VADnet Hero: Pavlina Kopecka from Smart-con, Czech Republic
Members are the driving force behind the biggest PAN European cooperation of Value Added Distributors in the IoT industry. That’s why we call them ‘VADnet Heroes’.
This month, we’re zooming in on another fantastic VADnet hero, a woman who climbed the corporate ladder and has a refreshingly honest take on both business and life. Meet Pavlina Kopecká, CEO and co-owner of Smart-Con s.r.o. from Czech Republic!
From Employee to Co-Owner and CEO: Pavlina’s Smart-Con Journey
Pavlina was there at the very beginning of Smart-Con’s journey, initially joining as an employee, but from day one, there was a mutual agreement that she’d earn an ownership stake over a few years. And that’s what happened and made her co-owner of Smart-con.
Smart-Con was founded in 2016, following the acquisition of Czech industrial router manufacturer Conel s.r.o. by the global group Advantech. It turned out, Smart-Con is a bit of a Conel reunion! Most of the current team originally worked at Conel (now Advantech Czech s.r.o.), and they’ve maintained strong ties to the brand – not just as distributors, but through long-standing personal and professional connections. Pavlina even met her husband while working at Conel (he was the R&D Director – talk about office romance!), and her business partner, František, was once Conel’s CEO. It seems connectivity isn’t just about routers for this crew; it’s about people!
Pavlina’s own career path at Conel started during university as a sales assistant, eventually leading her to international sales and taking over the commercial side of Smart-Con. Plus, with a “passion for processes,” she helped structure the company’s operations. Through all the changes, they’ve remained a “small, close-knit company with strong external partnerships.”
Smart-Con: More Than Just Wireless Technology
Since its inception, Smart-Con has focused on distributing industrial routers and communication devices. While they were once “strictly dedicated” to the Advantech brand, the post-COVID era spurred them to “slightly expand our portfolio and explore other options.” Smart move!
But, with their dedicated and high-educated team, they’re not just moving boxes. Smart-Con develops its own router apps and software, handles installation and service, and even offers complementary services like connectivity. Their long-term goal is to “stay relevant,” build “strong, loyal relationships” with customers, and “honor the trust” formed through business cooperation. With years of product knowledge, they confidently position themselves as “experts in the field” – and aim to keep building on that.
VADnet: A Network of Support
Smart-Con joined the VADnet group in 2022, right after another Czech company’s membership ended. Pavlina had been eyeing VADnet for a while, seeing “great value” in sharing experience, knowledge, and business strategies. She clearly believes in “mutual support and in the power of building a strong presence in the market together.”
For Pavlina, the main benefits include the “close and supportive contacts within the group.” She appreciates being “surrounded by people with vast experience in running companies and in business in general,” finding it “inspiring and valuable” to learn from them. In today’s “tough and unforgiving” business world, a little VADnet love goes a long way!
Her best VADnet meeting so far? Alicante! She loved it for both the business insights and the chance to explore the city and the sun. And in a perfectly timed moment of humor and honesty, she adds that “at that point – after becoming a mom, my first child was already fairly independent, and the second one was still ‘under construction,’ so the timing for travelling was just right =).” Plus, it was one of her first big trips post-COVID, and as a “social person,” she was “thrilled to be out again, meeting people face to face, and soaking up both knowledge and sunshine.” Who can’t relate to that post-pandemic joy?!
Pavlina Unplugged: Beyond the Routers
Away from the world of networks, Pavlina is happily married with two “beautiful (and still quite little) kids,” aged seven and two.
Her favorite meals are traditional Czech cuisine, especially “dumplings with sauce,” and she’ll “never say no to a good chocolate dessert.” For drinks, it’s a “proper latte with lots of milk” (no tiny espressos here!) or, if it’s alcoholic, a Frisco or a sweet Czech white wine.
Musically, she’s a fan of the Czech band Chinaski and the globally famous Imagine Dragons. But like many of us, she’s open to all genres, from rock to “very slow, romantic ballads.”
Reading time is precious with kids and work, but when she does squeeze it in, she dives into Nordic crime novels, particularly by Lars Kepler.
And sports? Pavlina laughs, “I’m constantly on the move – always running around doing something.” As soon as one task is done, she finds another to “drag everyone else into it too =).” But genuinely, she loves skiing and hiking in the mountains, declaring herself a “fan of cold weather, not summer.”
Her favorite country to revisit is the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam, for its “vibrant colors and charming houses and the positive mood of the people.” And since childhood, she’s dreamed of visiting Australia and New Zealand, influenced by her dad who’s been dreaming of New Zealand since she was born.
Leisure time? She humorously states, “I really do not know what’s that is… 
” But when she does have a moment, she enjoys concerts or a nice dinner out.
Her main motto in life is the classic Steve Jobs quote: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” And it is easy to add, that Pavlina is living her motto every day!
And what can wake her up? She admits that she is a bit of a material girl with a “real weakness for handbags!” Just tell her you’re going shopping for a new one, and she’s up, even in the middle of the night!
If she were European President for 24 hours, Pavlina would “push for some kind of limit on social media at least at children.” She laments that kids “barely know what it means to play outside or do a somersault” and that even adults are glued to their phones instead of talking. “It’s harder to form real relationships because so many hide behind online conversations. I think that’s a real shame,” she concludes. A very insightful observation!
Thank you, Pavlina, for your candidness, your dedication, and for proving that even in the world of industrial routers and smart IoT, there’s room for personal warmth and a female touch! We’re thrilled to have you on board as a VADnet member and wish to challenge you to bring in more female intuition.
