A Leader Who Believes Anything Is Possible with the Right People, Knowledge, and Organization
“COTRUGLI is a vehicle, and it’s up to you how you drive it - how fast, in which direction, and how carefully.”
When you talk to Andrija Topić, a member of the Management Board at Studenac, you immediately sense a calmness and clarity of thought that is rare to encounter. There are no grandiose words or theatrics; every sentence he speaks comes from experience and hard work. Today, he is responsible for Studenac’s expansion, which includes acquisitions and the integration of new companies, but his path to this position was anything but linear.
“I don’t think the MBA directly influenced my career, but it did indirectly,” Andrija says, reflecting on his time at COTRUGLI Business School. “It was one of many tools that helped me develop my career – a push in the right direction, but not the main or decisive factor.”
For him, the MBA wasn’t a magic formula for success but an opportunity to strengthen his foundation and broaden his horizons. “I saw it as an interesting opportunity to build on my knowledge, maybe revisit things I had forgotten, and to connect with the local academic community.”
After years of studying in the United States and the United Kingdom, he wanted to link his international perspective with the Croatian business environment. “My network was outside of Croatia, so COTRUGLI was an opportunity to meet people from the business community here.”
Growth Through Responsibility
In the years following his MBA, Andrija changed both his company and his level of responsibility. “I moved to a larger organization, managed by a private equity fund, which brought exciting and challenging tasks.” Today, he leads one of the key departments at Studenac, a company that has experienced remarkable growth since 2018. “From then until now, we’ve grown from just over 300 stores to 1,400. It’s been tremendous growth, full of challenges but also satisfaction.”
Such growth, he explains, requires top-notch people and clear processes. “You need to set up systems, establish management methods, monitor implementation, and test them. All of this together creates today’s Studenac, a company operating in Croatia and Slovenia, expanding as a true regional success story.”
Learning from People
When it comes to mentorship, Andrija doesn’t point to a single name. He observes and learns.
“I don’t have one person as a role model. I learn from the people around me, from their actions and how those actions reflect on the community, whether positively or negatively.”
This observational discipline has followed him throughout his career. “I try to take the good I see in others, the things that positively impact the team and the company. And in my personal life, my family is the foundation of all growth, including professional growth.”
The MBA as a Vehicle
Reflecting on his COTRUGLI experience, Andrija emphasizes that the MBA is only as valuable as the effort you put into it. “COTRUGLI is a vehicle, and it’s up to you how you drive it – how fast, in which direction, and how carefully.” He particularly remembers the financial modules. “I enjoyed the sections on financial models and accounting. It was a chance to refresh knowledge I already had and build on it. That was one of the most valuable parts of the experience for me.”
“And the best part? Spending time with colleagues, working on group tasks, having lunches, and having dinners. That social aspect of the MBA is what I remember most fondly.”
Although he didn’t develop business collaborations with his colleagues, he says that was never his goal. “I didn’t drive the car in that direction, so it didn’t happen.”
For many MBA participants, the biggest challenge is balancing work, school, and personal life. Andrija, however, doesn’t see this as an issue: “Maybe I’m not the right person to answer that because my mantra is that absolutely everything can be done. It’s all about organization and priorities. We all have the same number of hours in a day.” This perspective reveals his discipline and belief in personal responsibility, a trait that runs throughout the conversation.
A Leader Who Makes Decisions and Stays Human
When it comes to leadership, Andrija is very clear: “A successful leader is someone who has a quality team around them, a team that respects them and works together to achieve goals.” But a leader isn’t just someone who guides others; they must also know how to make decisions, and make them quickly and effectively. “You can’t be afraid to make mistakes because mistakes are part of the process. What’s important is to correct them and move forward.” The third component, he says, is the most important – humanity. “A leader must have an ethical, moral approach to their team and community. Humanity and ethics are the foundation of everything.”
To those stepping into leadership roles for the first time, Andrija advises never to stop learning: “Be curious, ask questions, learn from books, mentors, and the people around you. And don’t be afraid to make decisions. If you make a mistake, that’s okay. Just keep moving forward.” He adds a third piece of advice: “Question everything. Ask why. That’s how you break down false assumptions and open new paths.”
Conclusion: Success Lies in the Person, Not the Title
Throughout the conversation, one theme stands out – humility, discipline, and a focus on what truly matters. For Andrija Topić, success isn’t the result of luck or formal education but of a constant desire to learn and a sense of responsibility toward the people he works with.
“Everything can be done. Anything is possible. You just need to know where you’re going and why.”
For those considering enrolling in an MBA, he emphasizes that the decision depends on circumstances but also on determination: “If you can afford it, the benefits of an MBA are numerous. COTRUGLI, or any quality program, provides knowledge, experience, and a network of contacts that becomes invaluable over time.”