You studied Economics at Corvinus and wrote your thesis on the fashion industry. You then worked in this field in London for several years. How did your path lead you from there to the cruise business? 

During my undergraduate studies, I spent a semester in London on Erasmus. I fell in love with the city and knew I wanted to return. After graduating in 2016, I was hired into the procurement department of a small company, and over the next few years I worked at several other firms. In total, I spent three and a half years working abroad in the fashion industry. Then a friend of mine took me to a cruise conference, and I instantly fell in love with this sector. Later, I went on several cruises, and when I returned to Hungary, I started working in marketing for a travel agency. During Covid, I experienced what it’s like to lose your job overnight. I had just started a new position when hotels closed, and I lost my job. That’s when I realized that the security of employment isn’t always what it seems, and I decided to start my own business. For several years, I managed social media accounts for various companies, and at the same time, I began working with my partner on CLICKnCRUISE. 

How did the idea come about to start a business specifically mediating cruise trips? 

The final push came at the end of Covid when I wanted to book a cruise, but a major travel agency couldn’t help me reserve the trip I wanted. Most cruise lines really do have outdated and not very user-friendly online booking systems. That’s when the idea came: we could develop a platform where booking different cruise trips would be simple and hassle-free. 

What were the most important skills you developed at university that have proven useful to you as an entrepreneur? 

I was part of ÖCSI (Self-Active Groups) at Corvinus, which contributed a lot to my personal development. I’m naturally introverted, but in ÖCSI, I had to learn to represent different interests and stand up for important causes, often involving public speaking. That experience has been invaluable as an entrepreneur, for example when I need to convince investors. In addition, I use a lot of what I learned about finance, accounting, and corporate law on a daily basis in my business. In the early years of a startup, when you don’t yet have the funds to hire a top lawyer or an outstanding accountant, it’s especially important to have a generalist knowledge and at least a basic understanding of every area. 

What advice would you give to a current student considering founding a startup? 

The most important thing is your team and a trustworthy partner. That’s why I think students should take full advantage of being at Corvinus, which is one of the best places to build connections, and pay attention to talented peers who could later become their colleagues. Another key factor is to only pursue something that truly excites them. I’ve seen that investors, especially at the beginning, pay close attention to how enthusiastic and committed the founders are, and how much effort they’re willing to put in upfront to bring their idea to life.