Business in Oil: The Story of the Founder of the Oil Company Oilresurs
People who create corporations, international trade networks, and open new fields in traditional industries have always attracted and will continue to attract attention. Their organizational genius, skill, and business acumen inspire admiration, anger, and leave no one indifferent. Thanks to their drive for profit, development, and expansion, cities grow, and life becomes more comfortable. One of these individuals is Sergey Tereshkin, the founder of the fuel company LLC "Oil Resource Group." In a conversation with him, we learned what it took to achieve such heights.

Sergey Ivanovich Tereshkin
Founder of the fuel company LLC Oil Resource Group

– At what age did you first think about starting a business? You organized your first business at 19. So, there must have been some early signs. Tell us about that.

– Honestly, I’ve always lived with the idea of organizing a business, as far back as I can remember. It showed in my school years: I collected and sold scrap metal. My teacher was amazed when, in 5th grade, I wrote in an essay that I wanted to be a speculator. I often went to the market, and the word "speculation" stuck with me: buy cheap — sell expensive. So, I became a speculator while still in school. I spent the money on books. I was always interested in knowledge. I also loved and still love organizing people. At 10, I organized my friends, and together 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 that happens, especially for the first time, it’s really scary. It’s like the ground slips from under your feet. So, when the shock passed, I started thinking more big picture and thinking about large projects. I noticed that now I approach both business and all money-related matters much more concretely. If a project is planned without money or just based on an idea, then goodbye. Not for me.

Before the crisis, I planned short-term projects. Afterward, I started thinking long-term. I created a detailed 10-year step-by-step plan. In fact, a long-term plan helps you understand what you want from life, how you want to live, and what ideas you want to implement. What motivated you, pushed you forward, and kept you from giving up? Initially, the need for money drove me forward. Yes, a very prosaic motive. Then I realized that I wanted to build a global company like Glencore. After that, it was the idea itself that motivated me. I started working for the future, earning money, and learning. That's how OilResurs was born. What did you give up for the sake of success? I really love sports and did a lot of it. I had to spend less time on it.

– Did you ever have to go against your principles in your professional life? What were these principles and rules?
– Of course, I had to. When the company started growing, it happened. I realized that a leader must be different: not the way I had imagined all this time. So, I had to step over myself and delegate part of the tasks to a partner to share the psychological burden. I began to delegate some decision-making. I structured the work correctly, which is why no one is suing us. If we have claims but the counterparty doesn’t, we always try to resolve the issue civilly. By the way, we don’t poach employees from other companies. We really want to, but we hold back because we value our reputation and good relations with other companies.

– You’ve achieved a lot in your profession. Has success and money changed you? If so, what kind of person have you become?
– I changed drastically when I took part in the director's practicum at Skolkovo. I hadn’t yet recovered from the loss of my business, and the course had a big impact on me, it changed me. I started to value time, protect it, and not waste it on trivial matters. If there's a question, you need to answer it substantively. If there’s a task, it needs to be solved effectively and quickly. What has been the most difficult part of your journey to success? How did you overcome these difficulties? Success, in the form I see it, has not yet been reached. We are still striving for it. The hardest part is not stopping. Even when it hurts, when you're scared, when you want to quit. You have to get up and overcome difficulties as they come. Do you have a mission? I’m very interested in brain development. That’s why I invest in projects that study its potential and how to develop it. Yes, I am the founder of a fuel company. And I believe that a developed brain is a trump card, something you should bet on. My mission is to bring benefit to this world by supporting projects focused on brain development.

– In a few words, what’s your attitude toward life, family, business, money, and people?
– Family is the most important. Everything I do is for my family. I work actively so that I can stop doing direct work and focus on my family. That’s why I invest. Business is creativity. I want to make it work without my involvement and do so beautifully. I believe that people hold the future. Humans are the main resource. They will always be there, and the future is theirs. Minds will remain in demand. People will become more qualified. So, you have to invest in developing people, and that’s what I do. What helps you live? What helps me live is belief in myself, in the fact that I can do anything. In any field, I can achieve results.

In addition to managing the fuel company, Sergey’s development focus includes investments, trading, and other passive income methods. He shares his investment experience, opinions on global business and investment events on his website sergeytereshkin.ru.


Translated using ChatGPT