A conversation with Anna and Bogdan Roszczyniała – owners of transport companies located in Poznań, nominated for the titles: Charismatic Woman and Leader by Vocation – on how the greatness of love brought them together and gave strength to survive. Last year, their company celebrated the 30th anniversary of its activity, and this year, Mr and Mrs Roszczyniała are going to toast their 45th wedding anniversary. Yes, they have faced problems at times, but have taken them as life lessons. Appreciation of joint achievements and beautiful experiences makes them feel happy.
When was the first time you meet?
Anna Roszczyniała: we were at a student camp. Bogdan noticed me, even though I was there with another boy. During our year-and-a-half acquaintance, we only met five times, but it was enough for Bogdan to propose.
Bogdan Roszczyniała: I knew immediately that it was either her or none.
AR: I was enchanted by his voice, appearance, and manners. He always let me finish my statement, always listened to me. We simply fell in love with each other.
BR: Ania had and still has so much warmth in her that she could share it with many others, not to mention her beauty. She’s kind, feminine, caring and very helpful. I’m the zodiac Taurus, which means I have always been consequent. Even when I drove from Bydgoszcz to the first official meeting with Anna, arranged in Poznań in the severe winter of the century in 1978, I got my way despite the opposites. I left home and got stuck in a snowdrift in a small town outside Bydgoszcz, but I managed to get to the station at the eleventh hour. Ania was already standing in the doorway of the train, but I managed to get her onto the platform at the last moment, otherwise she would have left without me in a moment (laughs).
Ania, have you always been charismatic?
AR: I have never been a leader of any group. I belong to the generation that was told: stay out of the way and they will always find you. I come from a small town. My family stayed there and they’re really happy there. I’ve always known my goals, where to get to, and my future place. I’m a zodiac Leo and sometimes I like to have my mane shake. After getting married, we settled in Bydgoszcz. My husband and I both have a degree in economics, and for the first few years my husband worked in Bydgoszcz as a dormitory manager at the Academy of Music.
Do you play any instruments?
BR: I do play the accordion and the piano, although at the Academy I held an administrative office.
AR: From the beginning I was the one making the turnover. At first, I used to hold quite lucrative positions, but then we decided to open a big factory in Bydgoszcz and produce paving blocks. I completed the craft courses required for such production at the time. Soon our children came to this world, two sons, Jakub and Filip, so I took care of their upbringing.
BR: In turn, I imported a large machine from abroad and we developed the production business. We prospered for about 10 years, built a house with a garden and a playground for the children. Then came the time of political and economic transition, the Balcerowicz reform, and everything went to hell. We took out a loan to build the hall, but two years too early. So we went bankrupt. We closed down the company in Bydgoszcz, sold our assets to cover our liabilities and moved to Poznań to start all over again. I was 43 at the time, and Ania was 38. We rented a flat from a lovely lady called Basia, who helped us a lot and we’ve stayed in close contact ever since.
Did you establish a company in Poznan?
BR: I ended up in the transport industry without any experience in the field, but I took on the challenge. We were employed by a German company that was setting up a logistics centre including transport for one of the big food corporations. The owner had branches in Germany and Poland. He suggested me to come to Wolfsburg and choose a car to drive. It was a used MAN, then he sold me other ones. He was very kind, repeatedly showing a helping hand in the development of our company. We carried out our first order with MAN and we have remained loyal to this brand ever since, except that now we only buy new vehicles.
What are the advantages of MAN trucks?
BR: They are refrigerated semi-trailer trucks. We specialise in food transport. We have large deliveries for specific customers. The high quality of our services is largely due to over twenty years of cooperation with a reliable, mobile and friendly service near Bydgoszcz.
How many years can you drive these trucks?
BR: We change them every seven to eight years; we have 22 sets of TIRs. We have to meet the requirements of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), i.e. maintain the quality of food products during transport and storage, implement control procedures, also meet the requirements of the Sanitary Inspectorate: the vehicles are washed and disinfected in special washing facilities, reporting the means this was done by. We are now setting up new security systems, GPS to monitor drivers and cars. Refrigerated trucks must have sensors installed to control the required temperature and access to the loading area. Employees undergo dedicated trainings, including the matters considering health and safety rules or working hours. Every year we organise meetings with the legal guardian so that the drivers know the current regulations.
What are the company’s structure and staffing levels?
BR: We have several companies, each family member runs their own – but we are all involved in refrigerated transport. We employ 22 drivers plus two administrative staff and a legal advisor. Last year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the company.
So it was a family celebration and the company has a succession.
AR: The older son, Jakub (45), has a degree in political science – he is in charge of the overall company organisation. The younger one, Filip (42), is a logistics graduate – he is responsible for technical supervision of the fleet, equipment and drivers. They like to come to us with their families. The older granddaughter successfully trains in basketball and we attend her games. The younger one practices ballet and acrobatics. There is also a grandson – passionate about football. All the children are great. We are very proud of them!
How are you going to celebrate your 45th wedding anniversary?
BR: It’s the Sapphire anniversary, but Ania says jewels are only good for the drawer, so we prefer to invest in property. We’ve just bought a new flat. We’re having a family party in May.
AR: We want to go to Spain for a month and enjoy the sun after winter. We have several flats scattered around our seaside. We often spend time in Kołobrzeg, I love Gdańsk and the St. Dominic’s Fair. My husband flashbacks to Sopot with fondness because he spent his childhood there. We love the atmosphere of the Tricity, we feel great there, so we often choose to stay there.
What are you most proud of?
BR: Professionally, we are proud of the fact that through work and consequence we have managed to achieve success. We have been lucky with people who have helped us a lot in difficult moments. We remember that.
AR: I think we are a wonderful family, one with a capital F. The challenges we have encountered along the way resulted in taking our health more seriously, but we always try to think positively. I’m happy that Bogdan and I are married, we love each other, we are friends, we can share everything, we know one another, we give each other space. I have to reveal that even when I’m alone, I feel his wings behind me, his energy.
BR: We miss each other when we’re separated.
AR: We complement one another. I like to stop and stare, and it’s good I have a loving husband, standing firmly on the ground, who makes me get a grip. Bogdan, on the other hand, draws some imagination and lightness from me. We don’t argue, we say: it’s a waste of time to argue, to be silent, to have quiet days. Bogdan knows my preferences, he is so caring about everything, even the smallest things. We enjoy each other, it’s so cool that in the evening when we go to bed we can hug and snuggle up.
What lessons learnt during transition times would you like to share?
AR: I think the economic failure of the `90s has strengthened us as a marriage and a family.
BR: The most important thing is to be consequent, you can’t get to 90% and say: I don’t want to go on. I have always taught my sons that you have to get to the end of your goals.
What are your plans?
BR: I believe as a company we should not overextend ourselves. In this industry, it is very easy to lose control when you have too many truck sets. We know entrepreneurs who have overinvested and now deal with many issues. We, along with our children, should have enough vehicles to be able to control them ourselves.
AR: Privately, we want to continue travelling. We’ve already been to many places, but we like Spain and Italy the most.
How do you relax?
AR: We fulfil our passions. I like painting and photography – I collect them. We both listen to music and often go to concerts. I have a taste for jazz and contemporary pop music, for example I like Blue Cafe, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion or Lady Gaga.
I consider Ryszard Riedel’s song „W życiu piękne są tylko chwile” to be my life motto.
BR: In the car, I listen to my own music, such as Julio Iglesias. We’ve been to his concert twice. I was also very impressed by Cesaria Evora’s performance.
Dorota Kolano
Beata Sekuła
