Timur has come a long way from a simple builder working in harsh conditions of 40-degree frost to a successful entrepreneur who founded his own company in the oil industry.
Timur was born on February 6, 1980, in Kara-Kul, located in the Jalal-Abad region. He graduated from Frunze School No. 3 and the college at Jalal-Abad State University with a degree in "Economics." From 2002 to 2003, Timur worked at the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Station.
According to him, those times were difficult: salaries were not enough to live on, and there was a lack of money. "I was young, everyone around was getting married and celebrating, while on payday we paid off debts and were left with no money. Many started leaving for Russia, including my friends. Some returned with cars, and this motivated me to try my luck abroad. So, on December 28, 2003, just before the New Year, I set off. While everyone was preparing for the holiday, I was getting ready to leave. After receiving just over 10,000 soms at the hydroelectric station, I went to Bishkek, but the money quickly ran out on housing and food.
I didn't know how to go further, but in one of the neighborhoods of Bishkek, I met fellow countrymen who were heading to Russia. Borrowing 5,000 soms from one of them, I headed to Khanty-Mansiysk. On January 2, we arrived at our destination, and I had only 2,000 soms left in my pocket. I had only a small bag with clothes. It was warm in Bishkek, but the cold in Khanty-Mansiysk was brutal — minus 40 degrees. I had never seen such cold. I found the address of acquaintances, knocked, and they, celebrating the New Year, were surprised to see me frozen: 'Where are you from?' they asked. I replied that I had come from Bishkek to work," he recalls.
Timur shares that his acquaintances worked in construction. "I used to work in the office of the hydroelectric station, in a suit and tie, and I didn't know such conditions. We lived in trailers at the construction site, the toilet was outside, and the frost was severe. It was very difficult. I tried to find a job in my specialty, visited many banks and institutions. I knew Russian well, but with a Kyrgyz passport, I was not accepted for work. In the end, I returned to construction again. At that time, many migrants in Russia faced deception: intermediaries profited from our labor, and we sometimes received 500 rubles, and sometimes nothing at all. After a year of hard work, I managed to send only 10,000 soms home. My mother said, 'Others buy cars in a year, and you only sent this.' I explained that we were being deceived. Many couldn't stand it and returned with nothing. Then I decided: I wouldn't leave until I achieved success. These hardships hardened me. I learned various types of work: from rough construction to euro-repair, laying tiles," he shares.
Kelgenbaev recalls how his colleagues suggested he communicate directly with clients, as his Russian was at a high level. "That's how we took on a large project. During the acceptance of work, I met an inspector, a Russian who grew up in Kazakhstan. He told me: 'You speak well, while someone is profiting from your labor. Open a company — I will help you.' I opened the company in a week. He started passing orders directly to me. In the first month, the net profit was 300,000 rubles, then 500,000. We bought equipment and vehicles — the business began to grow. I was only 25 years old. Previously, I lived on 10,000 rubles a month, and now hundreds of thousands started coming in. I bought a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, made many new friends, and began to travel, including trips to Thailand and other countries. The money went to my head. But there was a wise person nearby — an elderly Russian who worked for me as a driver. He said: 'This money can disappear as quickly as it came. Buy land and apartments.' I entrusted him with these matters. We started investing in real estate. Once, he suggested buying a cheap plot in an abandoned area. He predicted that this place would become an elite neighborhood called 'Tsarskoye Selo.' I built an office with a store there and now rent out the premises," Timur recounts.
Timur notes that later an auction system was introduced in construction. "Prices fell sharply, and it became unprofitable to work. I closed the company and started living off the income from real estate rentals. I was left without a job and began to go fishing more often, where I met locals connected to the oil sector. Learning that I was free, they offered me to try my hand in this field. Thus, I opened a new company in the oil industry. My task is to acquire plots, conduct research, and transfer them to oil companies. This is a completely different circle of people — simple, but very smart and far-sighted," he adds.
Timur is married to a Russian girl who respects Kyrgyz traditions, has learned to cook national dishes, and has won his mother's heart. The couple has three daughters. The older ones are engaged in tennis, have achieved success, and participate in international competitions, performing in Moscow and preparing for a trip to Dubai for the Asian League. "I travel a lot. I remember how I dreamed of seeing Egypt in school — my classmates laughed. But Egypt became my first big trip after opening the company. The dream came true. When I was leaving for Russia, my grandfather gave me two pieces of advice: 'Be honest, keep your word, and don't stray from your goal. Easy money leaves just as easily, while money earned later brings benefits.' These words became the foundation of my life path," he concludes.
