Tampa Bay Think Tank

Bob Swick will be our evening’s speaker on January 19, 2012.

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Maja Kazazic

Maja Kazaic, CEO of Vela Business Solutions, Palm Harbor captivated our Tampa Bay Think Tank (TBTT) members, as guest speaker at our second quarter meeting (April 21, 2011). Maja currently has a creative and thriving company that offers business solutions, including website and software development, branding and BPM. That’s already an accomplishment in today’s economy. English wasn’t her first language though. She learned by watching the Cosby Show and other American television programs during her teens.

Those of you who know Maja, or who were lucky enough to be in attendance know that a language and culture barrier were not the largest hurdles to success in her new homeland and in business. The biggest key to her success and in her life is her positive outlook, and the fact that she allowed others to provide help. I’m jumping to the end of the story a little, but her message is really what she would want you to focus on while reading.

Maja always had an interest in playing soccer and being independent. She was raised in Mostar in Bosnia-Hercegovina until age sixteen, two years after the Bosnian genocide and the start of two wars. On July 14, 1993, a  mortar shell fell in her courtyard, critically injuring her and killing six of her friends. Her legs were shattered, her face and arm were peppered with shrapnel. Cared for in a makeshift basement hospital, her left leg was eventually amputated below the knee without benefit of anesthesia. Without proper medication, her other injuries, including the massive injuries to her right leg festered in the mid-summer heat. She lay close to death when she was selected to be one of three children evacuated to Croatia, then Germany and eventually, to the United States. One year later, as a resident of a small Maryland town, Maja taught herself English and was enrolled in high school, determined to pick up the remnants of her shattered life.

She provided some staggering statistics such as 279,000 people killed (6.3% of the population), horrifying stories such as daily cutting away of infected skin, fear for the lives of her friends and family, and needing to say quick and painful goodbye when opportunity came for survival. What struck me most was that she never lost hope and never thought about how close to death she came until an adult. She presented her story to provide perspective, but stressed that she doesn’t consider herself a hero – just a person who embraces life.

Maja has had over 100 surgeries and could not walk for two years. She progressed with her artificial legs from rails, to walker, to cane, to a marching band. Her story also involves another local survivor, Winter the Dolphin, who lost part of her tail in a crab trap. Maja enjoyed visiting Winter at the Clearwater aquarium and observed that with her prosthetic, she swam perfectly. Using her resourcefulness and initiative she contacted Hanger Orthotics and Prosthetics, the company that designed for Winter. Within ten days Maja had a comfortable, great fitting prosthetic which let her be pain free. She ran her first marathon (Gasparilla) earlier this year.

Maja gives back to many individuals and organizations who have provided help to her, and who provide opportunities to others who are living with amputation. Just that evening, TBTT members donated an unprecedented $650 to Maja’s chosen charity – Camp No Limits. NoLimitsFoundation.org, their website, was re-designed by Maja’s company, and includes more details on the mission - To educate and empower young people with limb loss to discover and develop a healthy, happy and independent lifestyle.

Read Maja’s full story in her own words. It is truly amazing. She never gave up, and always considers herself lucky. Her family is also safe and now living in America. Her lesson on any success or project is threefold. 1) Break it down into small steps; 2) Maintain a positive attitude; 3) Ask for help.

We reviewed Maja’s presentation during our roundtable discussions and felt that the hardest of the three is to ask for help. Maybe it’s pride, independence, lack of trust or any number of reasons, but Maja is an example of the benefit. She continues to receive mentorship on her business from friends and colleagues, and hires outside contractors and employees who are expert in their field.

TBTT appreciates the story, lessons, and friendship of Maja Kazazic. Visit TampaBayThinkTank.com to learn more about our group, and to join us at future meetings.

Join other invited, distinguished executives and business owners/leaders on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Regency Oaks.

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Tampa Bay Think Tank Mission Statement: Providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and initiatives among business owners and executives in order to enhance the success, profitability and growth of Tampa Bay businesses.

• Are you ready to hear a compelling story about an effective approach to life?
• Would you like to spend an evening with other like?minded individuals without a “formal networking” feel?
• Is it new inspiration you seek to drive you to be willing to adapt and change in life and business?

If so, this is your invitation to RSVP to TampaBayThinkTank.com for the April 21st TBTT Event!

The Bosnian War was raging in Mostar in the early 1990’s. The citizens of Mostar had been managing the best they could. Foraging for food, hauling water from the river, helping each other get through dark nights filled with gunfire. As though living with a war being fought outside her front door wasn’t challenge enough, Maja’s life changed forever in the summer of 1993. A mortar shell fell in her courtyard, critically injuring her and killing six of her friends. Her legs were shattered, her face and arm were peppered with shrapnel. Cared for in a makeshift basement hospital, her left leg was eventually amputated below the knee without benefit of anesthesia. Without proper medication, her other injuries, including the massive injuries to her right leg festered in the mid?summer heat. She lay close to death when she was selected to be one of three children evacuated to Croatia, then Germany and eventually, to the United States. One year later, as a resident of a small Maryland town, Maja taught herself English and enrolled herself in high school, determined to pick up the remnants of her shattered life. In rapid succession she joined the marching band, put herself through college and now runs a successful web development company. In the process, she has also learned to windsurf and to play tennis and golf, despite the obvious challenges these pastimes present to a below the knee amputee. Maja travels the country telling her story in a simple, compelling way. She is a living testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and the value of determination and tenacity.  Imagine how she will inspire you!

Tampa Bay Think Tank Tuesday, April 21, 2011 Event Agenda:
5:00 PM: Registration/Networking. Appetizers and beverages will be provided courtesy of Regency Oaks.
6:00 PM: Maja’s introduction, her story and the sharing of ideas and inspiration for personal and business success.
6:45 PM: Questions & Answers and additional thoughts
7:00 PM: Donation collection for charity of Maja’s choice and close of event

Join other invited, distinguished executives and business owners/leaders on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Regency Oaks

John Faulkner is President and CEO of Cornerstone.  He founded the company in 1984 as “Faulkner Landscaping,” which was located in the Odessa area, northwest of Tampa.  After buying two progressively larger properties for nursery use, he purchased a 117-acre farm on Bellamy Brothers Boulevard in Dade City, in eastern Pasco County and named the business, “Cornerstone Tree Farm, Inc.” 

In 2008 the name was changed again due to the fact that Cornerstone was offering so many more services and having “Tree Farm” in the name implied that the company was one-dimensional. Cornerstone’s vision is to provide a level of quality in services and products that surpass the rigorous demands of the best builders and developers in the country.

With Cornerstone, three things are certain…they have the answer, they value quality and integrity, they are the best in their industry.  That is why eight of Florida’s top ten builders, and 18 of the top 25, maintain long-term working relationships with Cornerstone

Formerly a trained jet engine mechanic in the United States Marine Corps, John says his primary area of study is “Hard Work.”  John’s biggest goal for himself and his employees – to do what you say you will do.   Serving his clients is the top of his list of business priorities.   John says, “I run a relationship-oriented company that builds and maintains relationships through service and commitment to integrity.”

As a leader in the community, John is involved with his church, a Christian businessman’s organization, C-12, and commits regularly to assisting with community development projects around the Tampa Bay area