Michal Meško from Martinus: The success of the book giant that is not measured by numbers
How can you build a successful business without chasing growth, and why is the vision of a country of readers stronger than any KPI? In the latest episode of the Biznislab podcast, Daniela Marušková, CMO of ui42, talked with Michal Meško, CEO of Martinus.
Martinus, a bookstore with nearly 30 years of history, has received numerous prestigious awards - from Entrepreneur of the Year to the Mastercard award and the title of the most trusted brand from KPMG. In the podcast, Michal Meško reveals a surprising and unconventional approach to building a company, which in today's business world seems a bit out of this world.
When Utopia is Stronger than a Business Plan
While other companies set aggressive percentage goals, the biggest goal and vision of Martinus is “dreaming of a land of readers”. This utopian idea functions in Martinus as a compass that guides and directs all their decisions. Michal Meško explains that this vision reminds them of the essence of their work: “connecting people with books".
For Martinus, reading is more than just consuming content. It is a tool for transforming society. They believe that “a country that reads has a chance to be a better country" - more empathetic, more informed, and more educated. In a time when we live in an era of quick dopamine hits, Michal sees books as “an amazing antidote to today's times".
A Radically Different View on Growth
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Martinus's philosophy is their approach to growth. Michal categorically states that they do not set aggressive percentage growth targets for turnover or profit. Instead, he sees growth as “a nice by-product of trying to do something the best and bringing value".
The Best, Not the Biggest
The fundamental principle of Martinus is a clear credo: “we want to be the best, not the biggest". If in the effort to be the best they also become the biggest, it is just a side effect. This philosophy is also reflected in their approach to expansion, where they prefer to grow in smaller steps rather than grow aggressively.
Freedom Without Investors
Michal Meško admits that this approach has its compromises. Potentially slower growth or the absence of "growth steroids" in the form of external resources, investors are the price for maintaining the company's values and culture. Michal sees this freedom as “a great privilege and gift".
Honesty About Imperfections
Despite the idealistic vision and values, Michal Meško is honest about reality. He openly admits that Martinus “is not a fairytale" and working there is not always "rosy". “There are x situations where it just doesn't work even with us as it should".
He was inspired by a book on “radical openness", which helped him learn to be “kind and at the same time direct with people". He tries to create an environment where people are not afraid to speak up and feel heard, although he admits that communication barriers still exist given the size of the company with approximately 800 people.
Conclusion: A Different View on Success
The story of Martinus is proof that there is an alternative to the traditional business approach based on aggressive growth and profit maximization. Their philosophy built on values, long-term perspective, and a sense of mission shows that success can be measured in ways other than just numbers on an account.
It is important to “listen to oneself" and consciously choose what will bring us the greatest inner fulfillment, with an awareness of compromises. Martinus's approach is an expression of deep reflection on values and long-term sustainability, which resonates with their vision of building a "land of readers".
