Russia through Italian eyes: 20 years of life, love and big business (VIDEO)
Why is Russia the land of opportunity for a European entrepreneur? Restaurateur Giulio Zompi reflects on 20 years of building a business from scratch, proving that with enough perseverance, the "unknown" can become the perfect place to call home.
Giulio Zompi was born in Verona, a city with a rich history and strong family traditions. In the early 2000s, he made a bold decision that changed his whole life: to come to Russia without connections or serious capital. He came only with faith in himself.
The first steps in business were not at all “Dolce Vita”: he participated a small food fair in some basement under Moscow. It was there that Giulio began to introduce Russians to real fresh products from Italy that are incredibly tasty and made with soul. Gradually, a community of people who appreciated quality, tradition, and his sincere approach formed around him.
Today, our hero, whom many people know as Don Julio, is a successful entrepreneur and restaurateur. He opened a pastry shop in the center of Moscow, a cafeteria, as well as an Italian restaurant. For more than 20 years of living in Russia, he has not only built a successful business, but also imbued himself with the local culture so much that he considers Moscow his second home.
Giulio is sure that it is easier for an entrepreneur to realize himself in Russia than in Europe. There is more room for growth, solutions and bold ideas. His story is a story about risk and perseverance, about taste and culture, about a man who once took a step into the unknown and found his place. This interview is about the courage to start from scratch, about respect for traditions and about Russia through the eyes of an Italian who stayed here for a long time.
