"Winning the competition was a big recognition for all the effort and time I put into my work," says the pleasant Šumi, with whom we spoke as part of MMC's Successful Slovenia project.

You were ushered into the world of stand-up comedy by the renowned and popular comedian and TV host Vid Valič. How did you get his attention?
I got to meet Vid through his younger brother Domen (note: Domen also has experience in TV and was also an actor at the MGL theater group), who went to high school with my brother. When Domen told me that Vid was a stand-up comic, I went to see him a couple of times. I then decided to try myself out being funny on stage. Vid helped me and gave me the chance to prove myself. To my luck I was successful and that's when I met my current manager Andrej Težak - Tešky, who offered a lot of shows and introduced me to other comedians.

Your first performance at the KUD Culture and arts association was around four years ago. What about before that? Did you ever perform as a child?
That's right. My first show was at the Culture and Arts Association KUD France Prešeren in Trnovo, where I got my first five minutes to show what I can do. If I'm allowed to brag a little let me say that in those five minutes on stage I got five rounds of applause. More than excellent, considering that it was my first performance. Before that I only had one other public stand-up experience, and that was hosting the high school prom night.
In autumn 2012 you became a professional comedian. What does your normal day look like? How much time do you put into preparations for a show?
Yes, that's true. I've been a professional stand-up comedian since signing the official contract with the “Ceh za smeh” agency, led by Tešky. I spend my days in the company of my family, friends, girlfriend and at boxing practice. Of course I also do different things to earn extra cash. Regarding my performances, I always prepare one day before the show. I write new material whenever I get inspired.
For those that haven't seen you yet – which topics do you most frequently cover when you're on stage?
During my performance I touch on many different themes. My material consists of a wide spectrum of jokes, so everybody hears something they like. I think the most frequent topic is my life, which is definitely funny.
Currently you're preparing for your third "one-man show" ...
I felt it was the right time to do the show in different parts of Slovenia this time. Of course I'm still preparing some of the material, but I can reveal the show's title: I have nothing, I have it all!
Can you immediately tell if you're faced in front of a cold audience, and that it’s going to be hard to break the ice? What do you do in those kinds of situations, how do you create a relaxed atmosphere?
I can tell what the audience is like after my first minute on stage when I tell two jokes which usually get a good response. If there's no real laughter, I know I'm dealing with a more demanding audience. I then try win them over with my charisma and jokes at my expense, which always work.
There are many examples of stand-up comedians who have successfully moved on to TV careers and movies… for example Jerry Seinfeld and Woody Allen. Your "mentor" Vid Valič also got his own TV show ... Do you have similar ambitions?
To be able to play in a movie or have my own TV show is my great wish and I really hope that I'll get the opportunity one day to fulfill it. To begin with I'd like to write a comedy play, and then we'll see how things unfold.
Do you have any interesting stories from on the stage or from the backstage to share with us?
After one of my performances I did get a funny offer: a young boy around 15 years old came up to me and invited me to perform in a club in return for one liter of vodka and juice. When I said no, his reaction was funny: "You're crazy, do you know how many girls you would later have around your table!"
They usually say that in real life comedians are very serious and reserved. Is that the case with you, or do you keep telling jokes even when nobody's around?
My opinion is that a real comedian always has to be funny, even in private life. People that are funny only on stage or in front of cameras aren't real comedians. They’re only good actors.