Kasachischer Unternehmer erzählt die Geschichte des ersten Qazaq Coffee House in Amsterdam
ASTANA – The worldwide fascination for coffee culture has turned the industry into a trend. For over six months, Talgat Aubakirov, an entrepreneur from Kazakhstan, has been learning about the business characteristics of this fast-paced sector in the Netherlands. In an interview with the Astana Times, he talked about the opening of the first Kazakh company in Amsterdam – the Qazaq Coffee House. Aubakirov is a former financier with 10 years of experience. A year ago, he moved with his family from Almaty to the European city and founded his company from scratch in June last year. With the goal of combining national attributes with modern tendencies, he decided to promote Kazakh identity abroad. Talgat Aubakirov. The Qazaq Coffee House is located in the old part of Amsterdam, just a few blocks from Vondelpark, the city’s largest park, and has become a meeting place for locals and Kazakh compatriots in the eight months of its operation. The concept of the Qazaq Coffee House The entrepreneur and his wife had the idea of creating the Qazaq blend: they roast their own coffee by blending three varieties of coffee beans from different countries. „There are many market participants where you can buy ready-made coffee beans and sell them in a café. This is the easiest way. In our case, we wanted something unique and started mixing things up. My wife and I went to different places and tried a range of coffee varieties. Having a quality product is essential, and that was part of our concept. This way, we found the right balance,“ he said. „The coffee culture is developed here in the Netherlands. I can say that someone who lives in Amsterdam knows what good coffee is,“ added Aubakirov. On the coffee packs that Aubakirov sells to his customers, the inscription „inspired in Almaty and roasted in Amsterdam“ can be found. He buys coffee beans from Dutch coffee roasteries owned by his friends, whom he fortunately met upon his arrival. „This is my first business experience and the most convenient business option in the hospitality industry. I decided to start my entrepreneurship with a café,“ Aubakirov said. The café is open six days a week, except on Mondays. Photo credit: Aubakirov.
The young couple organized a cozy corner with national attributes so that customers could learn more about Kazakhstan while waiting for their order. A warm and inviting atmosphere reflects the mentality of the Kazakh population. Aubakirov noted that the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Netherlands, Askar Shumagaliyev, also visited the opening of the coffee house. „We have this hospitality that the locals here highly appreciate,“ he noted. Tea vs. Coffee Among all drinks, tea and dairy products have always been in high demand in the Central Asian country. The culture of drinking tea is not only an obligatory part of the daily ration but also a tradition that brings family members together for a shared pastime. In addition to coffee options, the Qazaq coffee menu also includes the Qazaq tea drink, a traditional black tea with milk and a special millet. „Some guests say Kazakhstan is a tea country rather than a coffee country. But our coffee industry is also developing rapidly. Today, everyone starts their morning with a cup of coffee,“ he said. As one of the countries with the highest tea consumption in the world, today the Kazakhs tend towards a work rhythm driven by rapid urbanization, a willingness to increase productivity, and a tendency to adopt foreign habits. „I am very proud to be Kazakh. In Turkish, the word means ‚a free person‘. The nomadic spirit speaks to our way of life. It also describes me and my path as an adventurer. We Kazakhs love to travel and discover the world,“ Aubakirov noted. When asked about the name of the coffee house, the entrepreneur said the idea came from a meeting with a business partner. „I was wearing a hoodie from the clothing brand Qazaq Republic. He asked me about the meaning of the word and suggested considering this name for a café,“ he said. Family and Business The coffeehouse is a family business, said Aubakirov, emphasizing the enormous support of his wife and children. The Qazaq Coffee House is located at Zeilstraat 45-H, 1075SC. Photo credit: Aubakirov. „I am a family man. The connection between family and business is obvious. We have many discussions at home about it,“ he noted. Aubakirov gave an example of one of these conversations with his children, who attend a local Dutch school. „When I didn’t have enough money for the equipment, I had to borrow it from my children – from their stash. When it was time to return it, they told me it wasn’t necessary. Instead, my children asked me to make them co-founders of the company and pay back the interest by the end of each year,“ he said. When Aubakirov’s son described the first year of his life in the Netherlands as part of a school assignment, he mentioned his father’s business on a wall newspaper. „My father has opened a café here. We go there every weekend,“ Aubakirov proudly quoted his child. Behind the Scenes Regarding investments, he said that opening a café in Europe costs an average of up to 100,000 euros (109,000 US dollars). „The business was founded with minimal investment from my personal savings and family funds without partners. Within six months, I realized that the chosen model was working. If we decide to expand, I will, of course, start looking for investors,“ he said. The young generation in Kazakhstan, which makes up the majority of the population, has great business ambitions. According to Aubakirov, there are two decisive elements for embarking on an entrepreneurial journey: intention and risk. „I can’t call myself a businessman, I am an aspiring entrepreneur and a dreamer with plans that he wants to turn into reality. Everything God gives depends on the right intentions. The second aspect is risk. Without risk, a person will not succeed,“ he said. The coffeehouse founder manages the operation on a daily basis. Kazakhs living abroad often ask Aubakirov if it’s worth doing business in the Netherlands. The details of the concept. Photo credit: Aubakirov. „Business should be part of life. Whether in the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, or any other country in the world, no one will ever answer that question. In my understanding, business is not just a place to make money, but also the idea to focus on,“ he said. The main factor for the sustainable development of the economy is the ability of entrepreneurship to adapt to changing market conditions. The Kazakh government continues to promote business activities in the country. In July last year, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kazakhstan increased by 23.4 % to nearly 2 million. „Opening a company in Kazakhstan is a 15-minute online process. There are many registered inactive companies in the country in this regard. Not all processes are digitized in the Netherlands. However, all business rules are very clear,“ he said. Aubakirov recalled the process of registering a company in Amsterdam and emphasized the effectiveness of business processes in the country. „When opening a company, the respective authorities conduct interviews. They request information such as business plans or photos and ask for confirmation of sufficient financial resources,“ he said. Aubakirov’s case continues to inspire and attract attention. A career change and the bold decision to embark on a business journey away from home fulfilled expectations. The Qazaq Coffee House awaits its guests at Zeilstraat 45-H, 1075SC, and is ready to offer its special Central Asian blend.
