My name is Maria and I hold a bachelor’s degree in Product Design and Visual Communication from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. During my studies I took part in Erasmus scholarship in L’Ecole de Design Nantes Atlantique in France and completed a 3 months internship in MUT Design design studio in Valencia, Spain. After graduating I have worked as a graphic designer in Warsaw, mostly in marketing teams, designing various ads, posters, social media posts, presentations, and a variety of print materials. After that, I spent several years combining freelance design work with seasonal jobs abroad (in Australia, Italy, and Iceland). These experiences helped me become more adaptable, taught me how to work in multicultural environment, strengthened my foreign language skills and also gave me a broader perspective on creative work. After coming back to Poland in 2024, I started developing my creative business idea and looking for a way to bring it to life.
When I heard about the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, I felt it would be a great opportunity to learn how to develop and run my own business. Although I have a solid design background, I have to learn how practical side of running a business looks like, how to develop and implement marketing strategies and manage the workflow. Working with Laura Priolo, who is an marketing expert is a perfect opportunity for me, because of her experience and the profile of her business.
I think this opportunity is a great way to begin entrepreneurial journey. Learning directly from an experienced entrepreneur will help me refine my business idea, gain practical knowledge, create marketing strategy and create a sustainable creative practice. I also see the programme as an invaluable cultural exchange that opens to new ideas, gives insight into working in a different environment, broadens my network and strengthens my communication skills. I am hoping that after these 3 months I will be able to confidently start the process of opening my business in Poland.