It is the typical story of a young boy, full of dreams, energetic and passionate about work ... Of a man who had projected the future early, not only on paper, but also in reality by investing every day of his life for strengthen the "foundations" of a brand new business in Albania at that time! It has always been difficult to start a business, especially in a country like ours, especially for a man who has grown up and lived for many years away from Albania. But, none of these details became an obstacle for Rigers Rusi to start their venture together with his sister Valbona Begolli, which today is known as "Albpastrim"!
In this "our new normalcy" due to the Covid-19 pandemic since March has "knelt" the whole world, but also our country, their business let's say that has not recognized any violation of financial character or investment. Because cleaning, disinfection in this time of pandemic for individuals and businesses is one of the daily requirements and emergency needs that many apply for personal care and hygiene, but in institutions or enterprises, this is conditioned by the protocol set by the government. Albanian.
"Albpastrim" today is just a subsidiary of the large company "Albgroup" that has known only expansion and success over the years. Added to it is the profile of "Albacademy" and "Albsolution", where everything you need for cleaning is found, from the highest quality cleaning products, to qualified staff, to responsibility, commitment, to taking professional professional lectures typical of a school. truly to perfect your knowledge and insights!
And behind all this success story, stands Rigers Russia and his sister, Valbona! We were curious about the profile of this young professional, who has set up an "empire" of cleaning, hygiene, quality products and raw materials, qualified staff, dedicated service, everything in line with customer requirements and 100% compliance their expectations. From schooling in Greece, to the decision to start a business in Albania, the expansion of entrepreneurial branches, his passion for work, family, the golden balance between business and personal passions, Riger Rusi comes to this interesting profile for "Class"!
Rigers, first let’s find out something more about you. Your profile, studies, inclusion in Albpastrim?
I have lived in Greece for a long time, I grew up there, as I left Albania when I was very young. The study profile has been in Civil Engineering, I have even worked for a considerable period in the field of management in a construction company but also in a cleaning company. Many think that to start a business you have to start from the capital. Realistically not everything starts from capital. During the time I was working I wanted to have more commitments. My sister Valbona Begolli and I decided to start a business, but in Albania, in the services sector (since we also had knowledge) and it was not easy. We had to look at the market, how things worked in Albania, since we had been away for a long time, which means everything had to start from scratch.
How have career ladders been for you?
We started in the services sector, we encountered difficulties, because we needed everything to start from scratch, (I did the service work myself from the beginning until the moment it was set up properly) we had to look first at how things worked in Albania, but the greatest difficulty was to create the service different from what was offered in the market. To bring new brands in cleaning services and product. If you will not have a clear idea to develop your idea to the end with real commitment you will not have a success story for you either. Everyone else comes next, you engage yourself. Our focus over the years has been employee, to motivate employees, to train them.
Initially, you were an employee of Albpastrim, then became one of the partners of this company that has now expanded even more, being known as AlbGroup, where is the cleaning company, where its branches are also AlbSolution and AlbAcademy . How do you manage all these business profiles?
The first company Albpastrim, established in 2011, included in addition to services the sale of cleaning products and materials as well as training in the field of hotel-tourism. Seeing that the business was expanding in all three areas as well as the interest in training in the field of hotel-tourism we thought it would be better to operate each separately. Already, each operates separately Albpastrim-services / Albsolution-sales and recently Albacademy, which has started its activity in short-term professional training of staff as well as training, courses and consultancy in the Hotel-Tourism sector. We are constantly investing in staff training and development, providing state-of-the-art materials and machinery, making this group deliver even better results.
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What is different about Albpastrim? Why should companies or individuals trust your company?
Cleaning services are always in line with our standards to ensure the highest possible quality. We focus our resources on maintaining cleaning standards by moving towards expansion and growth. Retaining our existing customers, excellence in providing our services has brought us their encouragement and referrals for new and potential customers through quality service and affordable prices. Reliability in the quality of service, as well as pre- and post-service consultations have led us to be entrusted with contracts with many companies for the realization of cleaning and maintenance of indoor and outdoor facilities, cleaning the facade and other cleaning needs.
Service, quality products, safety, what other standards underlie your work and operation?
The services are performed by an extensive staff who have the relevant training on cleaning methods, technical files of solutions and machinery. We can truly say that standards, safety and quality represent us, not only for cleaning, but also for products which in addition to quality reduce cost and time for all industries. We are constantly looking for new contractors in Albania and abroad, with whom we can cooperate. By investing and securing resources for these contractors to be true to our standards.
Rigers, you are a young, energetic guy, with a lot of passion for work. Do you think you are a good CEO or a perfect manager?
There should be a framework linking the solutions to each different type of problem and allowing the team to utilize these solutions to better resolve the issues. I think this is the art of management and execution is simpler if this connection is realized.
Tell us a little more about yourself, about passions, in your free time what do you do?
In addition to business, normally it is also free time, during which I can do sports, I like to attend various trainings and I always try to find time, as I want to always be coherent with the latest changes or innovations. I can mention the passion I have for photography, as well as for reading. I have built my Instagram page in such a way as to be motivating and with career tips based on my everyday situations, with sayings that are created by myself.
You have a family, children, a few more details about them ... How do you ration the time between work, business and family? Do you think that you have found the golden balance?
It may seem difficult, but I really want to emphasize that the family has a very important role in addition to business in personal life and I try to create the right balance between them.
Surely in this "new normalcy" we are living because of Coronavirus, has your business also been affected or has it flourished more? Because cleanliness, disinfection are actually the key words of the Covid-19 war?
Normally this pandemic has affected everyone, I can not exclude myself, but I want to add something: The cleaning industry will no longer be the same, but better. It may sound strange, but people have already seen the great importance and space that cleaning occupies in our daily lives and how important it is for health. For this period I would say follow reliable sources and pay attention to hygiene for your health.
Have you made a plan for attendance?
As for Albpastrim, normally we will invest more to meet even more customer expectations, including more new technology and programs. Also, I want to emphasize that the three businesses are quite interconnected as a whole. Recently, Direct Booker is being launched in Albgroup, an application which deals with property management and tracking as a process and advertising on sales channels AirBnB, eExpedia, Booking, etc. for all hotels, inns, Guest House or those who rent apartments, an application that we can manage or rent.
A suggestion of yours for all the young people who want to start a business, to develop as entrepreneurs and become successful people ... What has been your recipe for success so far?
"If you do not challenge yourself, you will never find out who you can become"! I stick to this expression and I think it would be a good recipe to take an initiative. The best career or job is in which you are using the skills you have.But not every job should address all your passions.Every job you have gained experience use as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind.In a moment you can realize that you really have skills in something you have never imagined for yourself.I have personally followed and mentors who have really inspired me, and it would be a piece of advice from me to anyone who wants to get an initiative.We all started from scratch, that is, from something.I can tell you you have to do what you really want.
You can find all the companies on Instagram, FB, Linkedln as well as on the website:
www.albgroup.al
