This interview I took from Devid, he is from Saint-Petersburg. I asked him about his business, struggles during Covid-19, his life and dreams. Let’s find out!
Hi Devid! How are you doing? Tell me something about yourself
Hi Sasha! I’m doing quite well! Thanks! Ok, so, I’m 24 years old, I was born in Israel, then when I was one, me and my parents moved back to Saint-Petersburg. When I was twelve, I discussed with my parents that it would be good for me to study abroad and we decided that I will continue my studying in England. There I lived for ten years and returned back to Saint-Petersburg to start my own business.
What an interesting life story! Ok, tell me what type of business do you have?
I have two restaurants in Saint-Petersburg. One is located on main high street, called Nevsky avenue, the second one is located in a highly dense sleeping quarter.
Wow! A lot of responsibility for such a young age! Tell me more about the restaurants: what is the concept about, when the idea come true?
Oh yea! Restaurant business is very tough ahah. You are never too young to start your own business. I have people working with me who are even younger and doing very clever stuff and showing great results. I don’t think that age matters that much, but of course there are things which you can learn only with experience. About restaurants, we aim to catch clients for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I can say we are an everyday restaurant. I’ve always enjoyed delicious food, so I thought if I start a restaurant myself, I will be able to eat tasty every day for working purposes ahah. I’m kidding. Talking seriously, I’ve found an interesting dish from Uzbekistan, and after analyzing the market in St.Petersburg, realized that there are too few restaurants serving it. The dish is called Cheburek, it is very tasty! I hold it on the photo that you took of me. So, I started finding an investor, who would be interested to give money to launch a restaurant. And in 4 months we opened our doors, it was a big day for me, with very few guests, mainly friends and family ahah. But later on, we began to become more and more well-known and could open the second project the year after. All together it is nearly three years since we first opened our doors.
Ahah, its cool when your hobby becomes your job. Yes, I know chebureks are very tasty, love them. You have gone through an interesting process; I’m sure many people would love an advice! Tell me three key things you need to think about when launching a restaurant?
Hmm, let’s try to give you the main three. I would say that at first, it is important to understand what product you want to give to your potential clients, and who are your potential clients. When you know that, the most important part is to find the perfect location for your concept. If you fail with location, you will fail the project, that’s the rule, it is too expansive to switch location after you’ve done all the building works. And the third – is finding the right team, as people make food, service and earn you money, btw it is important in any business you do.
Thanks, will note that! Let’s talk a bit about sad things. Now there are difficult times for small businesses, especially for restaurants. How you and your team coping with the situation?
Yes, indeed, restaurant business and other service sector businesses are struggling a lot. A lot of our friends had to shut their doors for ever because they could not pay their workers and were not able to come to a deal with their landlords. We decided that we will fight to the end and try to make a deal with everyone: our landlords, suppliers, workers. We all acted like one big family, and that allowed us to fight through the struggles and open back, when the government allowed us to do so. I am very thankful to my team; without them it would not be possible. We are just hoping that we won’t have to close again because of restrictions.
Well done! I wish you all the best and lots of luck in these difficult times! I have one last question to you, what are you dreaming about?
Thank you! It’s not an easy question, I must say, let me think. Hmm, I will tell you one of my dreams, it is to build an international business, it could be a large restaurant chain.
Hope one day you will be able to materialize your dream! Thank you for your time, it was very interesting talking to you.
