An Entrepreneurial Journey That Started at 19: The Story of Miha Lavtar

One of the greatest values of entrepreneurship is the willingness to face challenges and continuously learn. Miha Lavtar, founder of OptiWeb, experienced this firsthand. He began his entrepreneurial journey while still in high school. During an entrepreneurial afternoon event, he shared his story, experiences, and practical advice with GEA Top Talents.

The Decision: University or Entrepreneurship?
As a high school student, Miha Lavtar created his first website, dreaming of passive income and a “beach lifestyle.” But the reality of entrepreneurship turned out to be very different. When faced with the decision between pursuing university studies or managing his company, he chose to go independent. Today, he leads a successful team behind the OptiWeb brand.

Five Key Entrepreneurial Lessons He Shared with Students:

• Vision is Key – You don’t need to know exactly what you want to do today, but it’s important to set at least micro-goals. His first vision was simple: to create a work environment where the employee and the boss are on the same side.
• Branding and Networking – Much of OptiWeb’s success is linked to a strong LinkedIn presence and strategic brand building. Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards—it’s a chance to gain new ideas and build collaborations.
• Soft Skills Matter – Public speaking, negotiation, and sales are crucial skills every entrepreneur needs. “You can practice negotiating every day, in every situation. The worst that can happen is hearing a ‘no,’” he emphasized.
• Effort and Perseverance – Nothing happens overnight. Success takes time, and persistence is one of the most important qualities for any entrepreneur.
• Work Organization – Daily goals, effective tools, and good organization are essential for business growth. Everyone must find their own system that enables productivity and clear priorities.

The Ability to Say “No”
Miha Lavtar also highlighted the importance of being able to say “no”—both in business and in life. Whether it’s about projects that don’t bring value or clients that aren’t the right fit, setting boundaries is key to long-term success.

His Advice to Students?
Try as many things as possible, learn from every experience, and don’t worry too much about what others think of you. Success is born from courage and a willingness to embrace failure.