"I play the guitar and do tufting," — Ivan Vaganienko on his lifestyle

Ivan Vaganienko, city — Bishkek, entrepreneur, @navi_invest

About myself

I was born in Kara-Balta and currently live in Bishkek. I am an entrepreneur, with my main areas of focus being FinTech and EdTech. Over the course of my career, I have launched six successful companies and actively contribute to the social development of Kyrgyzstan by creating job opportunities for young people. I advocate for the idea that the brightest minds should remain in the country and contribute to the continuous development of all economic sectors, not just IT.

I strive to maintain strict discipline and time management to be more productive and set an example for my colleagues and partners. My schedule is as follows: Monday through Friday is a regular workweek; Saturday is a lighter day dedicated to lectures for students on design or programming at my school, as well as completing tasks that were not finished during the week. On Sundays, I prefer not to touch my laptop or phone, dedicating the time to personal matters.

How and where I learn

I learn every day and follow the rule of spending at least 30 minutes reading books. Currently, I am rereading Philip Kotler's "Principles of Marketing" and noting down key ideas. If I need to quickly master a new topic, I review additional videos.

I learn from time-tested experts, especially those with global recognition, such as Philip Kotler in marketing and Isadore Sharp in management. When reading books, I highlight key ideas to apply them in projects and when consulting partners. Among professionals in Kyrgyzstan, I recommend Azis Abakirov, my business mentor who inspired me at the beginning of my career, and Daniyar Amanaliev for his precise and practical approach, without unnecessary fluff. I conduct programming masterclasses and business webinars, but I no longer attend them myself.

Network

My network is formed through joint projects; that is, people with whom it is impossible to work filter themselves out. I am always ready and open to new partnerships and acquaintances. Typically, my circle consists of positively minded people who strive to create. As the saying goes, the right person comes when they are truly needed.

From my circle of acquaintances, one can highlight entrepreneurs, heads of various company departments, athletes, activists, and representatives of government structures. The circle of acquaintances is broad.

I do not often attend events, but when I do, it is quite successful. Usually, I manage to make 10–15 useful contacts, some of whom present prospects for joint partnerships or service provision. Mostly, I choose events related to IT, finance, and HR, as it is easier to find common interests for collaboration in these areas.

You can find like-minded people anywhere; the main thing is the desire and understanding of why you need them. I recommend seeking contacts offline by attending various events and building relationships. There are also Telegram groups where you can identify active participants, understand their point of view, and send a greeting message. In 80% of cases, you will receive a response.

Where I spend my free time

In my free time, I try to organize my thoughts and distract myself from work. A walk in the fresh air and breathing control help with this. If I have enough time, I open a book and immerse myself in reading, trying to make the most of my time. But sometimes I just relax and watch a couple of episodes of a series, for example, "Silicon Valley."

Additionally, I have a hobby—I play the guitar and engage in tufting, creating small rugs.

Where to buy what

I cannot single out specific brands; for me, the main thing is that the technology works without lag. I have an Android phone and a MacBook Pro from 2019—this is quite enough. As for websites or stores, I do not buy things often. Sometimes I use Wildberries or Ozon to buy various small items for the interior or toys for cats.