Today we’d like to introduce you to Oleg Shlyakhter.
Oleg, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started in 2011 when I was living in China and doing consulting business. I accidentally met my friend Artem Siniakov on the street of Beijing (he was visiting at that time for business). We went for a dinner and realized that both of us big fans of hookah.
We decided to create a product that doesn’t look like any other. It took us a couple of months to create design, find factory and negotiate terms to order first 50 pieces. One more month after we got our first batch (mo packaging, no marketing materials) and shipped it to Russia to sell. It was sold with a week. We understood that demand is high and we need to prepare for big games. We ordered our first container (as well no packaging or anything, did a little of marketing) and sold this container in two weeks. Meanwhile, we started to make packaging and creating marketing strategies as well as plans. 3rd shipment was with nice packaging and great marketing plan and we hit market really good.
Sales took off. After selling products in Russia and CIS countries, we decided to expand and I (Oleg Shlyakhter) went to USA, Miami to expand. Here we met a lot of challenges starting new business but we had strong beliefs and made it possible. Without knowing a single person, we started company, established relationships and shipped first container to USA. Market was really happy to see something new, professionally packed and great customer service. After selling only for two months, we were published (unofficially) in Rolling Stones magazine, where Drake was smoking out of our hookah. It made great impact on sales.
Then we decided to participate in Tobacco Plus Expo in January 2014. It was really nice to show the US market that hookah can be done differently. Everyone was impressed. At that time, we got on board our 3rd partner Kirill Gluschenko. They spent a month with me in USA and we visited a lot of lounges and realized that none of them are nice, so we decided to build our own. Guys left back to Russia to continue business there, I started to look for location. Couple months later, we found the perfect location for the lounge in East Village San Diego (border with well known Gaslamp District). We set up budget and signed the lease.
We found a designer and architect and started the work after plans were submitted to the City for construction and quotas received from contractors we realized that our budget is not enough and we need to do something. It was really hard time, we decided not to take project from our designer (it wasn’t practical for hospitality at all) and moved forward with our own, creating ideas on the go. Eight months after lease was signed, we ended up construction (was tired, out of money, loans, etc.) we opened the doors to public. Everyone was pleased and impressed with what we created and the customer service we provide.
Meanwhile, business in Russia continued to grow. Two years later, we opened our first lounge called Hookah Box in Russia that became huge success as well. Then we opened another Hookah Box in Russia as well. Two years ago, we created lounge called Tangiers that became a franchise project. Right now, we have seven our own lounges in Russia, more to come and eight franchise lounges and more to come. We keep growing rapidly, providing the best possible experience to our guests. Right now, the main focus is lounges and the distribution of hookah products.
Has it been a smooth road?
It was a lot of struggles on the way but we overcome it with hard team work.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with ART HOOKAH – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We full vertical integration in hookah industry, manufacturing, distribution, lounges. We are proud in providing the best service and best experiences.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Absolutely love San Diego for the vibe and people who live here. What do I like least – after 10 pm you can’t go eat nice food 🙂
Pricing:
- Hookah $25
- Softs drinks/tea/smoothies – $3-$12
- food – $7-$15
Contact Info:
- Address: 923 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
- Website: https://artloungesandiego.com
- Phone: 6195598855
- Email: info@arthookahlounge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artlounge_sandiego/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artloungesd/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/art-hookah-lounge-san-diego-2
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