Her service offer is rather unusual. It primarily includes preparation of suggestions regarding cultural events as well as all attendant arrangements, such as bookings, buying tickets and organisation of transport. She works based on one-off commissions or she may also engage in continuous cooperation consisting in building a cultural calendar for the client. In addition, Bogumiła Stankiewicz also provides reading list advice, services of creating home book collections (also for children and youngsters), selecting culture-oriented gifts, shopping together with the client, as well as organization of special and corporate events with cultural themes.     

“The events and books I select are obviously matched to the requirements and tastes of the client which I learn about during the meeting and talks,” she explains. “I have created a set of tools that help me capture the interests and preferences of the client and by implication, allow me to choose events that will be appropriate for the specific individual.  For instance, we agree that once every two weeks my client has a free afternoon to be devoted to culture-related pursuits.  Knowing my client’s taste, favourite pastimes, interests and preferences, I am able to pick out the play, concert or movie – in Szczecin or elsewhere – that will suit my client best. I do all the required bookings, I buy and deliver the tickets – all my client has to do is to put in an appearance in the designated location, at a set time.”      

The same goes for buying books for the client, the client’s children or as gifts. Bogumiła Stankiewicz buys them herself following the client’s instructions and then delivers them to the indicated location. Alternatively, (having first done her research) she arranges to meet the client and they go shopping together.  “Bookstores are thronged with people in a pre-festive season, which proves that books, CDs or DVDs are still among the most popular presents to buy. Unfortunately, bookstore staff is not always very helpful and gift hunters are often reduced to relying on sales rankings or back-cover synopses. More often than not, purchases made that way prove ill-suited and just go on the shelf,” – she reflects.  

In order to be able to give advice on the matters of culture Bogumiła Stankiewicz must be an expert in the field. “I started reading when I was four years old and I have been reading almost relentlessly ever since - I guess my average is one book a day. I must say my personal book collection does not fit in my apartment,” she boasts.  “I believe that I have a lot to say on the subject.  Obviously, there are certain spheres that I am not an expert in – in such cases I make use of reliable sources.    Polish national bibliography is helpful, because it allows me to read on practically on all items available on the market.    I also have online resources at my disposal, such as thematic internet forums, blogs or specialized portals. As far as theatrical plays, movies, exhibitions and concerts go, I do my best to keep abreast of what is new. I travel a lot all over Poland; I visit theatres, museums and so on. I personally take part in many events.  This is the matter of being credible – I cannot afford to send my client to a show only based on reading a review of it in a magazine.   However, if it happens that I cannot check something for myself, I rely on the opinions and reviews of specialists in specific fields,” she adds.

This enterprising young woman is a graduate in Polish and cultural studies. After finishing her studies she was employed - among others - as a teacher of Polish.  She also worked for the local mass media. At some point however she had to give up her permanent job. "When I was staying at home I began pondering about my professional future. I had several ideas how to start my own business, but due to high up-front costs those dreams seemed totally unattainable. Finally, I had a look around at all the books on my shelves and I realized that this was what I loved most and what I wanted to share with others.  In this way the idea to provide cultural advice occurred to me,” she confesses.  

Putting such a plan into action turned out much easier than it usually is with starting a new business. “I do not have any goods to offer, I do not need to run an office - the logistics involved surely do not exceed the capabilities of an arts’ major,” she says. As in every kind of business, soliciting clients is of primary importance.  “When I told my friends about my idea, they said it was great, but then they asked: ‘who would pay for such services?’ I am not a dewy-eyed idealist and I realize that my offer is not for every man in the street. My clients should be interested in culture and please rest assured that – despite popular opinions – there are such persons out there and their number is continuously growing.  Money is another issue. Services of this kind are addressed to people with certain resources at their disposal, because a ticket to the theatre in Warsaw alone costs around PLN 100. As a rule, such individuals are overworked and they do not have a lot of free time, but when they do have it, they want to make the most of it.  My services help them save their precious time and come with a guarantee that they will enjoy themselves,” she says.

Bogumiła Stankiewicz admits that the market for her services would be better in Warsaw. Nevertheless, she believes that Szczecin is growing and as its inhabitants go richer, their interest in culture and arts will increase too.  She also understands that the services such as hers need promoting.   For that reason she has decided to advertise her offer in the media. Kultura na miarę has its website, it is active in social networks and thematic portals. However, Bogumiła Stankiewicz believes that direct contacts with the clients are of primary importance and therefore, she has decided to personally present her offer to the managements of big companies. “I was very nervous at first, because I feared I would not be able to sell anything. Yet I soon realized that my main asset is that I talk about the matters I myself find important, I am trying to convince others to take to the things I love.  After my first interviews I believe that the response is very positive” – she rounds up.   

ŁP