Family business biography

In the Kirov region, family business revives. Interview with entrepreneur Olga Popenova, the founder of the family enterprise in the Pizhananka, how did the very idea of ​​creating a family business appeared and why exactly dumplings and semi -finished products? We started our business with the creation of grocery stores in the year and at the same time encountered a catastrophic lack of high -quality natural semi -finished products.

Then the idea arose to release them under its brand. Our parents come from the village, and since childhood we know the taste of real dumplings and cutlets! The recipes for their preparation were transmitted from generation to generation. It was a whole family ritual. Therefore, we decided to revive traditions, but already on a production scale. How many family members are now involved in work and what are they doing?

The company has 13 members of our family dynasty. Production has become a matter of our whole life for us and our family supports us in this. Business always needs reliable partners. For each, a lesson was found to their liking - these are sales, marketing, and management, and logistics. Taking a family business is the choice of your children or did you prepare them for this?

Often they say - do not raise your children, educate yourself - they will still be like you. Probably, this was exactly what happened for us. When we created a family, it was consent that we would share all joys and difficulties in half and always go with each other and help, support in any business. Our children adopted from us such an attitude to family and business. Our business is aimed at bringing benefits to people, solving creative problems, creating what you can be proud of, and what is important for the environment!

It’s not a shame to transfer such a business, and it will work for a long time. We do not distinguish family members among other employees, we have the same requirements for all. And our team is just wonderful. My husband and I are very open, friendly. And the same people gathered around us. Energetic, indifferent. In the year, at the All-Russian Family Entrepreneurship Forum, you met with the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government Andrei Belousov.

Discussed the problems of family enterprises? First of all, the recognition of the family business was discussed. Indeed, due to the lack of legislative status, we have neither benefits nor advantages. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry promotes this topic. And we all understand that giving the family business a special status will bring the economy the rise, legalize some aspects related to the employment of family members and so on.

And of course, such a business must be supported by the state so that all family enterprises follow the path of development, improve their business. Each forum, a meeting, expand the understanding of the family business, develop a database of proposals on how to make a family business one of the engines of the economy.

You have a lot of competition from federal brands. What principles do you work on to withstand competition? From the first day of production, we did not participate in the race of reducing the price and replacing natural raw materials, but headed to maintain quality based on ancient home recipes - and as practice showed, such a decision was absolutely correct. We have our buyers who trust us, and we do everything to justify trust.

Our grandchildren adore the production of "village dream", each kilogram of our products is prepared as we would cook for our relatives, children and grandchildren. Is this victory important to you? When in Moscow, along with big cities, they suddenly named our last name, our village of Pizhanka, you can’t imagine how nice it was! This victory is very important for us.

We sounded at the All-Russian level, met the expectations of our Vyatka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with which we have long and fruitfully cooperate. What turned out to be the most difficult in building a family business - purely human and as for entrepreneurs? Of course, there were times that it was very difficult, but we coped. First of all, it helped that our business is family.

I also consider it important that my husband and I always hoped only for ourselves. To scold the state or someone, asking for specific help is pointless and unproductive. We must look for opportunities. We tried not to take bank loans, only several times on competitive grants with preferential interest. This helped us a lot, did not get bogged down in payments.

What do you see the prospect for the development of family enterprises in Russia? Family enterprises are a kind of basis of the economy, here mentoring, continuity, and ensuring the financial independence of the family. As history shows, the family business in the second, third generation is gaining truly power and strength, seriously affects the country's economy and bears social responsibility!