From Specialist to Business Owner: How Mentorship Helped Almira Take Her Business to the Next Level
Almira Sadvakasova (left).
When Almira Sadvakasova became co-founder of the outsourcing company AlNAt in Ust-Kamenogorsk, she already had strong expertise in accounting and tax compliance. The company helped entrepreneurs manage bookkeeping, file reports, restore accounting records, and navigate financial matters. However, growing the business required a new set of skills—not just technical expertise, but leadership and management capabilities as well.
One of the biggest challenges was building an effective team. Almira needed to establish processes, delegate responsibilities, improve internal communication, and learn to view the business through the lens of an owner rather than a service provider.
It was at this stage that two mentors, Anastasia Yurchenko and Svetlana Aleksandrova, entered her life. Through the program, they reached out to Almira themselves, and the connection became a major turning point in the company’s growth.
“It was important for me to learn how to think strategically, build a strong team, and understand how to make decisions that help a business grow in a systematic way.”
The mentorship quickly evolved beyond standard consultations. In addition to group sessions, they communicated regularly through one-on-one meetings and messaging apps. After each conversation, Almira walked away not only with new ideas but also with a clear action plan.
Svetlana Aleksandrova helped her strengthen the financial side of the business by analyzing revenues and expenses, digitizing processes, and improving contract and client management practices. Anastasia Yurchenko focused on developing Almira’s strategic thinking and helping her build a more effective team.
Together, they helped Almira view her business holistically - from day-to-day operations to long-term goals.
The results came quickly. Through the mentoring process, Almira was able to better structure the business by separating recurring services from one-time projects and creating a clearer management system for her team.
The company expanded significantly. More than five new employees joined the team, enabling AlNAt to broaden its service offerings and take on a larger volume of projects. One particularly important milestone was securing a major contract to restore a client’s accounting records.
But for Almira, the most important transformation was not financial.
“I started making decisions as a business owner. I gained clarity, a better understanding of the next steps, and confidence that my goals are achievable.”
Today, Almira is focused on the company’s continued growth. In the coming months, she plans to strengthen AlNAt’s position in Ust-Kamenogorsk, increase stable monthly revenue to 3 million tenge, and prepare to open a branch office in Astana.
For her, mentorship became much more than support—it became a tool for accelerated growth.
“The most important thing is not just listening to advice, but putting it into practice. Even small actions, carried out consistently, can lead to significant results over time.”
Almira’s story demonstrates that business growth begins when entrepreneurs learn not only to work in their business, but also on their business.
