ANDRII VAKULENKO
Entrepreneur / Founder of the chain of bakeries “Taki Pirogy” / Business leader / Innovator in the HoReCa sector
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE SINCE 2004: FROM CONSTRUCTION TO OWN BRAND
My career began in 2004 with work in design and construction, the industries my parents worked in. Their example of entrepreneurship and perseverance was an important reference point for me. However, over time, I decided to move to a new field, where I could implement my accumulated management experience and desire to develop something of my own. In 2014, I founded the chain of bakeries “Taki Pirogy”, putting the quality of products and responsibility to our customers and society first.
RELIABILITY AS THE BASIS OF BUSINESS
A business focused on stability:
My goal has always been to build a business that is built on solid foundations, regardless of external circumstances. Despite the pandemic and then the full-scale war that brought great challenges, “Taki Pirogy” continues to operate, supporting our customers and providing stability in changing times. All this has been possible thanks to hard work, dedication of the team and focus on the quality of each product.
Community support and social mission:
With the onset of the full-scale invasion, we have realized that business can be not only an economic unit, but also a part of social support. My team and I are doing everything we can to ensure that our activities contribute to well-being where it is needed, especially in difficult times.
INNOVATION AND OPTIMIZATION
Innovations to improve service:
I have always believed in the power of innovation and improvement. Having invested over $150k in automation, I developed my own CRM system for HoReCa, which allows us to provide reliable and personalized service. This solution has become an essential tool for effective team work and maintaining customer satisfaction.
Building a strong team:
The secret to the success of my business is people. I create conditions for the development of each employee who can share my values and desire for quality. The “Taki Pirogy” team is made up of reliable, experienced professionals, thanks to whom we maintain service standards at the highest level.
MAIN AREAS AND SPECIALIZATION
- Expanding the range, quality and entering the B2B market: We are constantly improving the range of products to satisfy the diverse tastes of both individual clients and corporate partners. We pay special attention to the quality of each product, which allows us to steadily expand our presence in the B2B segment. Today, we actively cooperate with cafes, restaurants, as well as companies that need a reliable supplier for their events and activities, developing strong partnerships.
- Recognition at the national level: My team’s work and dedication were recognized with the following awards: “UBA Business of the Year” in 2022 and 2023, “Company of the Year 2023”, “Quality Mark Ukraine 2023” and “Choice of the Country 2024”. These awards confirm the trust of our clients and the correctness of the chosen path.
- Social responsibility: My company works with local producers, collaborates with charitable organizations, and is always ready to join initiatives that contribute to the stability and well-being of society.
EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES
I received my higher education at the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Kyiv National Economic University. This gave me a solid foundation for business management and the development of strategic thinking. In addition, I am actively engaged in scientific research. My articles have been published in the journals Economic Synergy and Economics, Education and Law. I am currently working on a new publication that examines approaches to assessing business development in the context of global threats and opportunities emerging with the intellectualization of the economy.
SIGNIFICANT PROJECT
Development of a CRM system for HoReCa:
I created my own CRM system that helps optimize order management, customer communication, and all service processes. This solution has become an important part of Taki Pirogy’s operations, increasing efficiency and strengthening customer relationships.
PROSPECTS AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
My goal is to make “Taki Pirogi” a brand that the whole country will be proud of. The plans include expanding the network, entering new markets, and developing new products to meet customer expectations and set high quality standards. I believe that in difficult times, business should support society, so I am working to make my business an example for other entrepreneurs.
I am Andrii Vakulenko, an entrepreneur for whom innovation, responsibility and social mission are the basis of work. My task is to create not only quality products, but also support society through each of our products. In a constantly changing world, my goal is to be someone people can count on.
