Albanian entrepreneur Tomi Kallanxhi has been working since his graduation from college in the city of Tirana to realize his dream of managing his own company.

Several years ago, Kallanxhi finally achieved that goal with Shpi.al, a real estate website presenting users with transparent information about the national housing market, the first of its kind to ever be created within the country.

“What helped me get started is my personal entrepreneur skills,” Kallanxhi told Balkan Business Wire.

Kallanxhi started the website in 2012, and since then has been operating the site in Albania.

“The most positive aspect of having a presence here in Albania, is that Albania is still a virgin market in ICT (Information and Communication Technology),” Kallanxhi said.

After the initial success of Shpi.al, Kallanxhi went on to found Big Media Expert, a startup funder.

“The biggest reason for the success of Big Media Expert is innovation,” Kallanxhi said. “We are always up to date with the latest methods of development in digital communications.”

Kallanxhi said passion, ethics and innovation are values he wants to bring to his field.

As for the future, Kallanxhi wants to continue to nurture startup companies and grow Big Media Expert from his vantage point in the Balkan region, where certain kinds of economic initiatives are expanding, such as an emerging technology industry.

“Before starting my own company I have worked in several companies,” Kallanxhi said in a 2015 interview with Startus Magazine, reflecting on his passion and what drove him to take big career steps. “The one thing that connected all them was that my vision and passion in regards to what a better world should be, different from theirs, and that’s the reason why I decided to pursue my own dream. I think I did the right thing, and I also encourage everyone to pursue their own dream.”