|
|
The General Director and founder of Dio, as well as the co-founder and General Director of the vacation complex “Nunisi”, along with her husband doctor- phytotherapist Davit Vashadze, has begun a new project related to the development of phytotherapy treatment. Business Association “Women for the Future" Board Member.
How did you start your business? What gave you the momentum and what became your inspiration?
I graduated my university in 1988. . It was from this period that the unrest in Georgia began, the Soviet Union disintegrated and the country was facing its most difficult period. In particular, the civil war and the era of the formation of a new, independent state. This time is referred to as the "dark and cold 1990s". It is during this period that I became interested in my business.
My first job was at the Computing Center of the Ministry of Health, then the Savings Bank, although it was not enough to make a living due to the low pay. Which is why I started various activities with friends and in 1994, on the advice of a friend, I became interested in the business of blinds. I found the first clients and realized that this business might be interesting. In 1996, together with my siblings - Tamaz and Tamuna, we founded the company Dio, which has been a market leader for 25 years in the production of plastic, aluminum doors and windows, curtains, blinds, shading systems, and automated doors. Dio produces up to 70 products and has 5 branches across the country (in Tbilisi - Digomi and Saburtalo, as well as in Batumi, Kutaisi and Telavi).
What types of difficulties have you faced on the road to success?
The road to success is always full of challenges and obstacles, however the bigger challenges you overcome the more success you become, which is very exciting and interesting for me. Our business started during a very difficult period during the 90s. Barely anything was possible at that time, electricity was scarce, the environment was ridden with crime, unformed state structures, corruption, logistics problems, inexperience. However, overcoming all this allows you to achieve the goal of doing your own
What does experience teach you?
I have been working independently for almost 30 years. I believe that the experience I’ve gained is the best guide. I learned to fight, and that you should not give up, you should not tolerate failure. Every problem is a task that has an answer. It is necessary to be grateful to all the people who have been by your side for so many years and help you. It is important to understand that you cannot succeed alone, you create it with the people next to you - be it family, friends, co-workers or casual acquaintances.
Often one word can change lives completely. Appreciating someone else’s work and being a fair leader, I think, is the key to what we are constantly learning throughout our lives.
Who were the people that helped you in this difficult road?
First of all, they were my family members, my mother and father, who have planted the seed of loving learning and other people. They taught me how to achieve success with my own work.
My brother and sister, who were always by my side no matter the situation – without them Dio would not have been as successful and strong.
Friends who have constantly encouraged me…
Especially for a woman to succeed, it is important to have a husband who has been supporting my work for 15 years and understands that I am not a "woman in the kitchen". The children who are the motivators of my work today always give me the drive for new and innovative things.
Also, it is very important for me to have customers whose requirements are driven by development.
Who is your Role-model?
I do not have a clear role model, but I think the mother is always a starting role model for girls. Then, perhaps, Margaret Thatcher and Meryl Streep. They are a symbol of strength and wisdom, of sophistication for me.
What does being a member of the Business Association “Women for the Future” mean for you?
It is an association that brings together interesting, smart, independent, strong-willed women who care about the development of those around them and are the motivators of various changes. They have a lot of interesting ideas and projects. I am very proud to be standing next to them.
What advice do you give to women who want to start their own business?
Women do not need to be afraid of starting a business. When you have an idea, you must believe in the idea’s success and it is important to find the correct person that will help you in fleshing it out and implementing it. It is necessary to find the information needed and increase their knowledge around the idea. It is necessary to determine the financial capabilities at the initial stage and establish a balance between costs and profits.
How do you see yourself in the formation of civil society?
You know, I really want to change many things for the better in our country, so in any activity that is within my competence, I always put my best work, I will spare no effort to contribute to the success of the country!
I am currently involved in the work of a tripartite commission. Government, employers and trade unions. We are actively working on the development of vocational schools.
What is your daily schedule? How do you plan the week, the month? How do you spend time on activities and family?
The schedule, of course, consists of balancing time between family and work, and this is especially difficult when you have 2 teenagers at home. I try to keep up with everything. I start today at 07:20 and finish at 02:30. The last 3 years have been very difficult since I passed the Master’s program at the University of Sheffield and with study, work and family responsibilities, I have to admit that I had a hard time. To some extent, I thought I was caught up in things beyond my ability. Morning, like for a lot of people, starts for me with a cup of coffee and setting priorities. I have definitely written down each project separately, as wel as family affairs. I love pre-planning, scheduling issues according to hours, and if I follow the schedule well, I'm happy. I am actively involved in the learning process of children, To which the last hours of my day are devoted. This, in turn, alleviates the discomfort caused by the curfew, although I am always ready for unexpected changes, which is not uncommon. Our country is still full of unstable and unpredictable surprises.
As for the month and week I have traditional meetings with friends, it is especially important because meeting and interacting with them is vital for me, I had allocated days before the pandemic As for travelling, I’m looking forward for going back to my usual rhythm, I believe that this difficult period will end very soon and the world will be loud again.
Source : OK Magazine
