Jakub Jarabica has been leading Blueweb, one of the most prominent e-commerce companies in Slovakia, for more than 16 years. Together with his team, they created the Venalio platform, helped clients generate hundreds of millions of euros, and built the Upterdam conference, which is becoming the top e-commerce event in Slovakia. In Reels Talk byAndré, we discussed networking, healthy growth, decision-making, and why business is not just about money.

Networking as a Necessary Skill for Introverts

Although many people might not expect it, Jakub describes himself as an introvert. He had to build his relationship with networking gradually. It was not always natural to him, but he knows how much it can propel him forward.

“It is extremely enriching. You step out of your bubble, suddenly see things differently, and expand your horizons,” he says. According to him, the key is simply to accept the discomfort and understand that growth begins beyond the comfort zone.

He Founded the Company in School. Today, He Leads a Team of 25

Even before entering university, he got involved in his first front-end modifications. A few months later, his part-time job became an entrepreneurial path. He founded a company, gradually bought out his partner’s share, and focused solely on e-commerce.

“I have to see meaning in things. Otherwise, I can’t do it,” he describes his approach. Today, Blueweb has a team of around 25 people, they operate openly and without complex structures. About two dozen clients have been with them for the long term, and that is their goal: fewer relationships, more value.

Why Blueweb Doesn’t Chase Numbers

Blueweb has been growing steadily. But it’s not about ego or maximizing profits. “I’m satisfied with what I have. Other things motivate me more than a higher income,” Jakub admits.

In recent years, he has shifted his focus away from chasing numbers and more towards finding impact, value, and meaning. And this shows that e-commerce is not just a business for him. It is an environment he knows, understands, and wants to build in the long term.

How Blueweb Built a Conference with Community Impact

When Blueweb acquired Upterdam, it was not an impulsive decision. It took them almost a year to thoroughly consider whether the project made sense – financially, strategically, and for the community. The conference has hundreds of visitors, six-figure euro costs, and is based on a combination of content, partnerships, and details. And according to Jakub, it’s the details that make the difference:

“It’s about the little things. Clips, a map in the back, a clear badge. The whole is created from the small parts.“

What was Jakub’s Weirdest Experience in Business?

When it came to the strangest experience in 16 years of entrepreneurship, he didn’t hesitate for a moment:

“We built a porn website. And we realized that we don’t want to do that.“
Sometimes a person has to know where their boundaries lie, and at Blueweb, they set them very clearly.

Learn More in the Interview

What are Jakub’s goals for Upterdam and Blueweb? How does he balance work and personal life? And how does he view the competition? Listen to the full interview to discover more interesting information.