Today we have a pleasure to meet our old friend and a long-term partner in UAE, Igor Sergeev. Igor is the owner of many successful International business projects. He has 10 years of experience in marketing, event management and media. He’s the founder of the Quality Standard holding, which owns such projects as Dubai People, Quality Standard Club and BigUAEgiveaway.
Igor Sergeev was the first businessman who introduced to the UAE market a completely new SMM strategy – an Instagram giveaway which allows your business to grow fast through smart Instagram marketing which involves only real people. It was the game changing move! Now there are a few giveaways on the market, but the BigUAEgiveaway was the first and still remains the most popular one.
How did you become an entrepreneur? Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I was born in a small town in Russia, however lived most of my life and opened the first business venture in Ukraine where we moved with my family when I was a kid. This year I’m celebrating 10 years of my active business involvement in Russia, Ukraine and UAE.
I opened my first company on event organization and PR when I was 18 y.o. only. That was a time when I realized I don’t want to work for anyone else and that I’m strong enough to built my own business. Yes, it’s very hard and challenging sometimes but I really enjoy it.
What is your main business now?
My main project is the BigUAEgiveaway, which is the FIRST and the only one official social media fest on Instagram in UAE. We have over 30 ambassador influencers and celebrities who promote this project, and we always happy to welcome new ones. We collaborate with more than 100 brands and services. This is a great platform that allows you to grow your business and personal brand in social media in the most interactive and ecological way.
I’m very happy I could introduce it to the UAE market so many people can win amazing prizes absolutely for free, and my clients get the most benefits for their business.
What about other projects?
Quality Standard is a marketing and event management group associated with an International club of successful businessman and entrepreneurs. It engages in the development of corporate and personal branding.
Dubai People is our new but rapidly growing platform. It is a brand new platform that aims to convene and foster strong, dynamic business relationships among the top personalities and influential figures in the field of business, management and leadership in UAE. In its first year, Dubai People invites 100 successful professionals in the UAE through the recommendation of its founders and current members. The project aims to seek the visionaries and strategists for the future of business, industry and professional ventures in the country.
As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives Igor Sergeev?
I think a lot of entrepreneurs will say the same. It is not about the money. I don’t know if it’s a lack of confidence or a surfeit of confidence but you always want to prove yourself, you’re never quite satisfied – and that might express itself in being very competitive. You just want to do your own thing and are prepared to take huge risks to do it.
What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Knowledge, contacts and experience. These things are priceless.
Most successful businesses evolve from knowledge of the industry that you’ve been working in before – and how successful you were in your previous career. You might not have an idea today – but get the most qualifications you can and work as hard as you can in your career – because that will help in the future. I’m told that in Silicon Valley, the average age of starting a business is 38 years old. They’ve done their time and they really know their stuff.
However with me it’s a bit different! I started my first business at a very early age and received all the good and bad experience running my own business with zero knowledge or experience. It’s very challenging but that’s who I am!
How do you generate new ideas?
I don’t think you generate them in a Eureka moment, it is more about being open to ideas and acting upon them. The world is full of ideas – everyone has got an idea at some time – but not everyone knows how to act upon them. Business schools can really help in that respect. I wouldn’t say I learnt which are good ideas – but I certainly learnt which are definitely not.
What are your future plans?
To develop Dubai People project and of course the BigUAEgiveaway. There are many new ambassadors coming and we are preparing a few surprises. Also I’m constantly developing the Igor Sergeev personal brand.
As a person I’m always in a process of self-evolution. For example, in the near future I’m planning to learn big tennis and horse riding.
