In Gračanica, a city known for its strong industrial tradition and entrepreneurial spirit, a different kind of business story is emerging—the story of a young entrepreneur who turned her passion for fashion into a sustainable and growing business. Amina Vehabović, the founder of the fashion brand AMS Design, represents a new generation of women entrepreneurs who combine creativity, sustainability, and digital business opportunities.
From an early age, Amina dreamed of the world of fashion. Her love for design developed very early, and during her education, she began creating her first clothing pieces. After completing her studies in textile and design, she decided to take the next step and launch her own brand. This is how AMS Design was born—a studio where unique dresses and garments are created, tailored to each individual client.
What sets Amina’s brand apart is the combination of aesthetics and sustainability. In her collections, she often uses leftover materials and recycled textiles, striving to maximize resource efficiency and reduce waste in the production process. This approach demonstrates how even small fashion businesses can contribute to the principles of the circular economy and more sustainable use of materials.
Starting her own business was not easy. Like many young women entrepreneurs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Amina faced challenges such as financing, sourcing quality materials, and developing a market. Support from entrepreneurship development programs, including the IMPAKT Business Idea Incubator, helped her transform her idea into a sustainable business model and take her first steps on the market. The support continued through her participation in the event “Welcome to the Future 2.0,” which brings together young entrepreneurs, startups, and creatives to present their ideas and exchange experiences about new business opportunities.
The event was implemented through the Private Sector Development Initiative, co-financed by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. The initiative is also part of the broader GIZ program “Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion,” which aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and create new opportunities for the development of innovative businesses, particularly those led by women and young people.
Today, her brand is gradually gaining recognition across the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with plans to expand collections and create new jobs. Amina Vehabović demonstrates that entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business, but also about creating new opportunities. By combining design, sustainable materials, and modern approaches to promotion and sales, she is building a brand that reflects the values of the new economy: creativity, sustainability, and digital connectivity. Stories like this show how women entrepreneurs can be a key driver of economic development, as well as an inspiration for a new generation of young people who want to turn their ideas into businesses.
This success story was developed within the Sustainable Economic Development and Employment Promotion Programme (SEDEP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, jointly financed by the European Union, the Government of Switzerland and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.
