Maya Kurbaytaeva was born in the Republic of Dagestan, in the Russian Federation, and moved with her family to live in Estonia when she was 5 years old, and since then Maya lives in both countries, after she graduated from "Pyatigorsk Linguistic State University" in Russia in 2008, Maya worked as a teacher For the English language between 2008-2014, but Maya saw in herself a tendency to work in the field of sales, so she decided to join the position of a sales officer in the "Kubachi Silver" store for silver in Dagestan in 2015, and in 2018 she decided to start her own business in the field of selling silverware, sculptures and business Handmade and souvenir products for foreign market, launched its project "Caucasus Craft Company".
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: After you worked in the field of teaching for six years, you moved to the field of sales, which are completely different fields. Can you describe your experience in the radical change of your career path?
My desire and interest in sales led me to change my career. It was very difficult and unusual.
I had to study a lot, attend various courses and get into the process. I wanted people all over the world to see all the beauty and originality of our products, and that the masters didn’t forget this skill and passed it on generation to generation.
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: You work through your project on exporting locally made handmade products, from silverware, woodwork and other handicrafts, to foreign markets. In your opinion, how can this type of project contribute to preserving peoples’ heritage?
Thanks to my project, an increasing number of craftsmen are involved in the process of making handmade silver products. There is a development of creativity of masters who pass on their skills to the younger generation.
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: Through your work you communicate with people from different cultures, languages and regions around the world, how would you describe this experience?
Because of the difference in cultures, we often have to communicate more, discuss details with clients. For example, Americans need specificity, punctuality, politeness. At the same time residents of Turkey tend to have communication, and only then get down to business.
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: Given your experience in the handcraft trade, what kind of products are most in demand?
Based on orders, people are most interested in silverware, gift cutlery with unique ornaments, tea and coffee sets.
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: we know that you are willing to discover enter new markets in the Arab World, what attracts you to these markets? what is special in this region, in your opinion?
The market of the Arab region attracts me with its potential and opportunities for business development, convenient tax, administrative policies and interesting positions for e-commerce.
But most importantly, I would like to bring a new product (trend) to this region.
To my mind, a special feature of the Arab world is the interesting and diverse culture that differs in each state of the Arab region. In addition, as a Muslim, I'm close to the religious and cultural features of life in the Arab World.
Swiss-Arab Entrepreneur Platform: How do you plan on growing your business?
My future plans are to expand the product geography and search for new business partners in different countries.
