Having lost all property and business in Donetsk region due to the war, Volnovakha entrepreneur Oleksandr Akhunzianov opened a successful restaurant in the USA. The man told Volnovakha.City why he refused "European slavery," how he registered a company in America in 15 minutes, and what advice he gives to fellow countrymen planning to start a new life overseas.
USA Instead of Europe: Why the Entrepreneur Chose America
Having a disability after being in Russian captivity, Oleksandr had the right to leave Ukraine during the war under a simplified refugee program.
"I first went to Europe to see what democracy is like there, what free people are like there. It turned out they are slaves," Oleksandr shares his personal opinion.
He was particularly struck by the European education and employment system.
"There they teach you from school to be narrow specialists. While our accountant can do everything, there they say: if you studied to be a payroll accountant, you will always work as a payroll accountant. And to start a business, you need to study for at least three years," the man explains.
The experienced entrepreneur didn't want to spend years on education, so he decided to try his luck in the USA.
First Steps in America — From Documents to First Job
Arriving in the USA in May 2024, Oleksandr immediately faced challenges. "Everything is different here: Fahrenheit instead of Celsius, pounds instead of kilograms, square outlets instead of round ones," he smiles.
The first thing he bought was a car. "In the USA, without a car, you're nobody," says Oleksandr.
Then he arranged his documents: driver's license, ID card, and social security card. He got a job as a medical transport driver.
"I would wake up at 3:30 in the morning and work until 11 in the evening. I drove people, assembled furniture, delivered food. The American dream is not just coming and enjoying yourself. If you don't work, you're poor," the entrepreneur emphasizes.
Business Purchase: From Idea to Implementation
Oleksandr saved a budget and began looking for an established business. He found a small restaurant "Pita+" with a 35-year history.
"This business is as old as mine was in Dokuchaievsk. A German guy 35 years ago collected equipment in Israel and brought it to the USA," Oleksandr explains.
Registering the business took 15 minutes online. After a week, the federal number arrived, and later — the local one. The USA operates two taxation systems: federal and local.
In America, credit history determines almost everything.
"If you break the rules, your credit rating drops. Then you pay more for everything: from insurance to loan interest," the entrepreneur explains.
Oleksandr built his credit history gradually — from a $500 Discovery card to a $2500 Capital One.
Artificial Intelligence Instead of an Accountant
"Artificial intelligence helps me in my work — it now performs the roles of accountant, translator, marketer, and analyst," says Oleksandr.
With ChatGPT, he keeps records, analyzes the market, and creates reports.
"When I go to the warehouse, I photograph goods and invoices. Artificial intelligence immediately prepares documents," the entrepreneur explains.
A Ukrainian's Day in America
Oleksandr's workday begins at 3:30 in the morning. First, he goes to his first job as a driver — delivering equipment or transporting people, then at 8:00 he opens the restaurant. He works until 18:00, then goes to English courses.
Restaurant Menu: From Falafel to Ukrainian Salo
At "Pita+", Oleksandr prepares Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine.
"We make the best falafel in St. Louis," he prides himself.
There are many clients — Indians, Israelis, Palestinians, Americans who love healthy food.
In parallel, Oleksandr prepares Ukrainian dishes on order: dumplings, cutlets, salo, etc.
"I make Ukrainian salo with skin, singe it, vacuum it with garlic and herbs," the cook explains.
The entrepreneur shared a touching story: "An American with Ukrainian roots cried after tasting my borsch. His grandmother from Odesa came to America in 1917, and he remembered her borsch. Now he's our regular customer and brings his family."
Oleksandr with his regular guestФото: Волноваха.City
Plans for the Future
"Now I'll put the restaurant in order, and then develop catering and Ukrainian cuisine," Oleksandr shares his plans. He is also considering cooperation with an Uzbek cook.
In six months, the entrepreneur wants to completely renovate the premises, open delivery service, and create a website.
"If everything goes successfully, I'll open several locations," he dreams.
Advice for Those Who Want to Start Their Own Business in the USA
Oleksandr shared his "checklist" for opening a business in America:
- Make a decision about relocating
- Earn initial capital
- Arrange all documents
- Get a job
- Build credit history
- Buy an established business or open a new one
"The most important thing is to work non-stop. Diligence is valued here," the entrepreneur concludes.
"Pita+" Instead of "Elite+"
Interestingly, the name of the new restaurant reminds Oleksandr of his native Dokuchaievsk, where many years ago he founded and developed the "Elite+" enterprise.
"Elite+ in Dokuchaievsk, Pita+ in St. Louis..." he smiles.
At first, it seemed like an irony of fate to him, but now the man believes in symbolism.
"I started with shawarma in '93 and returned to it. Only now it's not shawarma, but gyros in pita," says the entrepreneur.
Oleksandr is currently applying for a "talent visa" to permanently establish himself in the USA. And although his past remains in the temporarily occupied Dokuchaievsk and Volnovakha, and his future is being built daily in St. Louis, the man still hopes to someday return home and restore the life that Russian aggression took from him.
This material was published with the support of the Association "Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine" and Amediastiftelsen as part of the Regional Media Support Hub project. The views of the authors do not necessarily coincide with the official position of the partners.
