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ASTANA – Global interest in coffee culture has turned the industry into a trend. Talgat Aubakirov, an entrepreneur from Kazakhstan, has been learning the business characteristics of this fast-paced sector in the Netherlands for more than six months. In an interview with Astana Times, he talked about how he opened Kazakh Coffee House, the first Kazakh company in Amsterdam.
Mr. Overkirov is a former financier with 10 years of expertise. He moved with his family from Almaty to the European city a year ago and launched the business from scratch last June. Setting the goal of combining national characteristics with modern trends, he decided to cultivate Kazakh identity abroad.
Talgat Aubakirov.
Located in Amsterdam’s Old Town, a few blocks from Vondelpark, the city’s largest park, Kazak Coffee House has been a haven for locals and Kazakh nationals for eight months.
Kazak coffee house concept
The entrepreneur and his spouse came up with the idea of producing a Kazak blend. They roast their own coffee by mixing his three types of coffee beans from different countries.
“There are many market participants who can buy ready-made coffee beans and sell them in coffee houses. This is the easiest way. In our case, we wanted something unique, so we started mixing different things. My wife and I have been to many different places and tried many coffee flavors. Providing a quality product is essential and that was part of our concept. The result , we found the right balance,” he said.
“Here in the Netherlands, we have a developing coffee culture. If you live in Amsterdam, you can say that you know what good coffee is,” added Overkilov.
The coffee packs Aubakirov sells to his customers carry the caption: “Inspired in Almaty, Roasted in Amsterdam.” He buys his coffee beans from a Dutch coffee roasting company owned by a friend he was lucky enough to meet upon arrival.
“This is my first business experience and the most convenient business option in Horeca.” [short for hotels, restaurants, and catering] industry. I decided to start my entrepreneurship from a coffee shop,” said Overkirov.
The coffee shop is open 6 days a week except Mondays. Photo credit: Obakirov.
The young couple has designed a cozy corner featuring national characteristics so that customers can learn more about Kazakhstan while waiting for their orders. The warm and welcoming atmosphere reflects the spirituality of the Kazakh people. Aubakirov noted that Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Askar Dzhumagaliev, also visited the opening of the coffee house.
“Locals love our hospitality,” he said.
tea and coffee
Among all beverages, tea and dairy products have been in great demand in the Central Asian country since ancient times. The culture of drinking tea is not only considered an essential part of the daily diet, but also a tradition for families to spend quality time together.
Apart from coffee options, Kazak Coffee Menu also offers Kazak Tea Drink, which is a traditional black tea with milk and special millet.
“Some guests say that Kazakhstan is not a coffee country, but a tea country. But our coffee industry is also developing rapidly. Now everyone starts their morning with a cup of coffee,” he says. I did.
As one of the world’s leading tea consumers, Kazakhs are currently drawn to a work rhythm driven by rapid urbanization, a drive for increased productivity, and a tendency to adopt foreign customs.
“I am very proud to be a Kazakh. In Turkic, this word means “free person.” The nomadic spirit speaks to our lifestyle. I will also explain about myself and my journey as an adventurer. We Kazakhs love to travel and discover the world,” said Overkirov.
When asked about the name of the coffee house, the entrepreneur said that the idea was born during a meeting with a business partner. “I was sitting there wearing a hoodie from a clothing brand called Kazak Republic. He asked me what the word meant and suggested I name the coffee shop after it.” he said.
family and business
Overkirov said the coffee house is a family business, highlighting the tremendous support he receives from his wife and children.
Qazaq Coffee shop is located at Zeilstraat 45-H, 1075SC. Photo credit: Obakirov.
“I’m a family-oriented person. The connection between family and business is obvious. We have a lot of conversations at home about it,” he said.
Mr. Overkilov gave an example of a discussion at home with children studying at a local Dutch school.
“When we didn’t have enough money to buy some equipment, we had to borrow it from our kids, from their stash. When it came time to return it, we were told we didn’t have to. .Instead, the children asked me to make them co-founders of the business and to repay the interest by the end of each year,” he said.
Aubakirov’s son mentioned his father’s business in a wall newspaper when describing his first year living in the Netherlands for a school assignment. “My father opened a coffee shop here. We go there every weekend,” Aubakirov proudly quoted his children.
behind the scenes
Regarding investment, he said it costs on average up to €100,000 (US$109,000) to open a coffee house in Europe.
“This business was launched without a partner and with minimal investment from my personal savings and family funds. Within 6 months, I could see that the model I had chosen was working “Once we decide to expand, we will of course start looking for investors,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s young generation, which makes up the majority of the population, has great business ambitions. According to Overkirov, there are two key ingredients to starting your entrepreneurial journey: intention and risk.
“I cannot call myself a businessman. I am an ambitious entrepreneur and a dreamer with plans that I want to realize. Everything that God gives depends on the right intentions. The second The side is risk. Without risk, a person cannot be successful, ”he said.
The coffee house founder runs the business himself every day. Kazakhs living abroad often ask Mr. Obakirov whether it is worth starting business activities in the Netherlands.
Concept details. Photo credit: Obakirov.
“Business should be a part of life. No one will answer this question, whether in the Netherlands or Kazakhstan or any country in the world. My understanding is that business is simply about money. “I see it as an initiative to focus on, not a place to earn money,” he said.
The main factor for the sustainable development of an economy is the ability of entrepreneurship to adapt to changing market conditions. The Kazakh government continues to promote business activities in the country. As of July last year, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan increased by 23.4% to about 2 million companies.
“Opening a business in Kazakhstan is completed online in 15 minutes. In this respect, there are a large number of registered and inactive companies in the country. As for the Netherlands, not all processes are digitalized. No, but the rules for business are all very clear,” he said.
Mr. Overkirov recalled the process of company registration in Amsterdam and emphasized the effectiveness of the country’s business processes.
“When setting up a company, the respective authorities conduct an interview. They ask for information such as a business plan and photos, and ask to confirm sufficient financial resources,” he said.
Mr. Obakirov’s case continues to inspire and attract attention. His bold decision to change his career and leave his hometown to start his business journey lived up to his expectations. Qazaq Coffee house located at Zeilstraat 45-H, 1075SC is waiting for you, ready to serve you with special Central Asian blends.
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