People who create corporations, international trade networks, and open new horizons in traditional industries have always attracted and will continue to attract attention. Their organizational genius, skill, and business acumen inspire admiration, provoke envy, and leave no one indifferent. Thanks to their drive for profit, growth, and expansion, cities develop, and life becomes more comfortable. One such person is Sergey Tereshkin, the founder of the fuel company Oil Resource Group LLC. In a conversation with him, we learned what it took to reach such heights.

At what age did the idea of starting a business first come to you? At the age of 19, you launched your first venture. That means the foundations must have been laid earlier. Tell us about that.

Honestly, I've always lived with the thought of starting a business, for as long as I can remember. It manifested during my school years: I collected and sold scrap metal. My teacher was amazed when I wrote in a fifth-grade essay that I wanted to be a "speculator." I frequently visited the market and remembered the word "speculation": buy cheap, sell high. So, I became a speculator while still in school. I spent the money on books. I've always been interested in knowledge. I also loved and still love organizing people. At 10, I gathered my friends, and we built a soccer field in our yard.

How did you change after the crisis when you sold your first business?

I became more cautious. When something like that happens, especially for the first time, it's terrifying. It's as if the ground is pulled out from under you. After the shock wore off, I began thinking on a larger scale and focusing on major projects. I also noticed that I now approach business and all financial matters with maximum precision. If a project is planned without funding or solely on an idea, then goodbye—I'm not interested.

Before the crisis, I planned short-term projects. Afterward, I started thinking long-term. I created a detailed step-by-step plan for 10 years. In general, having such a long-term plan helps you understand what you want from life, how you want to live, and which ideas to bring to life.

What motivated you, pushed you forward, and kept you from giving up?

Initially, it was the need for money—a rather prosaic motive. Then I realized I wanted to build a global company like Glencore. That idea motivated me from then on. I started working for the long term, earning money, and educating myself. That’s how Oil Resource was born.

What did you give up for success?

I love sports and used to dedicate a lot of time to it. I had to cut back on that significantly.

Have you ever had to compromise your principles in your professional life? What principles and rules were those?

Of course, I have. When the company started growing, it happened. I realized that a leader must be different—not the way I had envisioned all this time. So, I overcame myself and delegated some responsibilities to my partner to share the psychological burden. I began delegating decision-making on certain issues. I structured our work correctly, which is why no one sues us. If we have claims, but our contractors don’t, we always try to resolve the issue amicably. Also, we don’t poach employees from other companies. It’s tempting, but we refrain because we value our reputation and good relationships with other companies.

You’ve achieved a lot in your profession. Have success and money changed you? If so, what kind of person have you become?

I changed drastically during the directors' training program at Skolkovo. At the time, I was still recovering from the loss of my business. The education had a significant impact on me and changed me. I began valuing time, conserving it, and avoiding wasting it on trivialities. If there’s a question, it should be answered directly. If there’s a task, it must be solved efficiently and quickly.

What was the most challenging part of your journey to success, and how did you overcome it?

Success, as I envision it, hasn’t been fully achieved yet. We’re still striving for it. The hardest part is not stopping—even when it hurts, when it’s scary, or when you feel like giving up. Getting up and overcoming difficulties has become routine.

Do you have a mission?

I’m very interested in brain development. That’s why I invest in projects studying its potential and ways to enhance it. Yes, I’m the founder of a fuel company, but I believe that a developed brain is a trump card—it’s what you should bet on. My mission is to bring value to this world by supporting brain development projects.

In a few words, what’s your attitude toward life, family, business, money, and people?

Family is the most important thing. Everything I do is for my family. I work actively so I can eventually stop working directly and focus on my family. That’s why I invest. Business is creativity. I want to structure it in such a way that it operates beautifully without my involvement. I believe that the future lies with people. Humans are the main resource; they will always be here, and the future depends on them. Brains will remain in demand. People will become more skilled, so investing in their development is essential—which is what I do.

What helps you live?

Belief in myself—that I can do anything. In any field, I can achieve results.