Confucius once said, 'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.' This aphorism of the ancient thinker and philosopher is more relevant than ever. Today, many Kazakhstani citizens, thanks to the active development of small and medium-sized businesses, have a good opportunity to start their own business, realize long-standing plans. And for most of them, this is the very work they love, where work brings only satisfaction.
It is pleasant to note that today in Kazakhstan, small and medium-sized businesses are growing like never before, as this is the most important sector of the economy and the foundation of the country's development. Young people are no longer afraid, as they used to be, to venture into business by creating what they have dreamed of.
All the advantages of owning your own company are evident - you are your own boss, you work for yourself, the schedule is convenient. However, let's be honest about this.
Despite all the advantages, owning a business is a highly ambitious task, and according to statistics, the majority of new companies close within the first year of existence.
Starting your own business from scratch is not as hard as it seems. However, most budding entrepreneurs do not know where exactly to start and which business field to choose.
Even in times of crisis, it is possible to find and implement a profitable strategy. Not to mention that conditions are created for the implementation of small and medium-sized businesses, one of which is the crediting of small and medium-sized businesses. There are many successful examples of small and medium-sized business financing in the market. On the eve of the New Year, we will tell you about the most prominent project implemented.
It helped more than a thousand women fulfill their dream of becoming mothers. Passionate about his work, he eagerly talks about not being afraid to use bank money to grow his business.
Stanislav Tararaka is a distinguished doctor of Kazakhstan, an honorary member of the Russian Reproductive Human Association (RARC), a member of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the Kazakhstan Association of Human Reproduction (KACH), a specialist of the highest category, and the founder of the 'Marriage and Family' medical center.
Stanislav Stanislavovich, when and how did the 'Marriage and Family' medical center come about?
It happened more than 20 years ago - in 1986, our center began its work. At that time, there were no similar centers in Kazakhstan, we became pioneers in the field of reproductive health. This was noted by the Kazakhstan Association of Reproductive Humans.
We established a center in our country to help childless women. Over two decades, the names changed several times: perinatal center, family planning center.
Eventually, our medical center was named 'Marriage and Family'. Since 1988, we have already begun working as a private clinic and dealt with family planning issues. Our center is one of the leaders in reproductive health in Kazakhstan and abroad.
How did the idea of moving in this direction arise?
We have always worked in one direction, setting the goal of providing effective assistance to childless families. The problem of infertility was indeed relevant and painful then, as there was not even IVF yet. In the 1980s, we dreamed and envisioned that we would have a sperm bank, a donor eggs center, cryoconcentration, and IVF. For those times, these were cosmic programs. Once, the science fiction writer Jules Verne drew a path for himself, and he succeeded at everything. And we did it too! Everything we dreamed and fantasized about came true! At the anniversary of our medical center, we compared our preserved drawings in an album, and as it turned out, today we have even surpassed these fantasies in many ways. We have a modern surgery center, cryopreservation, IVF. Our center is equipped with the latest high-precision and high-performance equipment.
What difficulties did you face in the process of starting the business?
Very costly technologies. We were among the first to engage in IVF. And to start working effectively, we needed unique equipment, which is very expensive. At some stage, we made do with what we had, and then the time came to upgrade.
How did the renewal process go? Was it not frightening during the crisis?
For some reason, during the crisis, there is a tendency for enterprises to fear borrowing for business development. But we, on the contrary, took a loan during the crisis. I believe that a crisis situation gives momentum for growth and development. Because at this moment, people will choose the best from the best products. And if we have high-quality high-tech equipment, they will come to us. And our investments will pay off anyway.
A lack of inquiries is rare in our business. The desire to have children does not depend on the crisis, happy couples need heirs. If we had waited for the crisis to end, we would not have been able to compare ourselves to any laboratory in the world.
Stanislav Stanislavovich, it's no secret that most entrepreneurs fear taking bank loans for business development. What is your opinion on this matter?
There are those who are surprised by our results because our 'Marriage and Family' center is at the same level as in Europe.
There is a common saying, somewhat jokingly: 'Take a loan and first buy the underwear you'll be left with.' Before taking a loan, we always made forecasts and calculations in order to justify the investments.
Fortunately, my foresight did not deceive me. There is a huge difference between a regular loan with a crazy interest rate and a loan from the 'Damu' Entrepreneurship Development Fund, whose rate is 6-7%.
I am surprised by some entrepreneurs who don't even know that such conditions exist and don't believe that with the help of 'Damu', powerful business support can be organized without complex and lengthy procedures. Everything is quite simple.
How has SME lending helped your organization?
Now we want to take a loan to open a branch in the capital. Of course, you can't save up personal money with a loan. And even if I can't leave huge funds for my children and grandchildren, they will inherit a well-established business. I don't need much in this life.
But we will make a capital investment in fixed assets. Taking this opportunity, I would like to say a huge thank you to Nurbank. This is a true professional with extensive experience and psychological influence, who skillfully, thoroughly, and accessibly explained all the risks, detailing the entire procedure from first to last step. It seemed like I already wanted to give up everything, don't need anything and the loan either, but she calmed down and explained the most difficult questions. A great financier, truly.
You know, I don't recall any particular mistakes, I only regret one thing, that I didn't take a loan to develop the business back then. I'm sure I would be a head taller now if I had had the means for development then. Because relying on one's own means is a longer path to success.
We have been cooperating with NurBank for SME lending for a long time, and I am a regular client. In addition to the center, I have other projects that I also implemented thanks to SME lending. For example, a clinic where the best gynecological surgeries are performed. If the bank takes responsibility and approaches its business correctly, the opportunity for business development is there.
How are things today?
Things are going well. Thanks to NurBank, we opened a branch in Shymkent, thereby creating 50 jobs. At the moment, we are negotiating the opening of a branch in Astana. We strive to develop and expand, using new technologies and constantly improving the qualifications of our employees.
What is the complexity of developing your own business?
Unfortunately, I know banks that, during tough times for businesses, tried to 'sink the drowning.' Keeping real estate to themselves, and overall, trust in banks is a difficult question for many. I'll try to dispel this moment. From my personal experience, I want to say: don't be afraid. Just study the bank's structure, the professionals working there, and gather feedback. Cooperation with a bank resembles the IVF process in many ways. Partnership should be maintained until the result. Of course, I received many proposals from other banks, but I am an 'old wolf', sticking to the position of stable partnership. Personal approach matters a lot to me. And NurBank provided me with this approach.
Stanislav Stanislavovich, are you satisfied with today's result?
You can't be completely and 100% satisfied with your result. Because any business, like any person, has room to grow. So, I can say that today, I can do more and better.
A parting word for young entrepreneurs?
Develop, grow. Don't be afraid of anything! And do what you love!