{"id":6333,"date":"2025-09-02T09:13:21","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T07:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/?p=6333"},"modified":"2025-09-02T09:13:22","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T07:13:22","slug":"a-rebel-successfully-achieving-her-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/a-rebel-successfully-achieving-her-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"A rebel successfully achieving her goals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An interview with Sylwia Pi\u0105tkowska \u2013 the owner of Golden Grant Law and EU Affairs Office in Pozna\u0144, on\u00a0obtaining EU funds and her book, in which she shares experience in\u00a0effective company management and business ethics. She\u00a0has just been nominated for the title of\u00a0Leader\u00a0by\u00a0Vocation.<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When have your leadership qualities become visible?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve always been consistent in my actions and made quick, usually accurate decisions. At school, I stood out for my activity, participated in SKS classes and lead many disciplines: from volleyball to running. I practiced dancing: 5 years of ballroom and subsequent 3 years of classical. We lived in difficult times, and dancing was an escape from the reality of living in a block of flats, especially since we practiced in the historic interiors of the Zamek Culture Center in Pozna\u0144. I also trained declamations and even won several competitions. As a child, I used to sing in church. Later I wanted to work as a teacher because I liked children. Deeply fond of history, I thoroughly prepared for my lessons. During high school years, I attended biology and chemistry classes, as I associated chemistry with creativity. I\u2019m talkative, enjoy digging deep and analysis, so at some point my thoughts went towards law, particularly towards becoming a prosecutor, and the dreams\u2019s still in me. I\u2019mdisciplined, well-organised, and my brain is focused on thinking and finding solutions. When a problem arises, I intensely focus on solution and it\u2019s difficult to throw me off balance. My ideas about future profession had one thing in common: leadership and a desire to work with people. I think I have innate leadership qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did your career evolve?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I took my first job at one of the largest food wholesalers in the country, holding an administrative position. Next, I became the deputy sales director at a manufacturing enterprise. Subsequently, I moved to a corporation, where I worked for 10 years, holding managerial and director positions. My last full-time job as sales director was at Vento company. I wrote applications for large subsidies for clients, took care of the organisational matters, hired 11 sales representatives, and conducted motivational workshops for employees. At last, I started my adventure with EU projects and founded Kancelaria Prawno-Unijna (Law and EU Affairs Office).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do\u00a0you help y\u013eour clients?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m involved in government and EU fundraising at every stage of the process. I may upliftingly say I know exactly where and how to get them, by which I mean competence, well-interpreted competition documentation and legal regulations. In Poland, we have about 200 such places. I\u2019m experienced in applying in all possible fields: investments, research, digitisation, (higher) education or agriculture, to name a few. However, not everything depends on me; even 18-year long experience and knowledge are impossible to completely prevent failures. Oftentimes, it\u2019s all up to a client, whether they want or refuse cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
I am not a danger to\u00a0anyone \nonly as a\u00a0woman \nin her strength \u2013 necessary, says Sylwia Pia\u0328tkowska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve recently heard an entrepreneur say: there\u2019s a\u00a0company with the know-how, ready to advise me how and where to apply for subsidies, but in reality, I\u00a0handle everything myself. How could you respond to this?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each client receives a list of 20 questions on the type of business they run, the services they already provide, and the services to be provided after their investment is completed. That\u2019s an audit of the client\u2019s eligibility for funding and the basis for our actions. If the documentation necessary for the application doesn\u2019t require external expertise, we agree on a work schedule with the client and proceed. However, if the application requires documents from external institutions, both our and the client\u2019s involvement must be deeper. We then say: we\u2019re choosing this competition, but there are such and such guidelines, do you agree to this? If the client accepts the choice, we sign a contract with them, agree on the terms of cooperation, and assign a project supervisor who draws up a material and financial schedule. If the client decides to apply for a competition requiring a promissory note, an opinion on innovation, some research, energy and financial audits, their participation and involvement are mandatory. For example, we\u2019re currently working on a project concerning closed facility management and we need an energy audit. The appraiser, project supervisor, and I are going to meet with the client and we need to spend three hours together to take photos and prepare an expert opinion. I always emphasise that gathering external documents doesn\u2019t guarantee the final success, but it does guarantee a chance for it. We charge an initial fee for preparing the documents, and the second part of the payment, as a success bonus, is done when the decision to grant the subsidy is issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do\u00a0you win your clients?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

From all over Poland, through recommendations and partnerships I\u2019ve built up over all these years of professional activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the highest amounts you obtained?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

48 million for a refinery and 37.9 million for the conversion of a hotel into a student dormitory in Pozna\u0144.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are large companies your only customers?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No, the majority of our clients are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, for whom we obtain very high subsidies for equipment, competence development, and investments. We cooperate with non-governmental organisations and universities.
I have agreements signed with local government units \u2013 municipalities and city offices. We prepare extensive competition documentation for these entities. I hold numerous meetings for entrepreneurs interested in subsidies through cooperation with municipalities.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
I\u00a0want to break cycles, build my empire, write\u00a0my new rules \u2013 because i\u00a0have them, says Sylwia Pia\u0328tkowska<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

How big is your team of employees or associates?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The team consists of 26 people. There are legal experts responsible for writing applications and specialists in research and development projects as well as in opinions on innovation among them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are your greatest strengths?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Autonomy, ambition, independent thinking. I\u2019m a\u00a0dreamer with a\u00a0motto: I\u00a0set myself a\u00a0goal, I\u00a0dream of its achievement and slowly make it happen. Calmness, I\u00a0have a\u00a0lot of calmness within me. I\u00a0keep my feet on the ground and call a\u00a0spade a\u00a0spade, cause I\u00a0can\u2019t stand illusions, tampering, or reality distortion. I\u00a0do\u00a0what I\u2019m able to and know how to. I\u00a0can\u2019t pretend to be someone else as many are capable of on social media! I\u2019m a\u00a0woman with assets such as money, knowledge in her mind, kindness in her heart, confidence on her face and responsibility in her soul. I\u00a0do\u00a0like myself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you use coaching knowledge to achieve your goals?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve never been a coach, I haven\u2019t been educated in this field, but I\u2019ve been invited as an expert and panellist to mentor numerous training courses for years. My personality, character and genuine knowledge allow me to wisely do this and live with dignity by doing my work. The fact that I know I don\u2019t have to be behind the scenes is painful for some people. Sad but true. When they can\u2019t keep up with me, they want to attack my reputation, because it\u2019s the quickest solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are you most proud of?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My ambitions and the professional direction I have chosen. I\u2019m proud and grateful for doing what I truly enjoy. I\u2019m also proud that I have the privilege and comfort of not participating in the dramas of people who turn their lives into a three-ring circus. Well, I sit and watch. Sometimes I even feel sorry for people. And I truly thank my life for who I am today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Being rebel \ndoesn’t have to mean disrespect. \nI\u00a0refuse to shrink up, \nto back down, says Sylwia Pia\u0328tkowska<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are your plans?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m thinking about a doctorate in EU law. For the past three years, I\u2019ve been working on a book for women who want to start a business and run it more effectively. I won the Expert Laurel 2019\/2020 competition, and was titled Woman of Success in 2018 and 2019 in Pomerania, as well as the Personality of the Year in 2019, thus many people ask me for educational and legal services, all kinds of recommendations and opinions. This book was an impulse resulting from the needs of others, but also a plan for myself. I set myself the following goals: education, a good business, a good team, and a book. The latter should be published this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do\u00a0you particularly recommend in this book?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The section on business ethics, as this subject matter is rarely discussed. I address issues such as appearance, respect for your work, and respect for your competitors. I\u2019ve been still learning it myself, but I believe that I\u2019m now at a level where I can already advise. I\u2019ll be extremely happy if at least one woman starts a business thanks to this book and finds the courage to become independent through patience, building her own confidence and hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do\u00a0you think makes a\u00a0good leader?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Independence, creativity, authenticity and kindness to others. Work in silence, concentration within plans and golden thoughts. Good leaders achieve their goals step by step, without looking back. They do not partake intrigues or slander. They work well, wisely, sensibly \u2013 they strive towards their goals. Success is what you attract, not what you chase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do\u00a0you recharge your batteries?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a\u00a0happy mother, loving the time spent with my closest family and animals, such as cats and dogs I\u00a0enjoy walking, since I\u2019m focused on contact with nature. Oftentimes, I\u00a0happen to play tennis. But above all, I\u00a0like my own company, and there is no lie or evil in it. I\u00a0like my peace and quiet with a\u00a0cup of coffee. Minimalism is a\u00a0luxury, but an epicurean one, resulting from deriving joy from the beauty of each experienced moment, and from a\u00a0sense of harmony. The luxury of no rush, meaningful choices, and no need to compromise with mediocrity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dorota Kolano
Beata Seku\u0142<\/em><\/strong>a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An interview with Sylwia Pi\u0105tkowska \u2013 the owner of Golden Grant Law and EU Affairs Office in Pozna\u0144, on\u00a0obtaining EU funds and her book, in which she shares experience in\u00a0effective company management and business ethics. She\u00a0has just been nominated for the title of\u00a0Leader\u00a0by\u00a0Vocation. When have your leadership qualities become visible? I\u2019ve always been consistent in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6335,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[615],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6333"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6333"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6333\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6339,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6333\/revisions\/6339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6333"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6333"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whystory.pl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6333"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}