We are Ivan and Zambo
Best friends who met while studying at the university and knew they wanted something more from life.
We went into business without knowing we were in business.
We just wanted to help friends who had a problem with time management.
And it somehow got out of control.
Do you want a longer story?
Well then.
Žurnál was created as a project of friends, where in addition to us, the designer Matej and Ivan's wife Monika also featured.
It all started with Zambo and I not seeing each other for a whole year, during which I had just finished my studies in England and Zambo was interning at the American branch of ESET.
I had high expectations for the coffee at SKOG in Brno.
We knew we wanted to create a diary that, instead of a boring introduction, offers a section that helps the user set a personal vision.
A product that will be so minimalistic that its owners will not be disturbed by any explanations, pictures and hackneyed motivational quotes.
Eshop, where quality is not skimped from the beginning and which focuses not only on the notebook itself, but also quality accessories.
We left the coffee with our first ideas
But at the meeting we should have set the rules for working together.
Therefore, it is natural that I approached it with several concerns:
- What if it changes us both so much that we don't understand each other?
- What if the Journal method only works for us?
- What if our idea is a flop?
- What if we stop having fun?
- What if it doesn't work out financially?
When we introduced the first planner, it was as thick as a Bible and we didn't sell a single piece of it.
We knew only the basics about product design and made the first mockups on paper in a rented office.
From planners to posters. From posters to tourist shelters
Do you know what describes us?
We both like to kick the new things.
So when we got the urge to experiment with old printing technologies, we came up with Postr.
Posters that help.
What started as a fun project eventually grew to over 80 designs, most of which are long-sold out. We participated in a dozen design fairs and contributed over 30,000 euros to the renovation of several tourist shelters, marked trails and mountain wells.
Moreover, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign , to which people contributed 60,000 euros, we were able to fully embark on our big goal together with Hikemates - the construction of 4 tourist shelters on the Route of the Heroes of the SNP. They are currently built and managed by local KST units.
You can visit them in person or on the website https://www.turistickeutulne.sk
Books? Why not in your own bookstore?
"What would it be like to have your own operation?"
We have been asking ourselves this question since the founding of Žurnál.
Even more so when we started working on our book projects .
It was clear to us that we wouldn't be able to pull it off on our own. That's why we teamed up with Martin "Žltý" Jenča and investor Michal Meško, and in September 2021 we opened the Brot Books Deli bookstore at Panenská 32.
A place where you can satisfy your desire for quality books and magazines.
After two years of doing business together, Zambo and I withdrew from Brot.
But you can still find magazines and a quality selection of design books and magazines there today.
After more than 8 years, our fears have not come true
Zambo and I are still pulling it together.
Žurnál has already helped more than 60,000 people.
Our method has a 97% satisfaction rate.
And we still enjoy it just as much.
Žurnál has already helped more than 60,000 OF YOU
Only the last point is catching up with us so far.
Doing it honestly, slowly and locally takes its toll.
It is this, the seventh year of business, that we should turn to green numbers for the first time.
And to prove to ourselves and our supporting families that it can be a sustainable business.
Thank you for supporting us in this.
Ivan and Zambo