Barbora Neradová: The Art of Reinvention

Od modnih pista Milana i Pariza do crvenog tepiha Filmskog festivala u Kanu, od osnivanja uspešne kompanije za investiranje u stambene nekretnine u Pragu do usavršavanja na Harvardu i Whartonu – životni put Barbore Neradove obeležili su ambicija, istrajnost i spremnost da se neprestano razvija. Pored uspešne karijere u modi i biznisu, humanitarni rad i lično iskustvo života sa Kronovom bolešću oblikovali su njenu širu misiju usmerenu ka zdravlju, dugovečnosti i stvaranju trajnog pozitivnog uticaja. U ekskluzivnom intervjuu govori o iskustvima koja su je oblikovala, lekcijama koje je naučila i nasleđu koje želi da ostavi – kako u poslovnom svetu, tako i u životima ljudi koje inspiriše.

Vaše putovanje počelo je u Milanu kada ste imali samo šesnaest godina. Kada se osvrnete na taj period, koje su lekcije iz tih ranih godina najviše oblikovale ženu i profesionalca kakvi ste danas?

Sa šesnaest godina, dok sam još pohađala srednju školu, počela sam redovno da putujem u Milano zbog posla. Usklađivanje školskih obaveza sa radom u modnoj industriji naučilo me je disciplini, odgovornosti i brzom prilagođavanju novim okruženjima.

Ono najvažnije što sam tada naučila bilo je da se oslonim na sebe. Još od mladosti naučila sam da samostalno rešavam probleme i da se ne plašim da se nađem sama u novom gradu ili zemlji. Ta iskustva su mi dala osećaj nezavisnosti koji me prati do danas i koji i dalje oblikuje i ženu i preduzetnicu kakva sam postala.

Uspešno ste izgradili karijeru u modi, preduzetništvu i investiranju. Kako uspevate da uskladite kreativnost sa disciplinom i strateškim razmišljanjem koje zahtevaju biznis i finansije?

Za mene kreativnost i biznis nisu suprotnosti – oni se međusobno dopunjuju. Moda mi omogućava da izrazim viziju, emocije i individualnost, dok biznis zahteva strukturu, analizu i dugoročno razmišljanje. Naučila sam da kreativnost najbolje dolazi do izražaja kada je podržana disciplinom. Svakoj prilici pristupam sa podjednakom dozom intuicije i pažljivog planiranja. Bilo da radim na modnom projektu ili donosim investicionu odluku, verujem da uspeh dolazi iz spoja strasti i dobre pripreme.

Od Nedelje visoke mode u Parizu do Filmskog festivala u Kanu, prisustvovali ste nekim od najprestižnijih događaja na svetu. Koji trenutak vam je ostao u najlepšem sećanju i zbog čega?

Svaki događaj bio je poseban na svoj način, ali moj prvi izlazak na crveni tepih Filmskog festivala u Kanu, povodom premijere filma The Man I Love, zauvek će ostati jedno od mojih najlepših sećanja. Godinama sam sanjala taj trenutak, pa je sve delovalo gotovo nestvarno.

Jedan trenutak me i danas nasmeje – jedan fotograf je izgovorio moje ime, a zatim su to počeli da rade i mnogi drugi. Bilo je potpuno neočekivano, a ja sam iskreno uživala u svakom trenutku, posebno zato što sam se odlično osećala u haljini koju sam nosila.

Veče je postalo još posebnije kada sam shvatila da sedim samo dva reda iza Ramija Maleka, glavnog glumca filma The Man I Love. To je bio jedan od onih retkih trenutaka kada zastanete i pomislite: „Ovo se zaista dešava.“ Uspomena koju ću zauvek čuvati.

Osnivač ste kompanije za investiranje u stambene nekretnine u Pragu. Šta vas je inspirisalo da uđete u svet investicija i šta vam je u preduzetništvu najispunjavajuće?

Oduvek me je privlačilo stvaranje dugoročne vrednosti, a nekretnine su mi se činile kao prirodan izbor. Ono u čemu najviše uživam jeste činjenica da ne ulažem samo u nekretnine, već ih kroz kompletne renovacije pretvaram u nove, kvalitetne životne prostore. Na taj način spajam biznis i kreativnost i svakom prostoru dajem novi život.

Izgradnja sopstvene kompanije u Pragu pružila mi je slobodu da sledim svoju viziju. Svaki projekat je drugačiji, što znači da neprestano učim, rešavam nove izazove i stvaram nešto što ima trajnu vrednost.

Vaše obrazovanje obuhvata i izvršne programe na Harvardu i Whartonu. Kako je kontinuirano usavršavanje uticalo na vaš pristup liderstvu, poslovanju i ličnom razvoju?

Oduvek sam verovala da učenje ne prestaje završetkom školovanja. Upravo zato sam odlučila da pohađam izvršne programe na Harvardu i Whartonu.

Veoma mi je važno da povremeno izađem iz svog uobičajenog okruženja i okružim se ljudima iz različitih industrija, kultura i sredina. Takva iskustva menjaju način na koji razmišljam, inspirišu nove ideje i podsećaju me da uvek postoji nešto novo što možemo da naučimo. Ona su oblikovala ne samo moj pristup biznisu i liderstvu, već i moj lični razvoj.

Humanitarni rad važan je deo vašeg života, posebno nakon volonterskog iskustva na Filipinima. Kako je to iskustvo promenilo vaš pogled na svet i šta vas danas motiviše da pomažete drugima?

Volontiranje na Filipinima iskustvo je koje nikada neću zaboraviti. Najviše me je iznenadilo koliko sam svakodnevno bila okružena srećom, dobrotom i toplinom. Tada sam shvatila koliko su upravo najjednostavniji trenuci oni koji nam zauvek ostanu u srcu.

Deca u školi u kojoj smo volontirali bila su neverovatno srdačna. Pre nego što smo otišli, svako od njih poklonio nam je ručno izrađenu čestitku sa crtežom i ličnom porukom. Svoju i danas čuvam kod kuće i svaki put kada je pogledam izmami mi osmeh.

Ovo iskustvo bilo je posebno i zato što sam ga podelila sa divnom grupom volontera iz svoje zemlje. Zajednički rad, međusobna podrška i svi trenuci koje smo zajedno proživeli stvorili su prijateljstva i uspomene koje ću zauvek nositi sa sobom. Podsetilo me je da se neke od najjačih veza stvaraju upravo onda kada se ljudi udruže kako bi pomogli drugima.

Život sa Kronovom bolešću učinio je zdravlje i dugovečnost vašom ličnom misijom. Koje navike, način razmišljanja ili svakodnevne prakse su vam pomogle da izazove pretvorite u snagu? Šta biste poručili ljudima koji se suočavaju sa sličnim zdravstvenim problemima?

Život sa Kronovom bolešću naučio me je da slušam svoje telo i da zdravlje uvek stavljam na prvo mesto. Potpuno je promenio moj odnos prema ishrani, fizičkoj aktivnosti, upravljanju stresom i opštem načinu života. Umesto da dijagnozu doživljavam kao ograničenje, odlučila sam da je posmatram kao priliku da izgradim zdraviji i svesniji način života. Svima koji se suočavaju sa hroničnom bolešću poručila bih da budu strpljivi prema sebi, da nikada ne izgube nadu i da zapamte da je oporavak putovanje. Vaši izazovi vas ne definišu – oni mogu postati jedan od najvećih izvora vaše snage i svrhe.

Kako nastavljate da razvijate svoju karijeru u modi, biznisu i filantropiji, kakvo nasleđe želite da ostavite – ne samo u industrijama u kojima radite, već i u životima ljudi koje inspirišete?

Nadam se da moja priča pokazuje da ne moramo da se ograničimo na jednu ulogu ili jedan put. Moguće je iznova se pronaći, započeti nešto novo, učiti nove veštine i izgraditi više različitih karijera. Ako moja životna priča ohrabri makar jednu osobu da poveruje u sebe, izađe iz svoje zone komfora ili shvati da može više nego što je ikada mislila, smatraću da sam ostvarila nešto zaista vredno.

English here:

Your journey began in Milan when you were just sixteen years old. Looking back, what lessons from those early years have had the greatest influence on the woman and professional you are today?

At sixteen, while I was still in high school, I began traveling regularly to Milan for work. Balancing school with the fashion industry taught me discipline, responsibility, and how to adapt quickly to new environments.

Most importantly, it taught me to rely on myself. From an early age, I learned to solve problems on my own and not be afraid of finding myself alone in a new city or country. Those experiences gave me a sense of independence that has stayed with me ever since and continues to shape both the woman and the entrepreneur I am today.

You’ve successfully built careers across fashion, entrepreneurship, and investment. How do you balance creativity with the discipline and strategic thinking required in business and finance?

For me, creativity and business are not opposite they complement each other. Fashion allows me to express vision, emotion, and individuality, while business requires structure, analysis, and long-term thinking. I’ve learned that creativity flourishes when supported by discipline. Every opportunity I pursue is approached with both intuition and careful planning. Whether I’m working on a fashion project or making an investment decision, I believe success comes from combining passion with preparation.

From Paris Haute Couture Week to the Cannes Film Festival, you’ve experienced some of the world’s most prestigious events. Which moment has been the most unforgettable, and what made it so special?

Every event has been special in its own way, but attending my first red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival for the premiere of The Man I Love is a memory I’ll never forget. It had been a dream of mine for many years, so being there felt truly surreal.

One moment that still makes me smile is when one photographer called out my name, and suddenly many of the others started doing the same. It was completely unexpected, and I was simply enjoying every second of it, especially because I loved the outfit I was wearing.

The evening became even more memorable when I realized I was seated just two rows behind Rami Malek, the lead actor in The Man I Love. Looking back, it was one of those rare moments when you stop and think, this is really happening. It’s a memory I’ll always treasure.

You are the founder of a residential real estate investment company in Prague. What inspired you to enter the world of investing, and what do you find most rewarding about entrepreneurship?

I’ve always been drawn to creating long-term value, and real estate felt like a natural fit. What I enjoy most is that I don’t just invest in properties, I transform them through complete residential renovations. It allows me to combine business with creativity and bring new life to each space.

Building my own business in Prague has given me the freedom to pursue my own vision. Every project is different, which means I’m constantly learning, solving problems, and creating something meaningful.

Your academic journey includes executive education programs at Harvard and Wharton. How has continuing your education shaped your approach to leadership, business, and personal growth?

I’ve always believed that learning doesn’t stop when you leave school. That’s one of the reasons I chose to attend executive programs at Harvard and Wharton.

For me, it’s incredibly important to step outside my usual environment and surround myself with people from different industries, cultures, and backgrounds. Those experiences challenge the way I think, inspire new ideas, and remind me that there’s always something new to learn. They’ve shaped not only the way I approach business and leadership, but also the way I continue to grow as a person.

Humanitarian work is an important part of your life, particularly following your volunteer experience in the Philippines. How did that experience change your perspective, and what continues to motivate you to give back?

Volunteering in the Philippines is something I’ll never forget. What surprised me the most was how much happiness, kindness, and warmth I experienced every day. It made me appreciate how often the simplest moments are the ones that stay with us.

The children at the school where we volunteered were so welcoming. Before we left, each of them gave us a handmade card with a drawing and a personal message. I still keep mine at home, and every time I see it, it brings a smile to my face.

The experience was also special because I shared it with an incredible group of volunteers from my home country. Working together, supporting one another, and sharing those moments created friendships and memories I’ll always value. It reminded me that some of the strongest connections are built when people come together to help others.

Living with Crohn’s disease has made health and longevity a deeply personal mission. What habits, mindset, or daily practices have helped you transform adversity into strength? What advice would you offer to others facing similar health challenges?

Living with Crohn’s disease has taught me to listen to my body and to prioritize my health without compromise. It has completely changed the way I approach nutrition, movement, stress management, and overall well-being. Rather than seeing the diagnosis as a limitation, I’ve chosen to see it as an opportunity to build a healthier and more intentional life. My advice to anyone facing a chronic illness is to be patient with yourself, never lose hope, and remember that healing is a journey. Your challenges do not define you, they can become one of your greatest sources of strength and purpose.

As you continue to expand your career across fashion, business, and philanthropy, what legacy do you hope to leave, not only within your industries, but in the lives of the people you inspire?

I hope my story shows that you don’t have to fit into one box. You can reinvent yourself, start over, learn new skills, and build more than one career. If my journey encourages someone to take a chance on themselves, step outside their comfort zone, or believe that they’re capable of more than they imagined, that would mean the world to me.

Team credits:

Photographer: Stefan Imielski @imielski
Model: Barbora Neradova @barbora_nerad
Styling: Daria Neubauer @daria_neubauer
Hair & Make-up: Rada Jurkovic @rada_jurkovic
Location: 247 Studio Munich @247_studio_munich