Interview with Zsolt Szemerszky, Co-owner of Niche Media, Monaco

Zsolt Szemerszky is the Chief Editor of Living in Monaco, a Revenue Specialist, and Author. He aims to help individuals and corporations achieve their highest ambitions. As the author of multiple books published in over 50 countries worldwide, Zsolt has created business value for people and motivated them to achieve their goals.

 

As a successful business founder, author and business leader, can you share what drives you deep down?

 

I like to work with people and create products that not only help the local community, but offer a long lasting impact as well. It has always been my goal to leave a positive footprint behind.

And on your journey to date, what would you say has been the most significant moment or milestone that has shaped the person you are today?

 

The most transitional moment in my life was when my goddaughter was born. She taught me about the great values of life, including unconditional love. Since then, I know that the biggest asset in life is family.

There is also a very dear topic for me, originating from my goddaughter.

She was 10 years old and one of her best friends was a Russian girl named Evgenia. One day (in 2022) when I visited my goddaughter, she was very sad and told me that many people say that Russians are bad people. She was concerned that she would not be able to talk to Evgenia anymore. I saw the deep sadness in her eyes and tried to explain to her that there are many good people all around us, and even in such devastating situations not everyone shares the same views.

Through a friend of mine, I knew a NASA Astronaut who talks about the orbital perspective, which means that from space we don’t see borders, we only see one planet, called Earth, just one common origin of human beings. Living on a space station, astronauts and cosmonauts of multiple nations are working hand in hand for a common goal.

I wanted Faye to meet him so she could find comfort and inspiration through his messages of unity, as the astronaut explained how different nations can work together in harmony in space for a mutual goal, leaving politics and borders behind.

As Faye always tells me that sharing is caring, I invested into the ELEVATE Monte-Carlo conference where year after year we inspire local students. Last year we had 850 students which was a truly impactful moment for me.

 

Monaco, where you are based, is renowned as the playground of the super wealthy. Against this backdrop, how do you stay grounded and open to new opportunities?

 

Most people associate Monaco with luxury and wealth. Personally, I see the Principality as a hub for successful and established entrepreneurs. There is a very unique community here where one can learn and develop. There is no other place on Earth where you can personally meet and share thoughts with so many successful people. And the common thing with successful people is that they like to share and learn from each other as they have this eagerness for greatness.

 

Founding a business often involves taking risks. What role do you believe risk-taking plays in achieving success?

 

No risks, no rewards. Business is like cooking, even if you know all the ingredients, you need to experience the right balance. The same applies in business as each market needs a slightly different approach. This is especially true to the local specialities of Monaco.

 

What is your personal success philosophy, and how do you use this to inspire and motivate those around you?

 

Changes always come when you are able to step outside of your comfort zone. When you have to jump over a cliff and there is a bridge as a safety net, you can always walk or turn back, taking the easier choices. However, when you want to achieve a great goal, set the bridge on fire first, so you can be sure that there is only one way ahead, to make that jump.

 

Overcoming challenges and displaying resilience is increasingly important. Can you share any setbacks you’ve encountered, and how you’ve used that experience to learn and grow?

 

There were way too many, but as the well known author Paulo Coelho said:

“In the cycle of nature, there is no such thing as victory or defeat, there is only movement. Defeat is for warriors... failure is when you don’t have any more interest in fighting. Defeat ends when we launch into another battle. Meanwhile failure has no end, because it is a lifetime choice.”

 

Uncovering, supporting and backing ideas can often make the difference. What do you believe is important when seeking to foster a culture of innovation and creativity?

 

You have to trust in the person behind the business. Any plan can have a flow, mistakes can occur, but when the intention is right then you have a great chance to overcome the obstacles and succeed. Nevertheless, supporting business does not equal lending money. Supporting business needs all parties to be involved, as most entrepreneurs value mentorship and network more than just capital raise.

 

Successful people often face challenges in balancing work, commitments and personal life. How do you manage this balance, and what strategies do you use to prevent burnout?

 

Business provides stability, but there is nothing compared to the value of family. I saw it many times that people regret not spending enough time with their children. Time is something that we cannot buy and get back, and children can give us unconditional love when they receive attention. I strongly believe that we need to allow ourselves to enjoy the precious moments of life in order to prevent burnout.