János Sztruhár: 35 Years of Building Success Through Long-Term Vision

“What Drives Me Isn’t Someone Else’s Dream – It’s My Own Direction.”

Today, János Sztruhár stands among East-Europe’s most respected network marketing professionals. Back in the early 1990s, when entrepreneurship was still taking shape in Slovakia, he already saw promise in an industry no one really understood that time. At just the age of twenty-four, he followed his instinct and his vision into a brand-new world of business. More than thirty-five years later, as a Zinzino President, he now mentors others with the same mindset that once guided his first step: “What if it’s true – for me too?”

Courage, Not Recklessness

Until the 1990s, Slovakia offered only one career path: decades of loyal employment followed by retirement. The political transformation changed everything—suddenly, people could start their own businesses. And with that freedom came the first wave of risky pyramid schemes. Many saw excitement in them, but few truly understood what they were. János Sztruhár thought differently. When legitimate, well-established direct selling companies began entering the market, he decided to give it a try—for one simple reason that kept echoing in his mind: “What if it’s true—for me too?”

“At my very first presentation, I stuttered so much I couldn’t even introduce my sponsor. Fifteen people were there, and I couldn’t string together two proper sentences,”

he laughs, recalling the moment. He didn’t give up. Today he speaks to thousands, often in several languages, but the stage has never been the goal for him—only the tool. He knows what it means to lead by example, and he’s willing to do it even when it pushes him far outside his comfort zone.

When asked why he took such a leap so young and with so little experience, his answer is calm and clear. 

“Money itself was never the point—it was what it represented: a way out of the ordinary. I didn’t want the life I saw around me. I was working in the hospitality industry when free trade began, and many around me took out loans to open cafés and restaurants. They were hungry for success too, but they took on huge risks. Network marketing, on the other hand, was a business you could start with minimal cost. You were paid fairly for your performance. Back then, that felt like a responsible decision.”

In 1995, he experienced the true power of the industry for the first time. He organized his very first event completely on his own—without mobile phones, email, or social media. Just a landline, fax, handwritten letters, and personal invitations.

“I invited more than a hundred people without ever having done anything like that before,”

he says.

“But I knew this was what it would take to grow. I was ready to learn, to evolve, and to do whatever it took to earn more and to serve people better.”

From Good to Better – When “Enough” Isn’t Enough

From the very beginning, network marketing wasn’t about getting rich quick for János—it was about a smarter way of thinking. He instantly understood the logic behind the model: the law of numbers, the power of duplication, and how shared energy can multiply success. 

“I grasped the philosophy of network marketing in no time. I never imagined that all those math competitions in school would make sense here,”

he says with a smile.

“I quickly saw that if there’s a business where you don’t need to put in all the energy alone—because it’s shared among a team—then that’s something worth taking seriously.”

That realization marked the beginning of real progress. For two years, he built his business alongside a full-time job, dedicating every free hour to growth.

“Two years later, I had the knowledge, the commitment, and the income to leave the profession I loved. And that’s a decision most people never dare to make.”

Letting go of something that works—and something you love—is never easy. But for János, it was the only way forward.

“People don’t like change. But the first step toward a better life is the courage to leave even what’s good—if you want something great.”

That mindset became a cornerstone of his career. He doesn’t choose what’s comfortable or familiar—he chooses what helps him and others grow. For him, success isn’t about holding on to what works; it’s about recognizing when it’s time to build something even better.

The Goal Worth Crossing Walls For

“I always ask myself: Will what I’m doing right now make a real difference in my life?”

says János. He believes most people live for the short term: they want comfort today, comfort tomorrow—and if next month still feels comfortable, that’s good enough. But true success, he says, belongs to those who can think three, five, or even ten years ahead. Persistence is the other cornerstone of his career. When János sets a goal that truly matters to him, he is willing to keep working for it until it becomes reality.

As a mentor, he shares the same mindset. He doesn’t hand people goals—he helps them find their own, through questions that bring clarity. 

“I ask a lot of questions,”

he says.

“First, we have to find out whether someone has a vision—can they see three, five, or even ten years ahead? If not, I help them realize it’s worth doing, because only they can create their ideal future.”

That kind of growth requires self-awareness. 

“People have many failed goals. But if a goal truly belongs to you, there’s no reason you can’t achieve it. A mentor doesn’t do the work instead of you—they stand beside you when the tough choices come. They can see the bigger picture, even when you can’t, because they’ve been there before.”

In a world that promises quick success, János believes that’s just an illusion.

“I’ve had conversations with people who weren’t grounded in reality. They wanted everything—right now—without having anything yet. I simply ask: Then why didn’t you do it a month ago? Those who want to win fast without giving up anything even break the rules of gambling.”

For him, responsibility always lies with the individual.

“I’m the one who puts pressure on myself to bring out the best in me—whether it’s achieving a new rank, learning a language, organizing an event, or writing my book Build a Successful Life with Zinzino in two months.”

The goals worth pursuing, he says, are not the ones others expect from you—but the ones that are truly yours. The ones you’d cross walls for.

“This profession works for anyone who’s teachable, open to mentorship, and truly wants a better life. Working in a team, being part of a supportive community where trust and growth go hand in hand—that’s one of the most attractive business offers you can find today. And Zinzino is the best place for it.”

Where Value Meets Heart

János said yes to Zinzino for the second time. His life seemed to be on track—steady, comfortable, successful—yet something was missing. He had a stable income, but the business no longer inspired him.

“Ninety percent of people wouldn’t have walked away,”

he says,

“and some thought I was reckless. But I felt the time was right for change.”

Beyond the numbers, it was always the people who mattered to him most. His sponsor, Zoltán Berta, and his mentor, Global President Ria Kamrás, knew that to find the right answer, they had to fly all the way to Oslo.

“I already knew the Zinzino compensation plan was good, but I wanted to see if the people behind it were good people too.”

He didn’t have to wait long for confirmation. Within days, he was sitting at the table with Founder Ørjan Saele and CEO Dag Bergheim Pettersen — and he knew immediately he was in the right place.

Seven years have passed since then, and one thing János knows for sure: he’s received far more than he ever expected. And that experience shaped his philosophy — to always give more than what people expect. That attitude guides him in everything he does, especially when he celebrates the achievements of his team. His events have become legendary within Zinzino. 

“From the moment people arrive, I want them to feel that it’s a celebration,”

he says. 

“A few years ago, we came up with an idea — our top leaders would drive onto the stage in a stunning Mustang convertible. A six-cylinder cabrio, a white-gloved chauffeur, lights, dancers — the full show. What no one knew was that I was the chauffeur under the costume. They only realized it when I opened the door for the leader being honored. And the crowd just erupted.”

For János, a recognition event is not only about ranks and rewards — it’s about emotion, connection, and shared pride. It’s about what it feels like to achieve something together. Because at Zinzino, business success and human connection go hand in hand. It’s a place — as János says — where value meets heart.

An Example That Inspires Generations

János Sztruhár’s story proves how far you can go when you stop following others’ expectations and start building your own direction. He has never chased trends or easy shortcuts—his path has always been guided by clarity, purpose, and long-term thinking.

He started just at the age of twenty-four, in a time when network marketing was still unknown in Slovakia. That experience shaped the way he now leads and mentors others.

“I know what it feels like to be young, to believe in something before everyone else does. That’s why it means so much to me to help others take their first steps with confidence.”

For today’s new generation, János is more than a mentor—he’s proof that success built on vision, discipline and integrity lasts. Over the years, as he’s built his own career, he’s helped countless others discover their direction and purpose.

Because when someone sees their path clearly, their presence becomes a compass for others too—and together, they can reach further than they ever imagined possible.