Now that Poland is part of the European Union, small businesses are worried they could be crowded out by large international chains. But globalisation also presents some opportunities as big companies look for local partners.
Anna Lagodzinska, an economist by training, returned to Poland in 1997 with her husband after living in Britain and Luxembourg for a number of years.
The 45-year-old Ms. Lagodzinska learned that French cosmetics company, Clarens, wanted to open one of its famed beauty institutes in Poland. Her knowledge of Western business practices and her native Polish roots helped land her a Clarens partnership.
There are only 14 such institutes worldwide, and the Polish facility becomes number 15 when it opens in mid-May. Ms. Lagodzinska had no problem finding beauticians to go through extensive training in Clarins beauty methods. With unemployment running around 18 to 20 per cent in Poland, there is a deep pool of talent looking for work.
