In the latest episode of the Business Club podcast, hosted by Branko Azeski, President of the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia, the guest is Arijana Koskarova—entrepreneur, co-founder of Creative Hub, a digital skills academy operating in three markets (Macedonia, Kosovo, and Miami, USA), and recipient of Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe Award in the Social Entrepreneurship category, recognizing young individuals whose business ideas create societal value. In the conversation with Koskarova, the discussion draws parallels between entrepreneurship in Macedonia and the United States, presenting insights into entrepreneurship and business model development from a unique perspective—utilizing grants for education to provide higher-quality training and foster connections with industry professionals.

Koskarova emphasized that the United States focuses on building a robust economy by investing in businesses and new ventures. According to her, the U.S.A. offers many practices that could serve as examples for our country’s development, including the concept of economic zones.

“If you’re a businessperson looking to make significant investments, they provide opportunities within economic zones. The goal is to develop these zones into fully-fledged cities rather than concentrating everything in urban centers like Miami. Businesses investing in these zones benefit from tax advantages, which are crucial in the U.S.A.,” Koskarova explained.

Koskarova holds an MBA degree from the International University of Monaco and has gained experience and work discipline through roles in Shanghai, New York, Miami, and Bali. Despite living abroad, in 2017, she decided to invest in her home country by co-founding Creative Hub Academy in Skopje. In 2022, the academy expanded to Pristina and Miami.

Her business story in Miami, U.S.A., began in 2022, following her receipt of a U.S. visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities. After waiting a year for accreditation, the academy officially launched operations in 2024. Koskarova has secured two grants: one from the U.S. Department of Commerce for training unemployed Americans in AI-related skills, and another from the City of Miami.

In her discussion with Azeski, Arijana Koskarova, MBA, highlighted three key elements for entrepreneurial success in the U.S.: 1) Experience in business development; 2) Education, with strategic priorities focused on equipping individuals with market-relevant skills through free training, particularly in artificial intelligence; 3) Investment, supported through incentive measures for businesses.

Koskarova noted that the U.S.A. and Miami specifically, where she is based, offers significant support to entrepreneurs, including grants for launching businesses via specialized agencies, as well as promotional assistance to increase company visibility.

Focusing on the younger population in the U.S., Koskarova emphasized two key factors for success: 1) Citizenship status—whether one is a native American or an immigrant; and 2) Skillset—those without skills are often trapped in low-paying jobs, becoming slaves to society. Young Americans, however, enjoy access to quality, free education and grants for startups, businesses, and accelerators. Immigrants with skills also receive substantial support, particularly in scientific research and business development.

In addition to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Award, Adrijana Koskarova, MBA, received the Woman Entrepreneur Award in Davos during the World Economic Forum, further solidifying her reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship.