No excuses: "My impetus - this is my family" - interview with businessman Dmitry Belyaev

Today's guest is special project "No excuses," - Dmitry Belyaev, owner of Cherepovets. He organized and lifted from the ground up business in a completely unfamiliar to myself sphere. All for the sake of his family - faithful wife and two children.

After the interview with Dmitry, I realized that conversations like these men are extinct in our country, - complete nonsense. They are. Live in the provincial hinterland, bringing up children, are engaged in business. Open and read our conversation, you too will see for yourself.

- Hello Dmitry! I am pleased to welcome you to our special project.

- Hello, Anastasia! Thanks for the invitation.

- Tell us about your hometown and childhood?

- I was born in the city of Cherepovets, Vologda Region. He lived with his parents. Father all my life worked as a builder, first as a foreman, and when the Soviet Union was no more, opened his business.

He went to school. From his childhood in sports. With 12 years - CCM karate. I went to the competition, including in the Russian Championship. Won prizes.

So the choice of profession after school, probably, natural - went to college on sportfak. He trained as a coach and teacher. Simply put, the gym teacher. :)

- Who do you dream to become in childhood?

- A special dream was not. Unlike all Soviet children, to become an astronaut did not want to. :)

But I've always aspired to independence, so long as he studied at the Institute, 6 years working in advertising. This gave experience in dealing with people.

Then he went into business for his father, became his deputy, communicate with suppliers, looking for where cheaper to solve organizational issues.

- After injury life has changed?

- Of course. But there was no time to get upset.

I had a good incentive to go on living - two children, the youngest of whom at that time, even a year are not fulfilled.

It is understood that at first did not want to take myself in a wheelchair. It is moving to the other side. I did not want any group to join, no, no spin in this environment. But gradually adapted.

- Who helped in this?

- My wife. She's clever. Not gone, not thrown. When she came to see me in the hospital room, my joy knew no bounds, on the face smile blossomed. Of course, parents and support.

And close nervous even more than I do. They supported me is the fact that just were there, and I had to reassure them sometimes. :)

- A friend did not throw?

- Friends may not be much. And I have had a few, but there are still less. Who are interested in, he stayed, who does not - gone. So there were other priorities.

Start from scratch

- How did you came up with the idea to open an orthopedic salon?

- Several factors contributed. Firstly, after the injury itself faced with the need for orthopedic devices. You come into the store, and you say: "We do not, but we can order." The order is 2 weeks, but you need right now.

Secondly, wheelchair users to find a job very difficult. Especially in my field. Though once I did it. For a while I worked as a Physical Training Instructor in the center "Overcoming", engaged with the children in a special state program. But, you know, at a salary of 5,000 rubles a family can not feed.

Thirdly, I have analyzed the market and realized that in Cherepovets not many orthopedic salons. Niche demand, but not full.

And one day the wife suggested, "Let's open your salon?". I spent a year nurturing the idea, because I had to start from scratch. I do not know what's inside this business, where to look for suppliers, which products are most in demand.

- The idea - is half the battle. Second half - a start-up capital. Where to find the money?

- I sold the car. In addition, through the Agency of Urban Development found that it is possible to be trained and receive a subsidy from the Employment Center on their own business. Passed courses, I wrote a business plan and got the money.

Then there was another grand to support small businesses. He fought for the whole year. A long and troublesome work, but still I managed to get this money.

All this has allowed the spring of 2013 to start business.

- In your opinion, the Russian orthopedic products and rehabilitation equipment can compete with Western?

- Can. But the Germans still do better.

- How is it going? Who helps run a business?

- Things are going well. Cooperating with regional organizations of the disabled, social security authorities, the center of martial arts.

It helps his wife. She's my legs. Which do not require personal presence, it is easier to run somewhere and settle everything.

- What is your staff?

- While working together with his wife. I spent at home, almost without leaving almost two years - hatched. I'm in a rush every day to go to work.

I believe that the businessman must know their job thoroughly. As I said, this is a new sphere for me, so I am eager to delve into all personally.

- So do you stand for "counter"?

- Yes, well. By the way, there are curious cases. For me, just do not say that a disabled person. People wildly that the disabled person can work. Go to the salon and saw that I was in a wheelchair, they think that I'm so entertained. Begin to swear, saying, shame on you. And then, when he explained the situation, it is a shame to himself. Sorry.

Over time, when there will be more points, I will hire salespeople.

- You'll take on the job disability?

- Why not? If it will work well, with pleasure. People with disabilities are often more responsible. For them, the work - this is self-realization, a way to prove that you are no worse than others.

My family is my castle

- What is the main problem, in your opinion, people with disabilities?

- Internal psychological barriers. You already find yourself in a difficult situation, but still wildly society perceives you.

Although I can not help but note that now people are much more positive than negative. Soviet mentality rooted in the past. Young people perceive people with disabilities as equal. It's great.

- As in Cherepovets is the case with a barrier-free environment?

- Also see a tendency towards improvement. There are ramps, and not anyhow be necessary, appropriate and SNIP. Although it is still a lot of sites where done, if only it was just to far behind.

- They tried to fight it?

- I am a member of the city commission at sots.zaschite which checks the ramps building regulations.

- Dmitry, our project is called "No excuses." What does this mean for you?

No one owes nothing to nobody. All you need to achieve himself. If you sit and whine, did not attain anything. In any situation you need to make conclusions for themselves. Do not sit at home, do not sit at someone else in the neck.

- What motivates you in life?

- Family! Definitely. Really I love his wife and children. For myself I would not do anything - anything for them.

- What are you dreaming about?

- My dream is to play with his son in football.

As for business, then everything is standard - to grow and develop. From no one to depend on.

- Wish anything Layfhakera readers?

Movement - life. Move more! And smiling people. :)

- A wonderful farewell. Thanks for the interview, Dmitry! :)

- And thank you.