We often write down stories of people from different parts of Kazakhstan and record events that reflect our reality. But this time we are talking to a Kazakh who lives abroad, in the USA. The topics of conversation are migration, business, diaspora, Islam, trials. Our hero today is Askhat Soltanov, the founder of Happy Cake. Now he lives in Sugarland (where else?) in Texas and opened his business in Houston. It all started with Askhat’s wife, who was a great cake baker. While on maternity leave, she started an Instagram account and started selling her products. Askhat, working in companies during the day, delivered orders in the evenings. Gradually, the business began to bring in income. When “Happy Cake” started earning 2 million tenge a month, Askhat quit his job, where his salary was 500 thousand. The first point was opened at the airport. We discuss how he opened his outlet in Houston: how he looked for a place, racked his brains, adapting to American realities, and what difficulties arose in the process. It is interesting why the project could not be implemented in Austin. Askhat shares his experience, telling step by step how he launched a cafe: from negotiations with the landlord to the first sales. It was not without difficulties. Askhat recalls the case when cleaners stole money and started a fire in his apartment. He views this episode through the prism of his faith. Askhat is a Muslim, and Islam helps him survive such moments. In the podcast, we also talked about the life of the Kazakh diaspora in the United States: how our other compatriots live, what challenges they face. Askhat shared his experience and inspiration, emphasizing why it is important to try yourself abroad. Separately, in the podcast, we note the Japanese culture, where everything is arranged at the highest level: everyday life, business, relationships between people. Askhat is convinced that migration opens up new opportunities and expands horizons. Business abroad is not only financial success, but also a way to develop, grow as a person and see the world from a broader perspective. Askhat's story is an inspiration for those who are ready to change their lives and are not afraid of difficulties. Issue partner - Home Credit Bank. More about the refinancing service: https://home.kz/loans/refinansirovani... 0:00 - Start 1:41 - Say hello. Our guest is the founder of the Happy Cake confectionery chain, Askhat Soltanov 3:55 - Happy Cake opened in the USA 5:18 - Business migration of Kazakhstanis to the USA 13:25 - How to succeed in America? 16:34 - How to discover the entrepreneur in you? 20:49 - Why was Happy Cake opened in the USA? 24:07 - "The Kazakh diaspora in America is the weakest" 26:41 - Is emigration a brain drain? 31:07 - What difficulties did Askhat face during the move? 37:42 - Step-by-step instructions on how to open a business in the USA 46:05 - How much time and money did it take to open? 47:49 - The difference between building a business in Kazakhstan and in America 51:13 - Has America become home? 52:38 - How did the Happy Cake franchise start? 1:04:23 - Yerzhan's impressions of Japan 1:08:33 - Cake in the studio! 1:09:59 - How Askhat's house was robbed and set on fire 1:23:23 - What is important to you now? 1:26:49 - The value of community and identity in the Kazakh diaspora 1:37:34 - The importance of diaspora 1:40:42 - How to grow a small family business into a big business? 1:47:30 - The Role of Religion in Business 1:50:13 - Kana's Attitude to Islam 1:53:50 - "All My Ancestors Are Buried in Mecca" 1:54:50 - The Distance Between Religious and Non-Religious People 2:01:05 - The Right to Bear Arms 2:08:48 - The Death of a Newborn Child 2:16:35 - Married Life and Business Search for Askhat here: / askhat.soltanov INSTAGRAM #3амандас: / zamandas.pod TikTok 3амандас: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSekPpmwa/ search for Kana here: / beisekeyev search for Yerzhan here: / aldabergenov11 _____________________________________________ If you liked the podcast and want to share it on social networks, and for this you need posters or teasers... Then you can here download: https://t.me/kanskirazpizdai For cooperation issues write to [email protected]