Returned from Germany to Livno and Opened a Ćevabdžinica
After more than a decade working in Frankfurt, Vilim Rubić launched a family business in his hometown and now plans to start his own farm.
After more than a decade working in Frankfurt, Vilim Rubić launched a family business in his hometown and now plans to start his own farm.
More than ten years ago, Vilim Rubić left his hometown of Livno for Germany, and with him, around thirty acquaintances and friends from his region began working at Frankfurt Airport. Today, he has returned home, opened a family-run ćevabdžinica, and claims he has never regretted that decision.
In Germany, Rubić worked at the airport, his wife in hospitality, and over time, they started their own business. Still, they always thought about returning, which they finally did three years ago.
"When we came back here, we felt reborn. It's much more relaxed here with us. There's none of that stress. Here, you can get done in an hour what would take you half a day in Germany," Rubić tells Fena.
His return also included what he missed most while abroad, being close to his family. Currently, the Rubić family lives just a few minutes away from their workplace, with their parents and other relatives nearby, which has been especially important since they became parents.
Returning to his hometown did not mean completely cutting business ties with Germany. Rubić used the knowledge he gained at Frankfurt Airport to establish his own company, which he now runs from Livno and which recruits and trains workers from Bosnia and Herzegovina for jobs at that German airport.
After that, almost without a plan, another family story emerged. While earning a salary in Frankfurt, he thought about opening a ćevabdžinica in that city. "After returning to Livno, a suitable business space became available, and I decided to realize that idea at home. I didn't expect the business to take off so quickly," he recalls.
Thus, three years ago, the ćevabdžinica "Kula" opened in the town at the foot of Bačevac, named after one of Livno's most recognizable symbols. From the start, it has been a true family venture, with his wife playing a key role as she took over managing the kitchen.
According to Rubić, insisting on quality from day one was crucial to the success of the catering establishment.
"There's no special recipe here, just quality. The meat simply has to be top-notch. At first, that kind of calculation might not seem the best when you're buying more expensive, higher-quality meat, but we look at it in the long run," emphasizes the Livno entrepreneur.
He believes that going to Germany was not a mistake because he gained habits there that he now applies in business.
"Germany taught me discipline, order, and organization the most. Today, I can say that good organization is half the job. If I hadn't gone to Germany, there certainly wouldn't be this ćevabdžinica today."
The Livno entrepreneur does not plan to stop at just catering and is already working on plans to expand the business. One of the more significant ventures is establishing his own farm, from which part of the domestic products would go straight to their restaurant. That project is already ready, and they are currently waiting for the necessary permits. Plans include raising cattle and poultry and producing organic eggs.
"We want to have our own food from our own farm. The ćevabdžinica will remain a ćevabdžinica, but we want to expand the offer to include veal under the peka and other traditional dishes," Rubić announces.
At the end of the conversation, he sends an encouraging message to all those considering a return:
"I don't have a universal recipe, but I think it's worth trying if someone sees the opportunity to start something on their own at home. If you think you can do something privately, come back!"
