product. That it would be impossible to create it in that time was clear to both them and their mentors, prof. Peter Kurnik and prof. Klemn Mezg.

Have they given up? No. Is that why they simplified the product? No. Simple - they were still working in the afternoon. "They were still drawing at night and sending me sketches," smiles the mentor. "We were in class until 1pm, then in the workshop until the evening. The professor went out of his way to help us and work outside working hours," they point out gratefully.

"Sometimes we even had to teach classes to do it," they are honest, but we agreed not to mention it too much...

When you're about to give up ...

Have they ever given up? "Yes, many times. That's when our mentor was key," they point to Professor Petr Kurnik, who is already known for getting many teams to produce great projects that win awards at My Business competitions. "I remember one particular situation when they were sitting in class and the project was really going through a rough patch, and Anže was desperately leaning back in his chair, looking at this partially made product of theirs. He was looking and looking and I was just watching what they were going to do. Whereupon Anže said: No, we have to do it! With momentum. I still remember that. But it really wasn't easy. When I saw their spirits slipping, I encouraged them - come on, you'll see that at the end you'll be proud of having persevered and then persevered a little longer."

The sparkles in his eyes were what convinced him. "They have something more, that sparkle, that entrepreneurial drive. They had seven different ideas, and all of them made their eyes light up. But it's true that it was only with this resting place that they felt the breakthrough energy in themselves. that's it. They bit the bullet and worked really hard. Whoever is willing to go the extra mile succeeds. They are."

The project has been very demanding, even for such a short period of time. At times it seemed that it would not be feasible. Yet, time and again, they found the motivation to keep going. "The little rewards throughout the year helped the most - first you work like crazy, then the first model comes out - wow, that looks good! That gives you the will to keep going. Then you work and work like crazy again, and you've had enough, but you get a real chair - wow, how cool! And you get the will again." In the end, they were fascinated by what a beautiful product they had made!

One chair has 24 ribs and legs. Each piece was individually sculpted and everything had to fit together perfectly. Natural materials were used, and the assembly was done without glue or screws.

And yes - it really is beautiful! And it's indescribably comfortable - try to feel exactly what they set out to do - to have a safe and cosy corner to disconnect from the world, but without the slats making you feel cramped. A corner that just calls out for relaxation.

Their mentor stresses the importance of teamwork. "They have good team energy. They look at each other. It was interesting in the competition where they wanted to take a picture but one team member was not there. They said - wait, one is missing, went looking for it and only then took a picture. That means something. They are friends, I like that. At the same time, they work professionally. They rely on each other and expect it to be done."

The biggest turning point was a call from the Supernova management: 'We could use a bookshelf...', which they have, but of course they also offered a chair. "We'll take it." They sold the first two sets. Well done!

National competition

Preparing for the national competition was a unique project. In addition to the required business report and presentation, every little detail was taken care of. Did you notice how nicely the boys dressed up and put their names and positions in the company on with magnets?

When asked how it was, at first they just say, "It was good." But it doesn't take much to get them talking with excitement in their voice: "First we had this competition, and then we had the prom. It wasn't exactly a high school graduate highlight of the day, if you understand us ..." Everyone is happy, but tired at the same time. 

"Something of the best came when the director of Unicredit Bank, an Italian, came up to us, excited about the product, and gave us his card in case we needed anything. Then we found out that he had only given us his card. Wow, then we must have really been something special to him."

They won the top prize at the national competition Student company of the year 2024. They also received first prizes in the following categories: Most Innovative Product/Service Award, Best Entrepreneurial Idea Award, Mentors' Choice Award, Best Sales Award and UniCredit Foundation Re-Power Your Future Award.

What does this success mean for the boys in the long term?

"We have learned that you must not give up. Entrepreneurship is something that will benefit us greatly. We learned how to start, how to talk, how to present ourselves, how to close a deal... And also that you shouldn't be embarrassed to ask for help."

"Well ... it feels a bit good because we have proved that grades are not everything. Two of us had three last year The Executionerbut now we have shown that ratings are not everything, that we are not kr' eni."

The mentor adds, "It's a story of perseverance and a story of faith - they believe in their product and in each other. They have a good foundation to become a real company and with this team they keep working."

GEN-I International Competition in Sicily

They will compete in the GEN-I International Competition in Sicily, where 42 winning teams from 42 countries will gather. Boys, keep your fingers crossed! Many successes! Both in Sicily and later in your creativity!

Above all, we wish you never again to think that you are kr' eni.

You can find out more about their products on their Instagram page: ao_wood_design or contact info.aowooddesign@gmail.com