One of the richest people in Russia, an entrepreneur of Azerbaijani origin Araz Iskender Ogly Agalarov believes that intuition is the main thing in business. His empire is actually growing at an incredible rate and boggles the imagination of everyone. A few years ago, he built the first hypermarket in the Russian Federation, and its opening was a real event for Russians. And his other project - the Crocus CITY trade and exhibition complex, which is located in the immediate vicinity of Rublevskoye Highway and which periodically hosts Millionaire Fairs - brought the businessman the greatest fame.
Araz Iskenderovich Agalarov, biography: studies
A well-known Russian businessman was born in the capital of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1955 (November 8). His father was a respected person in Baku and raised his son in strictness. The boy from childhood studied for one five, was purposeful and inquisitive.
After graduating from school in 1972, he entered the BPI (Baku Polytechnic Institute) at the Faculty of Automation and Computer Engineering, graduating in 1977. In the same year, he got a job at the researchinstitute, and then joined the ranks of the CPSU and began working in the city committee of trade unions in Baku.
In 1983 he was sent to study at the Moscow Higher School of the All-Union Central Council of Trade Unions named after N. Shvernik. And after graduation, Araz, as one of the best graduates, was hired as a junior researcher. During the same period, he defended his Ph. D.
Starting a business career
In the late 80s, Araz Agalarov decided to start his own business, established ties with partners from the United States and founded the US-Soviet joint venture Crocus International, which was later renamed the Crocus Group. Today it includes the Crocus Expo trade and exhibition complex, the Crocus City Hall concert hall, three Vegas shopping and entertainment complexes, the Tvoy Dom hypermarket chain, Crocus Bank and Crocus Finance, residential complexes Agalarov Estate, several hotels, a yacht club and a number of restaurants serving Azerbaijani and international cuisines. Crocus Group also became the largest investor in the Myakinino Moscow metro station.
By the way, Araz Agalarov got involved in the construction business in 1997 and set about creating a famous not only in the capital, but also throughout the country and beyond its borders, an elite apartment complex of 34 floors - Agalarov House. One of the most prestigious districts of Moscow was chosen as a place for it - a site at the intersection of Bolshaya Gruzinskaya and Klimashkinskaya streets. And constructionstation "Myakinino" was dictated by the desire to increase the attractiveness of the complex "Crocus City". Later, this company became the general contractor for the grandiose construction of the Far Eastern Federal University in Primorsky Krai, on Russky Island, as well as a giant stadium in Vladivostok. Today, Araz Agalarov's fortune is estimated at about $2 billion. This means that he is among the richest people in Russia.
Success story
Today, Araz Agalarov is considered the founder of multi-profile shopping complexes in the Russian Federation. He also decided that they should not be located in the center, but in the nearest suburbs. The well-known businessman believes that the success of his projects lies in a systematic approach, and in order to increase the efficiency of one of the areas, it is necessary to develop related areas. This he proved with the example of his company. Despite the fact that the most successful of his projects are construction enterprises, nevertheless Araz Iskenderovich does not consider himself a builder or retailer. “I am a “conductor” who controls the activities of the entire “orchestra”, my goal is to make everything work out beautifully and efficiently,” the businessman says. In a word, work for him is not just a business, but a way of self-realization.
Awards
In 2009, Agalarov received the Order of OMRI (“For Services to the Italian Republic”) for his contribution to the development of economic relations between the Russian Federation and Italy. In 2013 for many years of work andpublic activities, he was awarded the Order of Honor and the Order of St. Daniel of Moscow (II degree). Was nominated for the 2011 Developer of the Year Award at CREA. He is also the recipient of The MICAM Awards and the Donald Trump DE Award. According to Kommersant Dengi, he was recognized as the first in the ranking of top Russian entrepreneurs.
Agalarov's principles
Further in the article, we present some of the statements of a well-known businessman that will help us understand his worldview, attitude to business and his position in life.
- “There are no authorities for me in business.”
- “To start building, you need to delve into all the details, otherwise you won’t build anything worthwhile. A construction manager who does not understand the nuances can become a victim of fraud overnight.”
- “Intuition is everything in business.”
- “Only those who are inactive and do not interact with anyone can avoid problems. Difficulties are the beginning of the process.”
- “Money for me is a tool, an opportunity to realize my ideas. They are needed in order to invest them.”
- “It is difficult for a person who lives in a busy rhythm to rest.”
- "I like to build a business on my own, because I don't want to imitate my partner and reckon with his opinion”.
- “In order to keep fit, I don’t follow any diet, but I always remember my grandmother’s advice to get up from the table a little hungry.”
- “The day you stop dreaming, life is over.”
Agalarov is the author of the books "A look at modern Russia in the period of reforms", "Russia: my reflections on the way to the market", etc.
Community activities
In 2002, A. Agalarov was elected vice-president of the Azerbaijan Congress in Russia. He is also the founder of the public non-profit organization "Muslim Magomayev Foundation".
Family
With his wife Irina A. Agalarov met in kindergarten, then studied with her at the same school. Children's love grew into a more serious relationship, and they got married in the last year of the institute, she - pedagogical, and he - polytechnic. They had known each other for so long that it was somehow unusual for him to hear the words of the head of the registry office during registration: “Irina Agalarov is the wife, Araz Agalarov is the husband!” Soon after her marriage, she and her children went to Moscow to visit her husband, who is engaged in scientific activities.
Later he began to build a business, and she taught English at school, and then got a job as a translator in one of the ministries. Later, Irina, as the wise wife of a major builder was supposed to, went into real estate, founded a clothing and jewelry store, several beauty salons and aesthetic centers, and then the DeNoVo fur brand.
The wife of Araz Agalarov, whose photo you see in the article, turned out to be not only smart and beautiful, but also very hardworking and purposeful, so all areas of her business began to flourish and increase her fortune. As a successful businesswoman,she is also a wonderful wife and mother of the family, and now a grandmother. The recipe for family well-being from Irina Agalarova is kindness and sincerity.
The son of Araz Iskanderovich, Emin Agalarov, is the vice president of the Crocus Group. He is also known for having a great voice and is known by many as a singer. There is another noteworthy point in his biography, which almost everyone knows about. Until recently, he was the son-in-law of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. However, this marriage was fragile and soon broke up. However, as a result, beautiful twins were born to Emin - Mikael and Ali.
Araz Agalarov's daughter Sheila is involved in the fashion industry. She lives with her mother in the US.
Interesting facts
A well-known businessman A. Agalarov prefers to wear watches exclusively by Patek Philippe, has a weakness for stylish business suits, which are sewn according to patterns created especially for him. His hobbies are boxing, tennis, swimming and football. "If there was an opportunity to go back and start life anew, then I would become a professional football player," the businessman jokes.
