Olya La Served on a Plate
(*Olya graduated Supportive Community – WBDC's 2006-7 program.)
Olga Kules – a Russian kosher caterer and café owner
"Shalom. My name is Olya and like many others who immigrated to Israel from the former
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"I knew
I probably
wouldn’t find a
job that matched
my education
or skills but I had to make an immediate
and realistic
decision and find
a job that
would provide
for both my son and me”
|
Soviet Union during the 1990s, I came here together with my husband and child.
Our fresh start in Israel looked promising at the beginning – my husband had much success in his career and we had an apartment loan approved. With a master’s degree in Geophysics, I tried to find a job in my profession but discovered it was not as easy as I had thought it would be. Even so, I didn’t give up and began searching for other employment opportunities.
Before long, events took a turn for the worse. Unexpectedly, my husband fell ill and shortly afterwards, he died. At 37 years old, I became a widow -- alone with a child, with no job and piling debts. I knew I probably wouldn’t find a job that matched my education or skills but I had to make an immediate and realistic decision and find a job that would provide for both my son and me.
I have always loved cooking and knew I could make a profession out of it, which I did.
I started as a kitchen worker for the Shmil Catering Company in Jerusalem and within six years, I became the leading chef there. Working at Shmil was my university degree in the food business.
“Having reached the top there, I felt it was time for me to move on. I had the idea of starting my own café. I wanted to expand it, but needed additional resources, so I found a business partner and together we established the Olya La Bistro. I didn't have much business experience but my partner did, so we divided the work between us: I was responsible for the kitchen, staff and clients while he handled the banks and suppliers. Our work arrangement made it easy for him to deceive me. I discovered it too late after losing almost everything – he left me with all the problems and also with debts that I’m repaying to this very day.
“At my most difficult moment, I came to Supportive Community and joined a program for women entrepreneurs. It was the right solution at just the right time. I received the vital business knowledge and management tools that I lacked and desperately needed in order to resolve my financial problems and re-establish my business. Professional consultants provided me with individual business counseling and support, and I also received a loan.
“This process marked the beginning of an upturn in my business career. I opened a new café called Olya La which specializes in Russian kosher cuisine and now I’m in the process of expanding it and providing catering services as well. Today, Olya La is prospering. Amongst our regular customers are the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jerusalem municipality, and various other government ministries and departments. In addition, I provide catering services for weddings and other special events, mainly in Jerusalem and the surrounding area.
I also provide catering services for various Supportive Community events, such as the annual businesswomen's forum held last year with more than 200 participants.
My clients are very dear to me. I do my best to please them and give them the best service and the best quality of food.
I’m not going to stop here – I still have many more dreams. I want to start my own small food factory and manufacture prepared meals. Also, I would like to expand my café turning it into a chain located in office buildings throughout Jerusalem."
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