We Left Skopje and Novi Sad for Village Life: Today We Produce Award-Winning Honey

The team at Kajak.mk is constantly searching for stories about people who quietly create things of real value for Macedonia. We call these people “Local Heroes.”

This time, our journey took us far from asphalt roads and city noise—to the mountain village of Grljani in eastern Macedonia. It is here that a young couple made a decision that more and more young people are choosing today: to step out of the rigid system of urban life and embrace a more authentic way of living.

Kajak.mk brings you the story of Nikolche and Anja. Nikolche is a graduate electrical engineer with experience in digital marketing and life in Skopje, while Anja is a graduate graphic designer from Novi Sad, accustomed to a fast-paced urban lifestyle and living in the city center.

Nikolche says that after their wedding, they made a decision that many would consider risky—to leave the cities behind and start a new life and business in a village.

“When we returned to live in the village, we realized we had two options: either look for jobs elsewhere or create something of our own. We wanted a life with more meaning and greater control over our time,” he tells us.

Grljani is a typical mountain village, located about 800 meters above sea level, with a small population and almost no industry. What many might see as isolation became their greatest advantage. Pristine nature, untouched pastures, and an abundance of wild herbs form the foundation of their story—the story behind their honey products branded as “Babin.”

Beekeeping is not a new chapter for Nikolche. It is a family tradition, a craft he learned from his mother, while from his father he inherited an entrepreneurial mindset. For Anja, however, the change was profound—from life in Novi Sad to everyday life in a mountain village in Macedonia.

“It wasn’t easy—a new language, a new environment, and a completely different way of life. But the feeling of building something of your own, from start to finish, is worth more than the comfort a city can offer,” Anja says.

Today, “Babin” offers mountain honey and wildflower honey, along with a range of bee products—pollen, propolis, bee bread (perga), royal jelly, and their special immune-boosting blend, “Babin Shield.” Their offer also includes teas made from their own plantations and carefully handpicked wild medicinal herbs gathered from ecologically clean areas.

The quality of their honey has not gone unnoticed. Their products are organically certified, and at a competition in Novi Sad they won two first prizes—one for quality and one for taste.

“The awards mean a lot to us, but what matters even more is when people come back and buy again. That’s the best confirmation that we’re on the right path,” Nikolche adds.

From harvesting and caring for the bees, to packaging, design, and communication—everything is done by them, with family support when needed. No large team, no investors—just a clear vision.

The story of Nikolche and Anja is not a romanticized tale of “escaping the city.” It is a real example that sustainable businesses can be built even in small, rural communities—when there is knowledge, patience, and a genuine commitment to honest and dedicated work.

For us at Kajak.mk, stories like this are a reminder that local heroes are not always loud or visible. Sometimes, they are people quietly working in a mountain village, creating products that represent Macedonia in the best possible way—through quality, authenticity, and respect for nature.

We warmly welcome Nikolche and Anja into the community of local heroes supported by Kajak.mk. Stories like theirs inspire tourism—something we hope will one day truly flourish.

No matter where you live in the world, if you want to do something positive for Macedonia, share the story in the language of the country you live in. This is how we show that Macedonia is also a place of inspiring, beautiful, and positive stories.
All translations are available with one click HERE.