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14.08.2024

Madina Soyarkulova: I always analyze and put priority on one side of the scale

Madina Soyarkulova

How do you balance business and family responsibilities? Do you have any specific strategies?

Madina Soyarkulova: My main strategy is planning and managing time. I plan everything for the week ahead and always know how much time I have for work, family and myself. At work, I deal exclusively with work issues, at home with my children and my spouse, and in my personal time I pay attention to spiritual and intellectual self-development. These areas do not overlap: I do not solve personal matters at work, I do not solve any work issues at home, and in my personal time I abstract myself from both work and household responsibilities.

What key principles do you apply to team management to create a productive and harmonious work environment?

M. S.: One of the key principles is employment. My main task is to organize the work of employees so that they do not have time for empty and inefficient tasks. The second principle is equal treatment for everyone. Previously, I could single out someone, which caused a negative reaction from others. I now respect professional ethics and personal boundaries, showing equal loyalty to all employees. I praise when I need to, and make comments when I need to.

In addition, I adhere to the policy of openness. I always show the team the real state of affairs and set them the goals that are really important, while emphasizing the personal benefit of everyone. My team has long understood that each employee is a link in one chain: if one link is weakened, the whole chain can collapse. Finally, my main principle is to pay personal attention to each employee, explaining to them their role in the team. I show by my example how the work should be done, because it is impossible to achieve the desired result only with words.

How do you prioritize your life so that you don't miss important moments in both business and family?

M. S.: Scales. I always analyze and weigh my priorities. There are things that are urgent, and there are complex tasks that the brain tries to postpone for later.
Priorities are determined not only by the mind, but also intuitively. I take a certain amount of time to analyze each day, try to understand where I made mistakes, and when I am at rest, alone, I appeal to my intuition. It tells you what is important and what can be postponed. Thus, priorities are determined based on experience, intelligence, logic and judgment, but the key factor here is intuition.
Thanks to my experience and the mistakes I have already made in my family life and career, I try to analyze them and organize them so that I don't repeat them in the future.

Can you give me an example?

M. S.: Sure. Several times I turned to designers in early March with a request to sew a festive outfit for Nowruz, hoping to get it by March 20. As a result, I received the outfit only in April or May. I realized that due to the influx of customers, designers do not have time, and quality suffers. The following year, I turned to the designer in January, we did fitting sessions in February, and by the beginning of March, my order was ready. It's like the saying, " Get your sled ready in the summer."

How do you approach family priorities?

M. S.: For example, when my child came out with a C in algebra in the fourth quarter, I promised myself to spend an hour every night analyzing the subject, but this did not always work out, and in the second quarter the situation repeated itself. I came to the conclusion that I should either make a strict time for this, without excuses, or hire a tutor. It is important to understand that such things as children's studies, birthdays, participation in competitions, can not be postponed, because “then " may not come.

What lessons from your personal experience would you like to pass on to young entrepreneurs starting out?

M. S.: The first lesson is to do what really appeals to you. No matter what you decide to do, even if there are already a lot of competitors in your niche, if you have a strong desire to do this business, go ahead and do it. Don't listen to anyone, not mentors or entrepreneurs who give you advice. It's important to do something that gets you a genuine response.
The second tip is to save up money for your dream. Never start a business with money borrowed or borrowed, and do not expect funding from your parents or relatives. If they invest money, they start dictating what you do, and you become a puppet. This should be your startup and your investment. Work, save up, but start a business only with your own funds.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes and faces setbacks. Believe in yourself, keep moving forward and follow the example of the best. Always look for sources of inspiration. It is important to understand that at the initial stage, support from friends and relatives may be minimal. Outsiders often believe in you more than those close to you, because they will see your success later. So look for inspiration and support outside of your immediate environment.
Invest in training, buy courses, and contact specialists. This will help you draw strength and inspiration. The main thing is to believe in yourself and continue to move forward, despite the setbacks.

How do you deal with crisis situations in your business and what approaches do you use to minimize stress?

M. S.: In crisis situations, I always come back to myself and ask the question: what did I start for and why did the crisis come? I analyze what this is related to, and what new approaches I can apply. In a crisis, you always need to look for something new and interesting. People constantly need novelty, and this helps to cope with stagnation.
When faced with a crisis, I focus on implementing new approaches. For example, I'm starting to actively use new content formats, such as filming Reels or telling brand stories. This shifts my attention and energy to new tasks, and there is no room for stress. Seeing how the audience reacts to changes helps motivate me. Compliments and positive feedback from loved ones also play an important role, they become my fulcrum.
Crises help me grow. They show that I stand still, and it's time to move forward, look for new ways and be inspired by new ideas. In times of crisis, I pull myself together and start looking for new approaches, products, and brands. By immersing myself in this, I take my mind off the stress, and usually find a way out of the crisis.



Madina Soyarkulova

What is the role of emotional intelligence in your business and family relationships?

M. S.: Emotional intelligence plays a huge role. I am a woman, and I always act through my feelings. Men usually go through the mind, through logic, and a woman should follow the response, the call of the heart, intuition. Emotional intelligence is 80% in my business affairs, parenting, and relationships with my spouse.
Emotional intelligence allows me to act not through effort and perseverance, but playfully. It guides me where I need to go. Even if something doesn't work, I improve, hone, and refine my approaches. Thanks to this, I have achieved a lot in my life.
Emotional intelligence plays a key role in my business strategies and family relationships. I interact more with the world through my emotions, although I use my mind as an invaluable tool.

What habits or rituals help you stay focused and productive in your daily life?

M. S.: There are a few key habits that I strictly follow. First, an early rise. I get up at 4: 00 or 4: 30 in the morning, even if I went to bed late. This is very important to me. I started getting up with the sun after watching a video of Sadhguru talking about our connection to nature. I've been following this ritual for two years now.
Secondly, no gadgets and social networks in the first three hours after waking up. I start my day with a workout. From 5 to 6 in the morning, I have an online training session with my coach Ira, who lives by sports and motivates me by her example.
Third, an hour for yourself after your workout. From 6 to 7 in the morning, I take a contrast shower and prepare breakfast just for myself. These three hours in the morning belong only to me, I forget that I am a mother, wife, businesswoman and so on. I spend this time waking up my body, getting in touch with nature, and enjoying breakfast.
I also plan my day constantly and always carry a daily planner with me. During the day, I check my tasks several times, analyze what has already been done and what is left. A wristwatch reminds me of the value of time and helps me stay productive.

What innovations are you implementing in your business?

M. S.: So far, none. In my opinion, innovation requires serious investment. First, I want to build a dream team to make sure that my investment will be justified and recouped.

How do you maintain open and honest communication with your family and team?

M. S.: For me, this is a self-evident factor. For three years now, I have been living in complete honesty with myself, and this is passed on to my team and family members. I am quite an open and straightforward person, and everyone knows this — my children, my environment.
Sometimes it can be difficult, because my honesty can cause emotional discomfort to my loved ones, so I work on expressing it more eco-friendly, to present it more gently. But I strongly believe in the need to maintain maximum openness. At the moment, we can say that 85% of this honesty and openness is present in my communication with the team and family.

What qualities do you consider most important for a successful business leader, and how do they intersect with family values?

M. S.: The following qualities are important for a successful business leader::
Consistency — demonstrate it by your own example, so that the team sees and follows this example.
Discipline — be organized and strictly adhere to the planned plan.
Responsibility — to be responsible for your words and actions.
Integrity-Integrity and ethical behavior are important for establishing a trusting relationship.
Literacy — professional skills and knowledge are the foundation of effective work.
Communication skills — the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with your team and partners.
Loyalty to the word — to keep your promises, despite the difficulties.
Emotional intelligence — the ability to be emotionally balanced and balanced.
These qualities intersect with family values, because the family is also a project that requires constant development and attention. I apply the same principles in parenting as I do in team management: consistency, discipline, and responsibility. I also use a variety of approaches both at work and in the family, constantly updating and developing habits and interests to keep me interested and motivated.



Madina Soyarkulova

How do you deal with failures and disappointments?

M. S.: Failures and disappointments are part of the universe and the divine plan. When I encounter difficulties, I try to remind myself of the progress I've made. I am not discouraged, but I am looking for solutions: I turn to mentors, buy new courses, and immerse myself in learning. I believe that if there was a failure, it means that I did something wrong, and you need to look for the reasons in yourself and your actions. Instead of being discouraged, I fill in the” empty field " with new knowledge and strive for the next step. I see periods of calm or frustration as an opportunity to analyze and improve my approach to business.

How do you inspire your children or loved ones to develop entrepreneurial thinking and responsibility?

M. S.: For children, I use several methods of motivation. First, I put monetary rewards for reading books, because I believe that the mind needs to be constantly developed, like muscles. I also take my children to new places of interest, such as expensive restaurants, buy season tickets to elite swimming pools, so that they get in touch with a high-quality lifestyle and strive for the best in the future.
We also carefully select high-rated films that focus on family and motivation, so that the time spent watching them is useful. I show them how an entrepreneurial mindset allows me to be more free and independent, as well as participate in and support their lives.
I also convey to them the importance of self-discipline and responsibility. Working for yourself requires more effort and self-control than working for someone else, and I explain this to my children. Through personal example, conversations, and communication, I inspire them to develop their entrepreneurial skills and strive for high goals.
I also take into account the characteristics of my children, highlighting individual "chips" that will attract a particular child.

What books, courses, or resources have had the greatest impact on your approach to business and family relationships

M. S.: For the past 12 years, I have been systematically engaged in self-development. Although it is possible to name specific books and authors, it is important to understand that my approach to business and family relations was formed through constant reading and study. I choose books based on reviews and recommendations, and I have a favorite bookstore where I get valuable advice from the owner, Akifori Duna. It helps me choose books on parenting and business, and allows me to exchange books I've already read.
I have four shelves of books: fiction, spiritual self-development, business and management, and psychology. I plan to make a separate podcast and publication with specific examples of books that have influenced my consciousness. At the moment, I can only generalize that each direction has its own key works that shape my approach to life and work.


Madina Soyarkulova

What are your long-term goals as an entrepreneur?

M. S.: My long-term goals are focused on creating projects that will bring meaningful benefits to people and the world. I strive to develop long-term, sustainable projects that will grow and bring benefits. It is important that my words correspond to the results that I will achieve in the future.
I plan to open several new successful businesses, since a successful entrepreneur is not someone who works with only one project, but someone who manages several, devoting enough time and resources to each one. My goal is to help young people through mentoring and participation in my projects, to support them in finding their place and achieving success.
I also strive to partner with worthy business partners to create and finance projects where honest cooperation and equal participation will be a priority. In addition, I plan to create from three to five projects that will be useful and interesting to people.
I'm not ready to move on to training and mentoring yet, as I don't think I've reached my peak yet. My goal is to achieve significant business success first, and then pass on my knowledge and skills to others.