In the first episode of our podcast, we talk to Alima Ismankulova, the founder of the Fresco ice cream brand. She will tell us why she left a prestigious career in the financial sector to create natural ice cream in Kyrgyzstan, how her business expanded to Kazakhstan, and what challenges the Fresco brand faced that led to its closure in December 2023. Alima will share her experience and lessons learned along the way. 00:00 Teaser 00:44 Welcome 01:19 What is Fresco? 01:30 Ice cream with any flavor 02:19 Ice cream with wasabi 03:53 Ice cream for the President 04:19 Putin gave an ice cream machine 05:32 How did the Fresco story begin? 06:33 Left the bank with a high salary 07:30 Ice cream - the taste of childhood 08:03 There was no gelato in Bishkek 09:48 Studying in Italy 11:02 Asked to borrow the initial capital 11:39 Top food truck 13:05 Bought a Ferrari in the ice cream industry 15:11 Who are the parents? 15:54 Working in a family business 16:26 At 6 am for milk 17:38 For six months they painted stripes 18:05 A very successful business model 18:23 Leven Park 18:53 "Dzerzhinka" is an iconic place 19:45 A product for adults 20:52 Dad will help 22:05 Business went to Kazakhstan 23:17 It's easier in Kazakhstan 23:40 They couldn't use fresco-mobiles 24:03 Fresco is no more 25:59 An iconic van 26:59 Why couldn't they sell the brand? 28:28 Fresco learned in Almaty 29:59 Product quality has dropped 30:15 Income per month - $ 50 thousand 30:34 Closed production in Kazakhstan 30:57 Ashamed of the quality of the product 32:34 Return to Kyrgyzstan 33:14 M-business 33:32 Advice to myself 34:59 Share expertise 36:07 What is quality ice cream? The main partners of the podcast: Mbank and Icon Group of Companies. Host and author of the podcast: Kemel Meken https://www.instagram.com/kemel_meken/ Podcast guest: Alima Ismankulova https://www.instagram.com/ismankulova/ Production: Antares Creative Group https://www.instagram.com/antares_group/ Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akchasana_podcast/