Handbag designer Karolina Jakulienė: “Dreams do come true, you just need to have a bit of faith and put in some effort”
After spending a year and a half abroad and another year searching for her vocation in Lithuania, Karolina finally started her own business with her husband. Today a young mother, who is an entrepreneur and a designer creates handbags and backpacks. She also admits that she's focusing on work now more than ever. And she does it with great pleasure.
The secret formula for success
"For me, it's not just a job, it's something that rewards me in a lot of personal pleasure and allows me to express myself," says Karolina. She bravely assures that her husband is just as equally happy with this activity. The original design and conception of how to create a durable product don't appear out of nowhere. To reach this goal you not only need creativity, but you also need to pay great attention to the customers' needs to understand what they truly want. At the start of her career, Karolina tried to sell regular handbags. Unfortunately, the lack of experience is what prevented the success of her first company. Only after spending some time in a foreign country, gaining different work experience, and finally starting a family, their joint business became not only a satisfying activity for the spouses but also a source of livelihood. Karolina says that for the dream that has finally come true, she's sincerely thankful for the convenient circumstances and previous experience that gave her enough courage to act out.
Although things haven't always gone so smoothly. Before she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do, Karolina had to "try out" a variety of different jobs. She stayed a bit longer than necessary in one handbag store. Karolina, who has now become a handbag designer, does not doubt that her previous experience has helped her realize that handbags are exactly what she's passionate about. Looking at all the mass-produced items, the woman used to constantly notice what they were missing and how they could be improved. Karolina was hesitant for a while until she dared to start creating accessories that would match her vision. Although the miracle didn't happen overnight, gradually, however, taking a small step at a time, the idea turned into something that now delights not only the family doing business but also their regular customers.
A useful break
The woman drew inspiration to start a different life which wouldn't be related to her employment at the time not only while living in Lithuania. Karolina had decided to spend almost two years living abroad. In Norway, she was determined to take it step by step, hence she took upon a very elementary job. The young woman found an open position in the laundry with the help of a recruitment agency. At that time, the future husband of Karolina was also working in the Scandinavian country, which happens to be very popular among Lithuanian emigrants. The young couple came across a dilemma: they both wanted to be together and to make extra money. It is no secret that the remuneration, even for unqualified work, is much higher in Norway than it is in Lithuania. Now Karolina assures that all the circumstances seem to have occurred naturally. At the time an unsuccessful store was forced to be closed. Hence the idea of going abroad for a short period to have a break had become relief at the time.
Indeed, the young woman's desire to leave Lithuania was heavily influenced by her longing for her future husband. Distance often becomes a hard challenge for couples living in different countries. As soon as Karolina arrived, she and her future husband had set themselves a clear goal. None of them envisioned their future in Norway. They had both decided that a temporary job in a foreign country would help prepare them for a more successful start in their homeland. "And when you have a clear goal, living and working become much easier," says Karolina. Many of those who do leave say that the main reason behind it is to earn money. Unfortunately, a temporary decision often turns into a long-term emigration. Especially if the children are born abroad. Karolina assures: "That's exactly what I didn't want. I was determined to start a family and raise my children only in Lithuania."
Significant contribution
Karolina enjoyed staying in Norway. People are really friendly there, nature is beautiful, and the work itself didn't become a difficult challenge. Most importantly, the job was well paid. The young couple not only saved enough money for the wedding, but they also saved enough money for the purchase of their own home together. However, after returning to Lithuania, they both had to look for a job. Although they had savings and could have spent some time without being employed, it seemed to be an option neither to Carolina nor her husband. They got used to going to work every day while staying in Norway. They had both wanted to do something. Karolina's husband agreed to work for a much lower salary than before. In the meanwhile, an unexpected offer awaited the young woman. After a consultation with the local Employment Service, she was offered the opportunity to work for that institution. "I didn't even think about the idea of denying the offer, however, one thing that did concern me was whether there was an opportunity for me to improve my skills. After all, while living abroad a completely different social circle begins to form, the way we communicate changes," Karolina says frankly.
The woman doesn't hide the fact that: "Before I started working in the "Employment Service", I felt that I had to overcome a certain social barrier."
Another reason as to why I found it quite difficult to return to the Lithuanian reality was because of the desire to create something of my own and I used to carry this idea in my mind all the time. Karolina worked for the "Employment Service" for about a year. Still sitting, as many would say, in a comfortable chair, she had already been thinking that it was then the perfect time to make her dreams come true. Karolina says that she appreciates the fortunate coincidence of the circumstances in her life: "I felt safe because we had savings, I was officially working and I was already pregnant. It was time to take the opportunity." Karolina's first attempts to create handbags were cautious. She wanted to know whether her product would be necessary for people. As it turns out, the original handbags and backpacks were not only necessary but also high in demand.
Working abroad has accelerated the fulfilment of the dream
When asked whether she'd ever been willing to go to Norway again, Karolina was doubtful: "Both I and my husband are patriots. We only realized how much we love Lithuania when we went to live abroad. Although Norway is indeed a great country, I have no relatives or friends there. I longed for everyday communication." Karolina, who lived in Dramen, Norway, says it's a very beautiful place, but it was just a convenient stop. However, temporary work in Norway helped to save money and made it clear that both Karolina and her husband have their eyes set on living in Lithuania. Karolina opens up: "Without the financial support brought in from Norway, my dreams would have taken longer to fulfil."
Now the young mother and a successful entrepreneur boldly says she is glad she didn't take the risk and didn't go to Norway without any plan. Although at the time her future husband had already found a job there, they both started working together once Karolina arrived. "I convinced him because I felt confident about the working conditions, moreover the "On Off Staffing Group" team view the practice of hiring couples favourably. I liked that people who do decide to work abroad are encouraged not to separate or live two separate lives,” Karolina claims. The woman also assures that she would have been afraid and hesitant about leaving so carelessly. Karolina’s acquaintances and friends had used the services of the same agency, so she was inspired to give it a try by their positive experiences.
The woman who remembers her emigration with joy is very certain that: "Knowing that you have a certain security guarantor is very necessary. Regardless whether you're travelling alone, with friends, or with a loved one. And when young people decide to leave, immediately after their studies or simply for the first time, the knowledge and help provided by the agency becomes simply invaluable.”
Article prepared by Eglė Stratkauskaitė