Nurbank clients are not afraid to experiment and be pioneers in various areas, making breakthroughs where it seemed impossible, creating real miracles and magic.
And now, to ride in a reindeer-drawn sleigh and immerse oneself in a fairy-tale atmosphere, there's no need to fly to Lapland. Just visit Nadezhda Gurskaya, the owner and founder of the reindeer farm.
Nurbank client, head of the private enterprise "Northern Tale" Nadezhda Anatolyevna Gurskaya, told us about herself, how she got the idea to bring reindeer to Kazakhstan, who helped her, and what is most valuable to her in this business.
– Nadezhda, tell us a little about yourself and your business.
– I was born and raised in Uralsk and was involved in breeding and training dogs. I always wanted to do something special, create an unusual social project that would provide positive emotions for both children and adults. I absolutely love animals, to a crazy extent. So, the idea related to them came to me. The thought of bringing reindeer to the city came suddenly and impulsively. Vivid images flashed before my eyes, and I realized that I could create a real fairy tale, bringing reindeer, giving children sleigh rides, and creating a fairy-tale house for the real Santa Claus and other characters. This dream became my farm "Northern Tale," which was opened in late January 2022.
Leisure activities in our city are limited. In terms of entertainment, there's nothing but parks and computer salons. On my farm, children and adults breathe fresh air, take walks in the forest and along the river, and interact with animals.
When I decided to bring reindeer, I first visited reindeer farms in the Moscow and Samara regions, lived there, and studied all aspects of their care. At first, I brought two males, Sever and Buran, from Moscow, where they arrived from Khanty-Mansiysk, and then, after 2.5 months, brought a female, Stella.
The reindeer is one of the most significant animal species, and its role for northern peoples is invaluable. Their entire lifestyle (food, clothing, household culture) is connected with these noble animals, without whom they simply couldn't survive. Reindeer do not have a specific odor, despite their abundant fur. Interestingly, both males and females have antlers. Reindeer antlers, also known as "panty," are covered with velvet and contain the valuable substance pantocrin. They grow at a rate of up to two centimeters a day. Every year, in the transitional spring-winter period, reindeer shed their luxurious antlers and grow new ones. These are very demanding animals, and their upkeep is expensive. The main food for reindeer is moss lichen, which grows only in the North. A bag of such feed costs 8,000 tenge. It takes two bags of lichen per day for three reindeer. I also feed them special compound feed with unique additives, which I purchase in Samara at a deer farm. Reindeer also eat soft grasses and mushrooms and have no upper teeth, just small lower ones. We try to create cool conditions for them, building canopies in summer and taking them to the river every day to swim, which they love.
– Who helped you implement the idea?
– I visited all the banks seeking funding for my idea, to which most responded, to put it mildly, skeptically, and sometimes even sarcastically. Only Nurbank was the one to believe in my project. The branch director in Uralsk warmly talked with me and turned out to be an animal lover as well. She was inspired by my idea, and after providing all the necessary documents, which the bank staff greatly helped me with, I was approved for a "Damu" loan at a preferential rate of 6%. Visiting the Nurbank office is always pleasant as they warmly welcome you, sincerely care about my business, striving to resolve issues swiftly. The bank celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, with a distinct policy towards client relationships that has proven effective and viable. Concerning my experience with banks, I had never taken loans before, so my first was with Nurbank. Consequently, I rented a piece of land and set it up, bought genuine northern sleighs, sledge teams, feed for the animals, and launched an ad campaign. Here, I have a true New Year fairy tale. I can harness reindeer myself and manage the sleighs. Additionally, we have real sledding dogs, huskies, a pony, and fluffy rabbits that children love to pet and feed.
– Were there any difficulties and doubts? Did your loved ones discourage you?
– There were no doubts, and my family supported me both morally and financially. But strangers often told me I was up to something crazy. Everywhere I went, I heard it was impossible. But I still brought the reindeer, built enclosures for them, and presented this true gift to locals and guests of Uralsk.
– What social objectives does your business address on a regional scale?
– The "Northern Tale" reindeer farm promotes tourist business development not only in the region but throughout the country. Currently, Kazakhstan has no comparable leisure alternatives. Guests come from all over Kazakhstan and abroad. In winter, it's great entertainment for children and adults. Admission is free for children under three and those with disabilities, including reindeer and husky sleigh rides. Interaction with animals has been proven to positively impact children's psychological development, bringing positive emotions; engaging with animals allows children to explore the world anew. The impact is especially important for "special children." Children with developmental disabilities visit us; for them, it is real happiness and a special therapy. My reindeer have an amazing energy. Our animals are tame and very kind; reindeer are affectionate and towards to contact, and we open enclosures to give access to them, during such interactions, children are very delighted.
– What challenges do you face?
– The main challenge for access to the reindeer farm and overall internal tourism development is the poor road conditions. It is very difficult to reach our farm, especially in bad weather. In winter, I hire a tractor at my own expense, and we clear the road, but, of course, we cannot repair it on our own. Therefore, I urge city authorities and private investors to solve the problem of providing transport accessibility to such a wonderful corner of our region, which children and adults aim to visit at any time of the year. The need for repairs to the Samara road to the village of Zelёnoye has long been overdue. The absence of comfortable roads hinders the development of settlements in these areas and limits tourism opportunities for city residents and Uralsk guests. I very much hope this issue will be resolved shortly.
– What achievements are you proud of?
– Achievements are the emotions of children and adults who are just as happy to see animals, pet them, feed them, hug them, and take pictures with them. That is exactly what I am proud of, that I can give emotions to all people. Every day, I meet guests from Almaty, Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe, and other cities. Just recently, I hosted guests from distant places like Germany and Egypt. This project is unique for Kazakhstan.
My work does good, bringing joy to children. Guests tell me they come to see my lovely and fluffy rabbits, other inhabitants of the "Northern Tale." I have no competitors, and I don't think I'll have any soon. Running this business isn't easy; you must insanely love animals, giving them your entire heart and soul.
It's important for me to see guests happy, and I thank them for their feedback. When I read it, tears of happiness always flow; guests write incredible things, and I'm proud of it.
– What are your future plans?
– My dream is to build a fairy-tale town and Santa's house on the farm so that he hosts guests like in a real fairy tale, allowing children not only to ride reindeer in sleighs but also to leave their letters with wishes, play with fairy-tale characters, and listen to stories about northern peoples and the role reindeer play in their lives. Help from sponsors and concerned individuals would assist me.
I want to develop agritourism to introduce city residents to rural life, giving the opportunity to interact with animals in nature and get acquainted with noble reindeer living in conditions close to natural ones.
Reference:
SME is the main driver of the economy in Uralsk and the entire West Kazakhstan region. The results of 2021 and the first two quarters of 2022 noted positive dynamics in entrepreneurship development in the region. Projects aimed at economic and social development are actively being implemented. State and regional programs are deployed to support entrepreneurs.
The Nurbank branch in Uralsk opened on November 12, 2004. In 2022, it ranked in the top 100 best companies in the region. For many years, it has consistently ranked among the top three in the branch network rating. Currently, the branch operates a center for banking services, and a new center is planned to open near the central market in early October 2022. The branch provides a full range of banking services for both SMEs and the population.
The branch closely collaborates with JSC "Entrepreneurship Development Fund "Damu," ranking third in loan issuance volumes under state programs among BWF branches in the region. The largest share of funded projects includes food production, commercial construction, trade, and dental services.
Source: https://mgorod.kz/nitem/vpervye-v-kazaxstane-klient-nurbanka-otkryl-olenyu-fermu/