In a world that is changing at breakneck speed, where professional and personal growth have become a necessity, we rarely come across initiatives that genuinely connect knowledge, experience, and community. Rarer still—when behind them stands a woman who is at once a mother, an entrepreneur, and a leader.
We spoke with Jelena Gavrilović, founder and CEO of Molèn Academy, an innovative platform for professional development that is reshaping the way we learn, grow, and connect—with ourselves and with others.
How did the idea for founding Molèn Academy come about?
It’s not enough to simply have an idea—you need courage and accountability for every outcome. Having spent several years living across the region—first in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where I was born and raised, then in Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia—I saw both the immense potential and the growing need for people to pursue further education beyond their formal studies. Today, every company, regardless of industry or size, needs employees who are able to keep up with modern business trends.
I noticed that the range of programs in non-formal education was inadequate, and that there was a striking mismatch between supply and demand on the job market. The economy needs skilled professionals, particularly in the areas our programs cover—marketing, digital marketing, AI, and more.
The values we nurture ensure that Molèn is not just another educational center, but a brand that lives and breathes the principles of its founder.
What were your fears in the beginning, and what motivated you to persevere?
Choosing education as a field of business is a challenge in itself. But that was also my strongest motivation—to contribute to the market and to build a community where knowledge gained through formal education could be enriched, where participants could find concrete solutions to their professional challenges, and at the same time stay up to date with technological change.
How would you describe your journey as an entrepreneur in education—an industry that is not a common choice? Did you have any role models or mentors who inspired you?
My parents have always been my greatest role models, both personally and professionally. Beyond being my unwavering support, I’ve absorbed many important lessons from their experience, and those lessons meant a great deal to me as I built my own entrepreneurial path.
At Molèn, a promise means we strictly honor our commitments, we operate transparently, and we build honest relationships with every client and participant. There are no shortcuts or hidden agendas—every decision is made with a long-term vision and with deep respect for the people who are part of our journey.
What is the main mission of the Academy, and who is it for?
The main mission of Molèn Academy stems from a desire to create a space where participants can go beyond theory and gain real insights from experts who are already thriving in their fields. We focus on what works and help participants immediately apply what they learn in practice. This saves them time, energy, and money, and they leave with a clear plan.
Growing by growing others is our guiding principle: we grow by helping others grow. It’s not just a nice phrase—it’s a way of working. When we invest our time, energy, and knowledge in participants, we contribute not only to their professional development but also to our own reputation and the strength of our community. That connection and mutual support is what makes Molèn Academy unique.
What sets Molèn’s programs apart from other professional or personal development programs?
Molèn programs are not just a list of topics to master—they encompass much more. The careful selection of lecturers who generously share their invaluable experience and expertise, the interactive structure of our classes, the format of our programs, and the attitude we maintain toward our participants—these are all details that make the difference. We foster a culture where superficiality and insincerity have no place.
The atmosphere in class is relaxed but professional. There’s room for laughter, but also for serious work. The key is for everyone to feel accepted and supported, regardless of their knowledge or experience level. Networking is essential. Time and again, we’ve seen participants from the same or related fields become one another’s greatest support and source of new opportunities. We encourage this through joint projects, workshops, informal events, and our online community, where the exchange of ideas continues long after the program ends.
As a mother, how do you manage to balance parenthood and leadership?
Until recently, I believed the key lay in good organization. But when you look at the bigger picture—balancing parenthood, career, a quality relationship with your spouse, time for friends and family, which I also see as essential—I’d say that “balance” is more of an idea we want to believe in. In reality, there are always trade-offs.
I think most ambitious mothers would agree: accepting the fact that being excellent in one area often means missing out on something in another. This doesn’t mean you have to be rigid—it just means you need to plan your steps strategically.
What do you want your children to learn from your example as an entrepreneur?
Above all, I would like my children to find their own path, and for whatever they choose to do in life to bring them genuine fulfillment and motivation. I want them never to stop learning—because knowledge is always in style.
When you’re lucky enough to do work you truly love, work that motivates you, then every obstacle you overcome helps you grow, step out of your comfort zone, and move forward.
There’s a common belief that no one goes into education because it doesn’t bring quick profit. What’s your take on that?
Education is indeed a very specific field—it doesn’t bring quick returns, which is why people rarely choose it. My focus is not on mass enrollments but on the quality of interactive teaching and the real progress of each individual. That path may be slower, but it isn’t about short-lived trends—it’s about creating a lasting impact and improving the environment and society we live in.
The education market is flooded with offers that sound appealing but often leave participants with more questions than answers. In such an environment, Molèn stands out by guaranteeing clarity, credibility, and real results.
When participants come back to us after completing a program with words of gratitude and personal stories of how Molèn helped their professional growth and career advancement, that is priceless. Each participant leaves not only with top-tier knowledge but also with a network of contacts, support, and opportunities that will serve them long-term.
How do you see the future of education, especially in terms of professional development?
We are well aware of how saturated the market is with offers that sound attractive but deliver no real results. That’s why at Molèn Academy, we provide clearly structured programs, systematic approaches, concrete case studies, and knowledge that participants can immediately apply in practice. From day one, they have a defined path—they know where they start, where they are heading, and what they will achieve.
Who are the most common participants at the Academy, and which programs attract them most?
Most often, they are people between the ages of 25 and 50, with a clear idea of what they want to accomplish. We offer programs for complete beginners as well as for those with significant experience who lack systematic and applicable knowledge aligned with the latest trends—trends driven above all by technological advancement.
Digital marketing, brand management, AI, graphic design, and interior design are among the most popular programs.
What are the next stages in Molèn Academy’s development?
The first phase is for Molèn to become the number one academy for non-formal education in Serbia and the region. The next phase is expansion to international markets.
What advice would you give to women who want to start something of their own but fear failure?
Do you know the most quoted line in English literature? From Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “To be or not to be.” That is my advice to every woman who wants to start something of her own but fears failure: Just go for it. And even if you don’t succeed right away, keep fighting, don’t give up.
In one sentence, why should someone join the Molèn community?
Learn from experience—you need more than theory.
Interview by: Snežana Milošević, Harper's Bazaar