Sergey Kavalenka, Blin Queen. CTOcast After Work. From IT to restaurant business in Amsterdam
Sasha Astapenka meets with Sergey Kavalenka, co-founder of Blin Queen, in the first episode of CTOcast After Work. The two discuss Sergey's career transition from IT consulting to the restaurant business. They explore the challenges and rewards of running your own business, including balancing creativity and routine. They delve into the story of how Blin Queen came to be, starting as a food truck and growing into a restaurant. The duo also shares their experience of starting a business and having a baby at the same time and provides advice for those considering a similar path. In the episode, they also touch upon the role of technology in the restaurant industry, including Blin Queen's platform for restaurant automation. The conversation also covers topics such as the future of the restaurant industry, building a career in the food industry, and the possibility of robots replacing humans. The episode ends with a discussion about exit strategies for start-ups and the education and background of the co-founder.
00:00 Introductions
02:09 From IT consulting to pancakes - downshifting or ...?
04:13 Running your own business. Creativity or routine?
07:37 Marriage and beginning of Blin Queen
10:35 From food truck to a restaurant
14:10 Starting a restaurant and having a baby at the same time
15:20 Advices not to start the business
17:10 Technology role in restaurant business
21:10 Blin Queen platform for restaurant automation
23:38 Future restaurant - will robots replace humans?
30:20 Why building a career in restaurant industry is a problem
31:31 Can delivery people replace waiters?
33:20 Hybrid job:barista and a software engineer
39:33 Technology for freedom and democracy in Belarus
44:54 What's an exit strategy for the restaurant start-up?
50:50 Have you started Blin Queen with your own money?
52:35 Is Blin Queen profitable?
54:40 What's Sergeys' education?
57:20 Consultants and why they said don't open the restaurant
1:02:20 Can restaurant owner afford a fancy car?
Every Tuesday, Sasha Astapenka sits down with a special guest at Blin Queen's cafe located at Amstel 102 in Amsterdam. The event begins at 18.30, giving you time to grab some food and drinks before the interview starts at 19.00. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to hear interesting conversations and insights from experts in the field.
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