The Dream Factory of China

Source :Shenzhen Daily

Living and running businesses in Shekou since 2016, Roman Dogushev from Russia said he embraces the new Qianhai plan released Sept. 6 which included Shekou and parts of Bao’an to further deepen the reform and opening up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone.

“Before, Shekou was just a small place and far away from the other parts of the city. But now, it’s part of Qianhai, which is developing very well and growing fast. I feel amazing being in the middle of this growth because you see and experience all the changes firsthand,” Dogushev told Shenzhen Daily, adding that he believes Qianhai has a big and bright future with the release of the new plan.

After obtaining his law master’s degree at Queen Mary University of London, Dogushev went to Hong Kong in 2016 to take a job offer from an international educational company as a lawyer for their business development department, helping with legal issues, contracts and policies.

Six months later, after his Hong Kong employment contract finished, Dogushev landed a similar job in Shenzhen at a local educational company. Dogushev said it was love at first sight for the city and Shenzhen holds a special place in his heart. “I had never been to Asia before, and Shenzhen was the first mainland city I visited in China. Shenzhen is an international city with people from all over the world. It’s growing fast and it’s very innovative with so many IT giants and new technologies,” he said.

After four years working for a Shenzhen company, Dogushev and his partner co-founded an educational company in Shekou which provides other educational companies and schools with services like curriculum and content development, marketing solutions and sales consulting.

Aside from his quick and energetic brain, the 31-year-old entrepreneur has always exerted himself in sports, which was one of the reasons that he decided to open a wellness and social club earlier this year. His club is called Opps!, where Dogushev teaches Muay Thai, Thailand’s national sport.

According to Dogushev, Opps! is different from the usual gyms and fitness clubs in such a way that it intends to merge people’s sporting and social life together with the help of dancing, yoga and martial arts. “The name Opps! is a word people say every day and is easy to remember, so we want to form a very relaxing, welcoming and friendly community where people could meet friends, enjoy coffee and have fun together,” he said. “We not only encourage people to do sports here, but also encourage them to get together for competitions.

Dogushev told Shenzhen Daily that his job is also his hobby as he had been practicing different types of sports since childhood. He started to practice Karate and Judo at 4 years old, after which he played volleyball for eight years. At 20, Dogushev began learning and practicing Muay Thai. He is also keen on competing in marathons and Spartan races.

In his spare time, Dogushev offer services as a volunteer at the Nanshan International Cultural Exchange & Service Center (NSIC) in Nanshan District, mainly helping organize activities for kids at summer camps.

When talking about his future plan, the entrepreneur said he is going to stay in China and use his energy and enthusiasm to keep working and building up his businesses.