Considering a plan for your business might lead you to compare your successes to those of large corporations, leaving you to wonder how these organizations manage to achieve such huge feats. Ruslan Gafarov, CEO San Francisco Innovation Hub, an author and entrepreneur with more than 15 years experience, explored the success of these businesses by immersing himself in the atmosphere in which many of them were created– Silicon Valley. Not only did Ruslan study the methodology behind the management of these great businesses, but he also structured all of the most useful information he learned into his three books and created his own unique immersion program in Silicon Valley.
Ruslan, hello! Tell us: what kind of education did you receive, and how did it help you as you continued your professional development?
Thanks to my education, I learned how to study. I concurrently received two higher education degrees in law and economics, but neither of them helped me much. Indeed, I do not apply the knowledge I gained through these programs in my activities now, as an entrepreneur. However, when I worked as an employee, I found the information more valuable.
I would also like to note a main feature of education in America, at least at Stanford University and the University of Berkeley, where I received my education. Here, you choose the agenda, the disciplines you want to study. You are not attached to any particular group. You are taught to take initiative and choose the directions that interest you, to pump up your soft skills. In America, they treat you not just as a student, but as an adult, not forcing you to do anything. Since you have to choose what you like, you’re encouraged to socialize with other groups in order to obtain the necessary knowledge.
Your company, San Francisco Innovation Hub, has organized a special immersion program in Silicon Valley. Tell us about the program in more detail. How did you come to create it?
One day, I found out that the capitalization of Google exceeds the capitalization of some entire countries. I was driven to study where they know how to achieve such high results; that’s how I got to Silicon Valley. Having studied the local politics of doing business and managing employees, I realized how much the culture of Silicon Valley organizations differs from organizations in other states or countries. I had an irresistible desire to help other entrepreneurs seeking to develop and capture new markets! Our weekly immersion program is designed to get entrepreneurs acquainted with and integrated into Silicon Valley. Thanks to the immersion program, entrepreneurs grow aware of their main goals, and we, in turn, help them to formulate and implement tasks to achieve these goals through transformational experiences and exercises. Numerous events with the bearers of the valley’s cultural code, personal zoom meetings, learning management tools, familiarization with the methodology of Silicon Valley business processes, an individual approach, and much more awaits each participant of our program. Subsequently, entrepreneurs successfully implement the business models and techniques proposed during the course into their team.
Does the program focus only on teaching students the inner-workings of Silicon Valley, or are participants also taught to focus on and develop their own inner-lives?
Our program includes many different exercises aiming to develop both the business sphere and the personal sphere of an entrepreneur’s life. In order to build the most promising foundation, we spend the first few days of the program paying great attention to the attitude and inner-life of the participant. We need to understand how he looks at the world in general, and how he can benefit from looking at it differently. After all, Silicon Valley is very different from the places entrepreneurs come to us from– other states and even other countries. First of all, these people should open up to new experiences. Deep internal study is necessary for participants to hear and see what we will show them. It is for this purpose that we devote several days to internal transformation, as this is the only way our participants will be ready to receive all of the useful and interesting information the weekly program provides.
Do you ever follow the success of your students after the end of the program?
Yes, I can give some examples. A few successful entrepreneurs met at our program and subsequently joined to form a global corporation. Their company has become a leader among companies in Eastern Europe. Another striking example is a participant who passed the program five years ago. He’d only been to America once or twice, but, after the end of our program, he decided to move here and open a business. As a result, he and his startup became No. 1 in one of the US niches. There are many examples of partnerships where entrepreneurs unite to implement joint projects, form friendships, and travel together.
How can a beginner integrate into Silicon Valley and become part of the community?
I have five key tips for a beginner wishing to join the valley community.
First, a beginner needs to understand what he wants to find in Silicon Valley and what will be required of him. Second, he must analyze himself in order to determine what he can offer to those who will be useful for him. Without feedback, it will not be possible to achieve a fruitful result. Third, to find the right people, he must study these profiles in greater detail. And the final stage is to find those who can present what you have to offer to the right people.
An action plan is like a simple investment attraction tool. Initially, you understand what you are implementing and what investors you need. Then you find investors who are interested in your project and who will at least be interested in talking to you. The final stage involves looking for an intro to be properly introduced. It must be remembered that you don’t go to investors and simply ask them for money. First of all, you help them immerse themselves in what you are doing. The intro search occupies the last, but no less important place in this system. Your business will directly depend on your ability to pass this step. The most productive solution in an entrepreneur’s search will be our program– this is our path.
You mentioned that your immersion program is the most productive solution. How so?
Our program is the best way to find a set of people truly dedicated to your growth and success in the valley. Of course, you could try attending the many random, various events that are held in the valley, but it is difficult to discern which are truly helpful, and you may not be able to get started in the right direction. In order to save time and gain more fruitful connections, it is important to find a guide who will make sure that your attempts at growth are successful. The easiest and most effective way to achieve this is through our program. You must also commit to spending time living in the valley. After all, in order for a community to trust you, you must become a part of it. Spending at least a week here and taking the time to build relationships and a reputation will grant you access to an incredible community of entrepreneurs. Our program aims to find and unite creative, ambitious people to solve the global problems that humanity faces.
Do you view family values as important factors in your business activities?
Yes, it is very important for us to help each program participant develop comprehensively, including a deep consideration of their internal mood. Therefore, in our entrepreneurial community, work is not simply built around business, management, connections, and rich people. Rather, much of our business lives are grounded on ordinary human relationships, hobbies, and family values. Without these, true success is unattainable.
Ruslan, can you share your plans for the next 5 years?
We plan to develop our community, expand our geographic reach, and make our program accessible in other languages. With the help of our immersion program, we grant business owners more effective ways of managing their projects. We strive to let every entrepreneur from all over the world have such an opportunity. Our mission is to unite as many promising entrepreneurs as possible in order to solve the global problems that humanity faces.