Business coach Meder Amatov told about the nature of the pilot project "Bastau Business" organized by School of Business "Bastau" with the support of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan "Atameken"

Residents of Munaily District of the Mangistau region within the frames of the pilot project "Bastau Business", organized by the School of Business “Bastau” with the support of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan" Atameken ", during the month were trained to the basics of starting and running a business. Business coach Meder Amatov, who conducted the classes, spoke about the villagers' projects that have received a chance to live. He has extensive experience in the development and implementation of new business projects in different fields of business.

- Meder Toktosunovich tell us about the program “Bastau Business". For what purpose it has been launched?

- The main objective of the project is to promote business ideas in the regions, in the villages. Because if you live in the city, there is no problem to find a job. And for villages unemployment is a big problem. The choice fell on Munaily District of the Mangistau region, because the lion's share of the population is repatriates. These are people who arrived to an unknown place, and try to settle. There are those who have been successful, there are those who live mediocre. But there are a lot of people, who do not know what to do. They can’t feed their families. They do not have enough knowledge. Moreover, all these people do not speak Russian. Of the entire group, only one woman spoke Russian. We tried to communicate information to them in an accessible language, to teach them to the basics of entrepreneurial thinking, how to write a business plan. We wanted to teach them to believe in themselves, to give them hope and help this dream come true - this is our goal.

- How many people participated in the training?

We had 44 people. Out of the 44, we selected 13 projects, which will get funding. Now they are considered by the microfinance organization "Atameken" under the Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Mangistau region. There are other financing programs that are interested in our projects. We are now looking for tools.

There was a very interesting case. One of the projects received an offer for the purchase of the share in the business.. A woman came, saying, "I did not even expect it. A month ago, I did not have anything, and now I spoke to the Prime Minister, and now investors are interested in me". However, she is a housewife, raising children on her own.

- The project is focused on the self-employed and the unemployed?

- Can’t say that it is focused on a specific category, because everybody can come. We do not say, "You are not a budding entrepreneur, go away". The main thing is a desire to create something new, to learn. If the entrepreneur has more money and opportunities, he will employ more people.

- How was the project implemented, what steps did you pass?

- First of all, we informed people. We had to prove that we stand for something that is not another training. Because different campaign groups, organizers of various trainings and seminars often come to the regions. Most of them are useless. Learning should last at least one month. 30 days I lived there with them. From 8 in the morning we began the lectures. They came from different villages, you just imagine! At 12 I would let them go, because they had to have lunch with their family. But we were also conducted individual consultations, at which we sometimes sat up till night. Some just wanted to consult, to talk. They need to listen and to understand. They all became friends call each other classmates. 70-year-old grandmother calls me "agay" -  it is so pleasant.

- Even a 70-year-old grandmother come?

- Yes. She didn’t miss a lecture! When I told her that she needs to write a business plan, she told me: "I want to write it, but I never approached the computer". I told her to write by hand. She had not slept the night before, she wrote it. I check everything is structured and it contains great ideas! I told her that everything is fine. I shaped it on the computer, inserted beautiful graphics, made the analysis, put pictures, found the equipment supplier. Now she has a small bakery project. She will feed her family, neighbors.

- What other interesting projects can you tell about?

- All the projects are interesting. One decided to distribute in her region the fast-food chain “Fish & cheaps” ( “Fish and potato”) by the British type. I just told her the example. She got so interested, she said: I'm going to do it. I say, "Well, if you want to do, calculate the costs. Aktau is a maritime city, there is fish. Let's try it! "She went home, fried fish and chips, made up the sauce, batter recipe and the next day brought it to us. Everyone liked the taste. She immediately made the marketing analysis.

Another participant of the program is already torn apart by investors. This woman is a gynecologist with 20 years of experience, who wants to open a private gynecological practice. This is one of the best projects, because it is of huge social importance.

- In what way this program differs from others? After all, today there are many business-oriented state programs.

- This state programs present theory. There are very few business coaches, who can deliver information, while still having a great professional experience in the national language. There is no program that can teach in an accessible language so long and so carefully.

- With regard to funding. Where villagers take money for their projects?

- I just said, do not think about financing. The money can be found, if you are confident in your project. At the moment, the first point of funding – is a microfinance program "Atameken". All projects are trying to get funding through it now. In general, about 85 million tenge is required for the implementation of the project. As a result of the pilot it is planned to create 106 jobs.

- Under 4%?

Under 4% up to 15 million tenge. But it is interesting that none of them asks for 15 million, they ask the exact amount of money they need: not like so people, who take loans without thinking about how to pay it. They ask for as much as they need to start and to run business. That is, people are focused on the work. This is a very good indicator.

- Thank you for the interview, success to you and your "disciples"!

- Thank you!