– Good afternoon, Igor. Please tell us about your story in America. Where did you study and work before Texas?
I’m originally from Ukraine. I began my independent life in Dnieper, having moved there to study from the small town of Kremenchug. In 1993, I opened my own business. We were involved in retail design. Advertising designs had become my life’s work for the next 20 years. In parallel, I was developing the construction business and many related projects.
– Was Austin your original choice or was it a coincidence you ended up here?
A completely deliberate choice, after the consideration of other states and cities. My family and I have traveled 25% of America. Threeq main questions stood before me:
– Can I manifest my talent in the states, and find out which of the businesses will produce the most effective result?
– What visa status will enable me to implement this as quickly and efficiently as possible?
– How much time and money do you need to reach the point of gaining profit in America?
After my partners and I decided to invest in the construction business and build a billion-dollar company in the states, I began preparations that lasted almost a year.
– What do you like about Austin most of all?
The market! I’ll be honest: the real estate market here is incredibly lively. One could only dream of such a thing in Ukraine. Austin is full of potential and is a promising city for our business. I think that in the horizon of 5 years we will reach an even higher point. Of course, I also have to mention how friendly the people here are, the hills, and lakes with magnificent landscapes and a reasonable price point.
– Please tell us about your profession and your work.
I am a visionary and a creator. This is certainly not a profession, but an ability. To more specifically answer the question, my team and I choose and purchase land, create a project of an aesthetic modern house, then build and sell. This is the whole business model, which at first seems simple, but consists of nuances that determine whether you are actually successful.
– Which of your projects is the most memorable, and why?
2600 Crazyhorse Pass. It is a house, our first in the states. We put all of our soul, skill, and energy into this project. I think I will remember it for the rest of my life. I will always remember how we had to adapt the project to American standards, how we inspected and transported components from Ukraine, how we fought for the level and quality of the construction, how we paid attention to every detail, and how all Austin helped me make such a cool product. The devil is in the little things, I clearly understand this and try to do everything in my life at the highest level. To some extent, my perfectionism bothers me, but I can’t do it any other way.
– Do you participate in professional groups? If so, which ones?
Yes, in Ukraine I was a member of four communities. CEO club, FBN, DYB, and SOUP. Each of these organizations has its own mission. The CEO club brings together the business elite of Ukraine; FBN brings together owners of family businesses; DYB club creates an intellectual environment for progressive company owners; SUP creates and develops a favorable business climate in Ukraine. This is an incredible environment that unique people create. Sharing is at the heart of the community. If you only came to take, there would be no point. Come to give. When you come to the community, ask this question: how can I be of help? After 8 years of participation in these clubs, I have grown greatly mentally, in knowledge, in acquaintances, in business approaches and in my personal life. The community helps you, you help the community – that is the exchange.
– How are your relations with your homeland developing? Do you miss any aspect of life in your homeland?
Yes, I miss the people and food. Both aspects are emotional. Otherwise, my concept of life is as follows. A person is happy where he realizes his talent and is recognized. I choose the environment I build around myself and it doesn’t matter where it is, in Ukraine or America. You have the right to choose whom you associate with and what you do. You are the builder of your own happiness. The homeland has given you the basics. The rest we take from the global context, especially now. Our Motherland is planet Earth.
– What traditions and habits have you kept from pre-Texas life?
Designing the aesthetics around me; exchanging with unique people and bringing people together; being creative and creating products of the highest quality; developing myself in many ways, opening new pages; surprising my wife, just like in bouquet and candy period of life; spending time with children and making sure to treat them like adults; eating deliciously, paying attention to myself; traveling and discovering new places.
– Please tell us about your family.
Natasha and I have been together for 27 exciting years, and we have two children, Polina, she is 21, and Timofey, 11. Natasha develops her business, which is associated with the production of textile products. By the way, she was a guest in a similar interview. Polina is already building her independent life, she now lives and works in Kiev. Timofey is here with us and is in the 6th grade. He plays hockey and is learning to play the guitar. He is also a famous blogger on Tik Tok.
– What do you do besides work? What are your interests and hobbies?
Business is my passion. I don’t separate myself from business. However, sometimes I like to do something special, for myself or my family. I love reading, and am developing my skills in AIKIDO. My family and I love to travel.
– What else would you like to tell us about yourself?
At a certain moment, you realize that life is finite. During this period, you begin to be highly sensitive to the things in your life. You begin to understand what is yours and what is not; what is worth doing and what you just do not need to spend time on; tastes, addictions, sensations, feelings settle down; you start to really feel the moment; aggression becomes passion and direction; the value of things acquires a different meaning; life becomes deeper, like red wine, expressing itself with special tastes and aromas.
– What are your favorite books and films?
Books: “Sapiens” and “Amadeus” by Yuval Noah Harari, “To Have or To Be” by Erich Fromm; “Conquest of the South Pole. Race of Leaders” by Roland Huntford, “Atlas Shrugged and The Source” by Ayn Rend, “Start by asking Why?” by Simon Sinek, “Discovering the Organizations of the Future” by Frederic Laloux, Jeffrey Liker’s “Tao Toyota”, “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki.
Films: Peaceful Warrior by Billy Eliot, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Last Samurai, The Battle of the Red Rock, Choristers, The Devil Wears Prada, and Legend 17 by Enzo Ferrari.
– Do you think Austin needs a Russian Cultural Center? If so, how would you like to participate?
Any association of people can be based on an idea and personality. If there is a good idea in someone’s name and a strong leader who will promote this idea, then yes. For the next 10 years, I have chosen to dedicate myself to building a business. My participation in other matters would take away the attention from the business. Therefore, at the moment, I will not be able to give much.
– What would you like to wish the Russian-speaking residents of Austin and Texas?
On average, a person lives 30,000 days, which is short enough to get to know himself and life. I want to wish everyone to live every day as fully as possible. There won’t be a second such day, there won’t be a second such moment, there won’t be a second such business, there won’t be a second such friend, there won’t be a second such beloved, there won’t be any other such children – APPRECIATE AND FILL YOUR LIFE HERE AND NOW!
Контактная информация:
Igor Stepanov
Tel: 512-299-4069
Email: artvillageus@gmail.com
Website: www.artvillagedvlp.com