Un monde à entreprendre

Having scheduled and postponed the appointment twice, we finally managed to meet Yann in the Australian coffee of Moscow. We have found in this bar a very friendly and outgoing entrepreneur, who not only made us discover some Russian specialities but also told us a lot about him and his 4 years experience as an entrepreneur.

Yann arrived in Russia around 10 years ago, after having spent almost 3 years in Uzbekistan, as a lecturer and as vice president of the Alliance française in Samarkand. He had formerly performed studies in the faculty of languages, studying mainly Russian, Bulgarian and other similar eastern European languages. He was sent in this town as part of his cooperation during his military duty, and made quickly his mind up when he had to choose for his destination as he had already traveled a lot in the region and knew he wanted to live in this area of the globe for a while.

Married to an Uzbek/Tatar/Russian wife for 10 years and deeply in love with the culture and the country, he first found a position in Moscow in the Club France (which has now become the CCIFR). He worked there for a little bit more than 2 years, helping French companies in Russia and expanding the number of members in this network. He was then poached by the CEO of the local subsidiary of an American company specialized in relocations services. After once again a little bit more than 2 years in this Company, the local CEO changed, and he therefore decided in 2006 to start his own business of relocations services. Being experienced in the real estate business and having developed his network in Moscow for the past 6 years, it appeared to him quite natural move to create his own company. However, he never planned on being an entrepreneur as he would have wanted to pass state exams to work in a diplomatic mission. He only saw a great opportunity and was pushed in this direction by his friends and above all by the co-founder of Wellcome Abroad relocations. The business expanded very quickly as well as the services provided which now not include only home search but also Immigration services (visa, registration) handyman services, tenancy management, temporary accommodation, Internet and Sat TV installation, etc. mainly for French-speaking expatriates as the core of Yann’s network is made of French people. His company now employs 10 people as compared to only 2 in 2006, and his currently investigating in expanding internationally (ie. Ukraine, Kazakhstan).

Standing back on his experience, his main regret is that it did not start earlier his own business as the opportunities were much greater couple of years before he started. He would of course do it again, as he sees Russia as a land of opportunities for people who understand and like this country. As he said, everything is possible in Russia. Everything is easy as long as one is ready to pay for it. Yann would probably not have launched a business in Europe as he believes the administrative system and the tax rates (he currently has the option between paying 6% of his net result or 13% of his turnover in Russia) does not encourage to be an entrepreneur.

If he had to advise people who would like to follow his path in entrepreneurship, Yann would tell you that he recommends it, but one should take first the time to understand his motivation in doing so. You have to love the country in which you want to settle, and you have to understand and like the people who are leaving in this country if you want to be successful. Therefore, he would advise everyone to take the time to spend around a couple of years in the country chosen to actually feel it and build a network. That is key to a well adjusted life as an entrepreneur.

Thank you Yann for your time (and for an excellent dinner), and good luck!