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| Immigrant entrepreneur: | Dr. Vladimir Vasilenko |
| Company: | Global Warming Solutions, Inc. |
| Place of birth: | Russia |
| Employees: | 4 |
| Age started business: | 43 |
Show notes
Doctor Vasilenko is a very special guest on my show. He immigrated from Russia to Canada and had a very pleasant immigration process. In fact it took him less than 4 months for all the immigration to be completed and finalized.
He founded Global Warming Solutions out of survival and needed to get the renewable and energy efficient products out there. He took his company public shortly after creating his company and there is a reason for that!
Doctor Vasilenko creates innovation where none has been made before!
Quotes by Doctor Vasilenko
Most part of my work, I did it by myself. Trial and errors everywhere.
I still survived, I am looking forward to the positive changes of my business in the near future.
It takes a lot of perseverance and beliefs to continue a business like mine.
Every business has a great deal of risk.
The proper connection with people is important.
If I wouldn’t have connected with certain people my business would not survive.
Listen to the proper advice.
Would people buy your technology/product or not?
Think over 7 times before starting a business.
It’s so important to find a good business partner.
It’s still a risky process, to make a business successful.
Where to find Dr. Vasilenko
Global Warming Solutions, Inc | LinkedIn
[read more] Alina Warrick (1s):
Welcome to the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Podcast episode 38.
Vladimir Vasilenko (5s):
That time, that was a relatively tragical story happened in my life. My father passed away when I was 16 years old and … It was the grades at school and he had sickness and he passed away. And actually, I would say my struggle began at that time.
Alina Warrick (30s):
My name is Alina Warrick and today we have Doctor Vladimir Vasilenko on the show. He’s a very special guest on the show because he immigrated from Russia to Canada. So today we’ll get to hear another point of view of what it’s like to immigrate to our neighboring country. Doctor Vasilenko is a scientist who founded Global Warming Solutions, inventing the most genius renewable and energy efficient products. Some of the products include a special light that preserves food with higher efficiency rates and lower cost.
Alina Warrick (1m 12s):
He’s also part of the invention of a battery that’s used for small electric vehicles, making Tesla a competitor. His company is public, and he provides some invaluable advice to all Immigrant Entrepreneurs. So let’s dive right in. Vladimir, thank you so much for joining the Immigrant Entrepreneurs podcast. I am super excited to hear all about your journey and specifically because you immigrated to Canada. So very special guest on our show today. So welcome to the show.
Vladimir Vasilenko (1m 49s):
Thank you very much, Alina. It’s a great pleasure for me to share my immigration story, my experience, everything.
Alina Warrick (1m 55s):
Tell us where you’re from? And when did you come to Canada?
Vladimir Vasilenko (1m 59s):
Originally, I’m from Russia. I was born in the oldest Russian city, Veliky Novgorod, in 1963. I grew up in this historical city and then I moved to Leningrad, Saint Petersburg, finished my graduation to get my master degree diploma at the Department of Biology and Soil Science and in 1987, I got my Master Degree and then I will continue my education in Moscow, Moscow Lomonosov State University and also Institute of Plant Physiology of Russian Academy of Science in 1992, I’ve got my PhD degree.
Vladimir Vasilenko (2m 45s):
And for about eight years, I have been working at a General Physics Institute of Russian Academy of Science Department of Biology.
Alina Warrick (2m 54s):
What did you study in school?
Vladimir Vasilenko (2m 56s):
Biology. Basically, this is my, the ground, especially Plant Biology. I’ve got a PhD in Plant Physiology. This is a specific area of Plant Biology. So, in 1998, I left Russia. I immigrated to Canada because there was a very special immigration program being offered by Canadian government to hire specialists including scientists, so I fit perfectly into this program and I got a document for settling in Canada, with all my family. I brought all my family and in 1998, I moved to Canada and actually I’ve got easily my first position at the University of Guelph, Ontario and worked for four years to continue my research, my studies in Plant Biology.
Vladimir Vasilenko (3m 55s):
So this is basically the beginning of the story.
Alina Warrick (3m 59s):
So you basically came to Canada because you were continuing your PhD research program, right?
Vladimir Vasilenko (4m 7s):
It was after I defended PhD in Moscow Lomonosov State University and actually I defended my PhD in 1992, and immigrated to Canada in ’98. And there was a period of time, approximately six years when I actively try, at least trying to do a lot of research at Russian Academy of Science. Working at the General Physics Institute but unfortunately the time was very, very difficult, for almost every scientist in Russia. I traveled a lot in this period with various countries like England, France, Germany, the United States.
Vladimir Vasilenko (4m 48s):
And finally, I decided to move to Canada because it was my strong belief that working in a country like Canada would allow me to continue my research and development and also provides a better environment, a better living, not just for me, but for all my family. This is why I decided to immigrate to Canada in 1998.
Alina Warrick (5m 12s):
And how old were you in 1998 when you immigrated?
Vladimir Vasilenko (5m 15s):
I was 44 years old. So how we could understand, I was already a grown up man with lots of experience and it was a serious transition change of my life, the immigration.
Alina Warrick (5m 30s):
So why did you say that it was difficult for researchers back when you were studying on the PhD program? Was it only difficult in Russia?
Vladimir Vasilenko (5m 40s):
Yes, because this time, I believe , most of us, understand what was going on in Russia, in the ’90s. For instance, I didn’t get a salary for a few months. My life, my family lived there in quite miserable conditions. And of course, I did not have any grants, any financial support for my research in Russia that time.
Alina Warrick (6m 4s):
So what was it like growing up in Russia?
Vladimir Vasilenko (6m 6s):
First of all, I was thinking, experience working in Russian Academy of Science, especially on the supervision of Nobel prize, third academician. Alexander Prokhorov. I believe it gave me a lot for my scientific experience. It helped me learn a lot to conduct research and did some initial discoveries in the area I was most interested in, Plant Physiology and other areas of Biology.
Alina Warrick (6m 41s):
Did you know always that you were going to become a scientist? Was it prominent for everyone from your town that everyone wanted to go and eventually went to a university and sought a higher education?
Vladimir Vasilenko (6m 58s):
Yes. Good question. I have chosen my specialty. I would say my interest, Biology, was born when I was 12 years old, I was just in secondary school, studying Biology. A young boy. And since that time, I wanted to continue my study in Biology and I was dreaming about getting education at a University, especially the Leningrad Saint Petersburg University, because it was relatively close to my native city and my very first connections, my very first experience with scientists of Leningrad University, when I was just, again, a young boy, 12, 13, 14 years old.
Vladimir Vasilenko (7m 51s):
I’m dreaming and finally my dream came true. I graduated from Saint Petersburg University and continued. So this was just my interests, my deep interest to the Science, and especially Biology.
Alina Warrick (8m 5s):
Okay. Got it. So growing up in Russia all your siblings went to school? Where your parents full time workers?
Vladimir Vasilenko (8m 15s):
Yes, I am an only child, so I don’t have any brothers and sisters. Only cousins. And that time there was a relatively tragical story happened in my life. My father passed away when I was 16 years old. When it happened, it was the 10th grade at school and he had sickness and he passed away. And actually, I would say my struggle begun at that time, but I learned a lot, actually. Always negative and positive happening the same time. So it helped me to promote my strengths and my interest to continue education.
Alina Warrick (8m 59s):
So did you grow up in the communist era?
Vladimir Vasilenko (9m 1s):
Yes, because it was in the ’70s. I finished high school at 1918 and graduated at the university, Saint Petersburg University in ’87, then most ’92. So it was that I would say last decades of the Communist era in Russia, that time it was Soviet Union. And they passed through all experience of certain broken down the Soviet system, the Soviet union. You know, quite the experience in my life growing up and then changing to free enterprise.
Vladimir Vasilenko (9m 43s):
You know,
Alina Warrick (9m 48s):
So what was that like growing up in the communist era and then you saw it be broken down and then the transition, what was that experience like?
Vladimir Vasilenko (9m 57s):
It was quite a difficult time, quite a hard experience because in the beginning, when I start doing my research, especially PhD thesis, and then after I got this thesis, and I was continue to do my own research. And at that time it was, I did not the struggle for how to get funds for instance, for my research. That time it was much easier to communicate with the scientists because everyone wanted to share their ideas. It was kind of an enthusiastic time. And then I thought everything is gone.
Vladimir Vasilenko (10m 40s):
Everything has to be think over again, to change the behavior, my personal understanding and all of the situation. And, first of all, how I can adapt to new conditions. It was quite a shock, an experience with lots of pain, lots of negative experience of a strong moral pressure of many, many unpleasant. I would say unpleasant events, difficult, dramatic events of the society. This is actually, it was the struggle. And I decided, no, it would not be good for my family to continue living this way. I have to find something else, at least, or otherwise I will not have no choice, but just to leave science and go to the any other area.
Vladimir Vasilenko (11m 29s):
I don’t know, trade, commercial or whatever that time was absolutely unprepared. So I decided to move in order to keep going in my, in the direction of development of my scientific skills doing research, et cetera.
Alina Warrick (11m 45s):
So you mentioned that your family was living in Moscow in miserable conditions. Why did you say that?
Vladimir Vasilenko (11m 52s):
Well, first of all, there was no financial support or not sufficient financial support from the Russian government to the Academy of Science. Many scientists get a miserable salary or for a period of time, I did not get a salary at all. Because I know there was the current financial crisis, difficulties of a team of ’90s transition from the Communist era to a free market economy. That was very painful for intelligent people, for many teachers, scientists, engineers, and people who alike. Also poor living conditions, especially my oldest son, was born that time in 1996.
Vladimir Vasilenko (12m 39s):
My wife didn’t get the chance to find a job. So many things that actually was quite difficult, not only for me, for almost everybody.
Alina Warrick (12m 52s):
Got it. Okay. So when you immigrated to Canada, did you know English?
Vladimir Vasilenko (12m 57s):
Yes, I did. First of all, it was absolutely necessary for every scientist, reading scientific magazines, journal, present their papers, to the international conference. So this is what’s absolutely necessary for most every scientist to know at least basic English. And also I traveled a lot abroad. I visit countries like England, France, Germany, but still we are communicating in English, so it was absolutely a must to know.
Alina Warrick (13m 26s):
Got it. So did you have any struggles when you first immigrated to Canada? I’m sure it was a culture shock for one, but let’s talk a little bit about the struggles that you or your family had to go through when you first immigrated to Canada?
Vladimir Vasilenko (13m 41s):
Surprisingly, there was absolutely no shock for me when I came to Canada. Absolutely no. And there was a reason for this. Before I get used to the western society, western countries, because I spent more than a year traveling abroad and I got used to the society and even, you know, different language, different culture, I would say even more. I always feel more comfortable in Western countries compared to my motherland. Despite that I do love my motherland Russia, but still I feel, for instance, I feel very comfortable in many European countries, even the United States and Canada.
Vladimir Vasilenko (14m 28s):
And since I came to Canada, I brought my family, I found a job very easy because of my previous connections and including, like for instance, connections with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, because I visited Kennedy Space Center Cape Canaveral, Florida in 1994. First time I’ve been invited to go. That time, I worked, had been working at the Russian Academy of Science. So it was a very special privilege for me to give a seminar at Kennedy Space Center, NASA. So they connected me to the University of Guelph, Canada. So it was absolutely no difficult to find a job or position at the Canadian University.
Vladimir Vasilenko (15m 13s):
So there was absolutely no shock. Of course, I still needed some other patience, some getting used to the new conditions of the society but this society is quite comfortable for me from the very beginning, from my very first steps on Canadian land, was absolutely comfortable.
Alina Warrick (15m 34s):
Wow. That’s amazing to hear. Not a lot of immigrants go through an amazing process when they first immigrated to another country. So that’s fabulous, that’s amazing. So what about the immigration process? I know America has struggles with the immigration process and sometimes it takes 10 years to get all the way through the process. Is it, I’m assuming that it’s a lot easier in Canada to get immigrated fully and have everything established. Is that normal?
Vladimir Vasilenko (16m 6s):
It’s a really good point. This is why, unfortunately I’m not in the United States. I’m living in Canada. I would say when I said, unfortunately. From first step, it was for me, it was just an amazing experience when I came to Canadian embassy in Moscow and fill out immigration papers before and present them. They said Canada needs people like you, especially the higher educated, experienced person, because just Canada has opened the door widely for specialists who could bring new technologies, new idea on Canadian land.
Vladimir Vasilenko (16m 46s):
So I had been given that documents in three and a half months. I got all the paper to become a permanent resident of Canada.
Alina Warrick (16m 57s):
Did you say three and a half months?
Vladimir Vasilenko (16m 59s):
Yeah. Yeah, approximately, so I applied for my documents in like, late October and in February, beginning of March of next year, ’98, I’ve got all papers for a few of us at that time. Me and my wife and my oldest son, very quickly.
Alina Warrick (17m 15s):
Wow. That’s amazing. Yeah. I hear a lot of stories where people actually moved from other countries to the United States and they unfortunately don’t have a choice, but to move to Canada and Canada opens them with open doors. So it’s good to hear that Canada is an amazing process to go through with the immigration process. And I really hope that United States could be really catch up to that as well. Vladimir, before you tell our listeners about your company, tell me a little bit more about the path that you took and did you try to go into any other fields before starting your business? So what I’m hearing is you came, you immigrated and you worked at the job for four years initially, but what happened after that?
Vladimir Vasilenko (18m 4s):
Yeah, this would be a second part of my story of immigration to Canada. Before I said about, everything was positive, was a blue sky above me , no wind, no hurricane, but unfortunately it did not last very long. I’m lucky that I got my position very quickly. But after a period of time, I realized that my technology, my idea, my research did not fit properly to them, policy of the University of Guelph. My plants did not meet the support of their biological department, or the, dealt with a couple of professors who were my supervisors.
Vladimir Vasilenko (18m 51s):
But unfortunately for a number of reasons, they did not support all my plans to continue my research and development as scientist. Because first of all, not all funds available for my specific project that I was surprised, because I did believe that my project would bring a lot of new interesting, discoveries, ideas, but unfortunately, money, money. And again, my proposal did not fit in to the system. So my proposal have been rejected and I started looking for a job with another position.
Vladimir Vasilenko (19m 36s):
And luckily I found another position for a small, very small company. And the business was related to Organic Technology for Agriculture. And I will thrilled in the very beginning, I became a senior scientific officer of the company. But unfortunately after three years, the management, the CEO of the company made a critical mistake in the business and business failed. Of course, the company was bought and sold, filed a bankruptcy, I ended up without a job.
Vladimir Vasilenko (20m 19s):
Yeah, it happened in 2005. So about 15 years ago. I moved to another part of Canada, actually still in the same province, Ontario province of Canada, but I moved. Now I live close to, actually close to Quebec near the border of the United States, but it’s a small place. And I was wondering what I’d do next. I tried hard to find another job in Canada, because I did not want to move too far away from them, my location, especially with my second son, my youngest son was born that time and it was very difficult to move with small children, to find a position.
Vladimir Vasilenko (21m 11s):
So that time I was unlucky and somebody told me Vladimir, it would be good for you to find the job in the United States. because in Canada, you will face difficulties in finding a position or a position that I wanted in Canada. I applied many times and I failed. That’s interesting, in the applications I sent, I got back a reply with an information that unfortunately I can not fit into this position because I’m overqualified, overqualified for a position I applied four.
Vladimir Vasilenko (21m 54s):
So this is why I have been asking why not the United States because having the citizenship of Canada it’s not difficult to move, but I decided not to do it. There were many reasons for this. So I decided to go to start my own business, because there was a reason for this. I had enough experience, especially in the area of organic agriculture to help local farmers, local growers to grow their product organically. With the reduction of usage of chemicals applying my lights, and I would say, not so big a deal for me to live in Canada because we were living in a Global Society and I could easily get connected with the companies abroad, United States, European countries, Asia, whatever, because of the internet communication.
Vladimir Vasilenko (22m 52s):
So I start with my consultant business, small, I registered as a self employed, self entrepreneur. And I started my business right out of my bedroom. It was just computer, it was, you know, doing the consult. It was not so bad because I’ve been in touch with several companies in various countries. I also, it gave me a chance to visit abroad, for instance, when I got connected with one organic company, they’re going to make an organic product for growers in New Zealand and this, that region, I’m still connected with them.
Vladimir Vasilenko (23m 39s):
I’ve traveled twice to New Zealand, also Australia, then Japan, European countries like Spain, Italy, Netherlands. Also I’ve been in touch with several companies and it helped me to stay alive financially, you know, to support my family for a period of time. And then, but it was still difficult. And then 2006, I connected, actually, not me, but I’ve been connected through one friend of mine who lived in Moscow. He connected me with one Immigrant who lived in the United States.
Vladimir Vasilenko (24m 22s):
And he offered me an interesting idea an interesting proposal. To start a business with the name Global Warming Solution, because that time it was quite a very hot topic, it’s still a hot topic. The problem of global warming, or still quite an area that many, many people are concern with, climate changing, various problems related to the climate change. I said, okay. And then he helped me to register a company, interest in the United States, because that time he says we can bring in investors, well, if it will be an American company, not a Canadian company and we will bring this company to the stock market so we can sell shares of the company and raise capital for the business.
Vladimir Vasilenko (25m 15s):
I said, okay, this was an excellent idea. So I get started with this fellow in 2006, we registered the company. He provides me some initial capital because he believed in my idea, that my idea would be a very great asset for the company, to start, to raise the initial capital. So the company he registered in the stock market. And, it was a very good start in 2006 to 2007, with my connections with the businesses, but unfortunately the financial crisis came in late 2007, 2008.
Alina Warrick (25m 58s):
So you registered your global warming solutions and you went public at the same time.
Vladimir Vasilenko (26m 5s):
Right. And this case, my fellow, my contact, helped me to do a lot because without his help, I wasn’t able to do it, of course, because he was an American citizen and that connection before and experience how to bring the company to the stock market and start raising capital through selling the shares.
Alina Warrick (26m 26s):
Got it. Okay. So your main source of raising capital was through the stock market selling shares.
Vladimir Vasilenko (26m 32s):
Yeah. Right. When that time it was economically a very good time until the financial crisis happened.
Alina Warrick (26m 40s):
Okay. And so then what happened? What did you pivot and change your direction to raise more capital in another way?
Vladimir Vasilenko (26m 47s):
Yeah, I had thought out the situation, so actually I returned to my consultancy service in organic agriculture because I realized this is the only way for me to get some money for the company and for my, especially for my salary, because we are unable to sell any shares anymore in this situation, and we did not get an investor for Global Warming Solutions. So I just changed the profile of the actually adopted a strategy of the business to go in with consultancy service. But at the same time, I continued some of my projects.
Vladimir Vasilenko (27m 29s):
Like there was one interesting project that I started developing longtime before, even when I lived in Russia, for application of new lighting system with a unique spectrum. There’s LED, light-emitting diode, lighting system for growing plants indoor and for increase in shelf life of fresh bread use and perishable, for product perishable food. I did some testing, at that time, I built, I got in touch with Dutch company in the Netherlands. With their small business, I started to do some tests and I’ve got the grant from the government of the Netherlands for initial development of new lighting system, for growing plants indoors, for increase shelf life.
Vladimir Vasilenko (28m 22s):
And the uniqueness of this lighting system. It was because that was just not an ordinary light that helps plants grow. But this light also helps kill micro or pathogenic microorganism, spoilage microbes that spoil food, for instance. So two positive effects in one product, one lighting system, but it helps plants grow better, to save energy because that’s unique spectrum that simulates the sunlight, sunlight spectrum.
Vladimir Vasilenko (29m 2s):
And at the same time, it helps food fresh produce, like fruit and vegetables, to stay longer to increase their longevity. Because this light kills pathogenic and microorganisms. And also of course, the food becomes safer, safer for consumption, safe for humans, because for instance, such pathogenic microorganism like E. coIi, that can be harmful for people. This microorganism can be killed with this lighting system? So it was a period of time starting in 2009, 10, 11 when I switched my activity to this research and development project.
Vladimir Vasilenko (29m 47s):
Still connected with the Global Warming Solutions. But that time we were unable to sell, because it was still the stage of research and development, and it took much longer than I expected before because first of all, the lack of fund, it was a period for me, still struggling for survival because I get funds from various sources, for instance, I said that government of Netherlands, but it was only a temporary fund. I’ve got positive results. I shared my information with this company. They start using this data, but unfortunately I did not get paid and not get substantiality reward for this business, from my discoveries.
Vladimir Vasilenko (30m 36s):
However, it allowed me to apply for the patent, international patent and national patents. Patent of Canada, United States, and with the European patent applications that was in 2010, 2011, 12, several patent applications. I continued to do this work and building that strong foundation from my company Global Warming Solutions because before I did not have strong foundation, I did not have patent, I did not have anything tangible to offer to the market. And during the period between 2010 and 2014, I achieved quite a lot with the help of various people.
Vladimir Vasilenko (31m 25s):
Of course, not just myself and finally I’ve got several patents, some of them granted patents, like for instance, American patent for my discovery, also Canadian and other parts in supplication. So now, I do have a much stronger foundation, stronger background for my current business Global Warming Solution to be successful in the market. My partner, his name is Artem, also brought with his idea, his patent, and we got together and started building a new development for our company, getting radio for new jump with the business and also bringing it back for the stock exchange market.
Vladimir Vasilenko (32m 14s):
And recently, stocks went up, just an example, in early 2020, the stock cost less than 1 cent per share. Now it’s around $2 per share containing the stock symbol for companies GWSO, or named Global Warming Solutions Inc. we are on the OTC market and it’s still a new company but we are going to get a new status as a full reporting company. And the price of shares went up substantially, just for the last six months.
Alina Warrick (32m 56s):
So you feel the stock is going to continue to rise, right?
Vladimir Vasilenko (32m 59s):
Absolutely, because again, this is still the beginning of the prosperous. I believe it will be prosperous business, Global Warming Solutions. Because we are getting in touch with new investors. And we recently released the new PR, press releases. And now everyone can read about us, what we are doing, what we are going to achieve, how quickly, or about our patents, about our technologies and the company actually gets in, again, a new development that is about a new spin off of the business.
Alina Warrick (33m 39s):
And so what products do you have out there in the market?
Vladimir Vasilenko (33m 41s):
There are three types of products and technologies, first of all, the products and technology I have developed before related to agriculture, especially organic agriculture and food safety. This is the lighting system developed. Now we are in negotiation with several grocery stores and growers across the United States. And I believe we will get this very serious deal with this company for manufacturing and buying the lighting system that I developed. First of all, increase in shelf life of their fresh produce,
Vladimir Vasilenko (34m 27s):
This is the first product. Then of application of light for growing plants in greenhouses, especially on hydroponic conditions, this and, or increase in their food security and food safety by using this light for treatment of food that substantially decrease the risk of hazardous risk, like usage of chemicals, dangerous products, fungicide, pesticide decrease the usage. That definitely makes environment, especially food, much more safer for consumption, especially for human being. Again, this is the first type of the product. Another type of the product is related to my business partner Artem Madatov.
Vladimir Vasilenko (35m 12s):
Artem made several applications for patent related to a different area, electric vehicles, sodium based battery, not lithium battery, but much safer for our environment, sodium based battery for electric vehicles, and also a system for hydrogen, injection of hydrogen to the vehicle, to the motor, to the engines, to increase the efficacy that may substantially reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxygen nitrates. So it makes the environment better.
Vladimir Vasilenko (35m 54s):
So didn’t with the greenhouse effect, the reduction of greenhouse emissions of greenhouse. So this is currently, we don’t have any product for sales, but it just a matter of time, because we are getting funds and we can start manufacturing our products very, very soon. Like related to my product, maybe March or April. And related to other products, just a matter of, hopefully in 2021, we’ll be able to offer the customers, the various type of products and technology.
Vladimir Vasilenko (36m 36s):
And also there are some type of technologies that will have a global market, global customers, this technology are related to ecological monitoring, all the problem or like CO2 gas emission, increase in the temperature of the ocean, the water or ocean. Dealing with monitoring and prediction, or for ecological disasters like forest fire, hurricanes, tornados, also a development of the pandemic, like COVID-19, interesting, all this disastrous situation.
Vladimir Vasilenko (37m 22s):
And all the global catastrophic problems, can be predictable using this certain monitoring and mathematic programs and model by gathering information from various sources, including data of NASA, space monitoring, interesting that right now, the civilization does not have such program. This is why we’re dealing with consequences or this disaster or situation, nobody could predict the pandemia because there was no data, no problem, no world coordination, proper growth coordination. And we are going to change this situation as well, to make a specific connection with our partners who are making software, programs, monitoring to provide governmental organizations, starting from United nations, from World Health Organization, from the Agricultural and Food Organization, government of the companies by providing this day, they can predict disaster or situation because of the climate changed because of the reason of temperature for what areas of the earth we could expect, various disasters like a forest fire or a hurricane.
Vladimir Vasilenko (38m 48s):
So we are starting this business that I believe is absolutely necessary for the planet Earth to survive and to prevent some ecological catastrophes. So this is a short type of problem. So see we have a very versatile, broad businesses that actually, I believe could change the world some way, positive way, by providing this global awareness about the situation.
Alina Warrick (39m 21s):
Yeah. There are so many opportunities that you have gone into and have reached out and connected in different ways. And I’m looking at your website and specifically for what you have Alterna Motors. And it was like these scooters and like golf carts and electrical vehicles. So is this through the battery that you were talking about, the energy source that you were developing, is that how this product was made?
Vladimir Vasilenko (39m 51s):
Yes, this is that battery. And the second there is a very interesting moment. So the last mile delivery vehicle, three wheels, motor scooter cars. They can sell a huge amount of energy. And also there is zero emissions, no pollution for the environment, because up to this day, I usually the big trail of trucks, big vehicle and all trailer trucks, they deliver stuff to the small grocery, small restaurants, small places, and then even as well as a small convenience store, sometime it shouldn’t be this way because it’s a waste of time, money and it increases pollution of the big cities and especially having with traffic problem, you know, many cities have a disaster with the traffic jams, there is no fresh air in the big cities.
Vladimir Vasilenko (40m 52s):
So how, this is a question it’s challenging them in dealing with the question. How to make this delivery maximum, possibly efficient without diluting the environment and saving energy, small, small vehicle with zero emissions.
Alina Warrick (41m 9s):
So when is this going to be out in the market?
Vladimir Vasilenko (41m 12s):
Very good question, because we had to find definitely a business partner because our company, my company is still very, very small. And our first question is to find how to find the proper partners. We are actually have some already contacted some in this direction but I will see what will happen in the near future. I do believe we will be successful with this, but unfortunately, everything takes time, especially now with this pandemic situation, for instance, now in Canada, I actually locked up my place. I can not travel because all non-essential businesses are closed until maybe mid February, late February.
Vladimir Vasilenko (41m 57s):
And it definitely has a very negative impact on a business on Global Warming Solutions, unfortunately.
Alina Warrick (42m 5s):
Got it, got it. And so Tesla better watch out because Global Warming Solution is about to take over, right?
Vladimir Vasilenko (42m 12s):
Exactly. Absolutely.
Alina Warrick (42m 14s):
So Vladimir, how old were you when you started your business?
Vladimir Vasilenko (42m 18s):
So, we talk about my first consulting business. That was in 2006 and I was 43 years old.
Alina Warrick (42m 29s):
So how long did it start you to see some real traction in the beginning stages when you started your consulting practice?
Vladimir Vasilenko (42m 36s):
Almost immediately, because I already had connected to, that time with my previous contract, but it was, as you can understand a very, very small business. So it gave me enough for money to me then it’s, you know, to provide food and good condition for my family, for just the basics, to make ends meet, but nothing about this. So it was still very, very long process to come from my initial consulting business to the level of Global Warming Solutions. So along the way, and a long process as you see it’s not finished yet.
Alina Warrick (43m 21s):
Yeah. There’s still a lot of growth, but really positive and exciting growth for you, that’s what I’m hearing. So Vladimir, did you have any mentors that helped you out to start your first business and I’m hearing you have one mentor that started, that helped you out a lot with a Global Warming Solutions, but what about consulting? Where you running this solo by yourself?
Vladimir Vasilenko (43m 42s):
Absolutely by myself. I did not have anybody except after, maybe a couple of years, I met fellow, local, actually I met him in our church, in a church in I belong to, he helped me to establish a local connection with the Canadian government and helped me with my own consulting business. As a result, I got my first grant for research and development from, Canadian government, but it was 2010, 2011. So definitely I met people, but most part of my work I did by myself and my experience, definitely not the best ones, try and trials and errors everywhere with some substantial disappointment as everywhere, but still I still have survived and I’m looking forward to the positive changes of my business in the near future.
Alina Warrick (44m 46s):
So Vladimir, I’m really interested to know how do you look at failures and how do you overcome them?
Vladimir Vasilenko (44m 52s):
First of all, it needs lots of day in my life. It takes a lot of perseverance and beliefs in what I’m doing and what I did because every business has lots of risks or a great deal of risk. And morally, my belief in my business, my technologies will bring positive change to the world. At least some difference in the technology. It give me enough enthusiasm, to continue because otherwise I won’t survive because again, the were so many difficulties, problems and even in desperate situations.
Vladimir Vasilenko (45m 39s):
So it needs lots of belief and perseverance to continue a business like mine.
Alina Warrick (45m 46s):
So powerful. So wherever everyone is listening this to, whatever journey you’re on, perseverance, I am hearing is to power through all the failures to push through and come on the other side. Is that what I’m hearing?
Vladimir Vasilenko (46m 2s):
Yeah, absolutely. And also that actually I believe this is the first and foremost, the proper connections with people because without getting in touch with, for me, I did spend a lot of time by myself, but if I won’t meet with certain people, I won’t, so definitely, my business won’t survive. So connections, connections, proper connections with the right people, with good people and listen to the proper advice, because sometimes it’s hard to find which advice is good which advice is not good. It needs, I would say quite the wisdom and quiet, I think, you know about the possible difficulties and also marketing.
Vladimir Vasilenko (46m 46s):
They are very, very important question. Would your product need for the market or not? Would people buy your products or technology or not? This is a critical question. There are so many ideas, so many ideas that perished, they died, because there was no market for them, but it does not mean this idea are bad, won’t work, but because market is not ready. And there is one example from my story, a product, the lighting system, the LED light I developed, based on my discovery, you know, and the other scientific discoveries, this light would be perfect. Perfect fit for grocery store, for supermarket, for greenhouse, for growers, for many areas related to growing plants and food safety.
Vladimir Vasilenko (47m 37s):
But nobody knows about how this work, it requires a lot of education for people because this light is a supplemental lighting system. It’s invisible for the human eye. And I looked at lots of skepticism. People say, where’s the light? Is that UV light? I said no. What’s the other light? I said it’s not spectrum. I don’t see anything. Why aren’t you believing me? Where is your, the approval from the governmental organization? Show me your patents, patent can feel, everybody can feel patent. But show me, show me the signature of high level authorities that your technology work.
Vladimir Vasilenko (48m 19s):
So what can I do with this situation? I don’t have the, it takes time for people to believe or understand the feature of this light. Why this work, because again, unfortunately, there are many products on the market available. They do not work, companies make it for profit but unfortunately they do not care about proper testing of this product. They just care about how to make money. And the problem was this company didn’t have initial money. They have lots of initial money to make products that don’t work, then don’t bring any difference.
Vladimir Vasilenko (49m 3s):
But I start on an opposite situation. I did not have money to start, I just use my time, my personal enthusiasm and my beliefs. And I did not have money for marketing for the, even for proper marketing the product, but the product works perfectly.
Alina Warrick (49m 25s):
So Vladimir I’m really interested is giving back either volunteering time or giving back to the community is something that is part of your business values.
Vladimir Vasilenko (49m 36s):
It’s a good question. I would say that to the level of volunteers for a local community. I don’t know because I’m kind of isolated from the local community because my business, people won’t understand they just get some ideas, but don’t know how to do in this direction, because I only can say that on the global level, the technology could bring a difference to every local communities. First of all, I’m thinking about the household, a household can get the advantages from their technology.
Vladimir Vasilenko (50m 15s):
But in many different places, starting from the light, using domestic fridges, refrigerators for keeping the product longer. Helping schools for instance, a garden center, daycare or a local organization. And also public places, public libraries, churches, community halls. This, my technology, could be helpful in this direction and the product. So recently last year I brought my light to a local school, introduced, talking to students that are like grade 9 and grade 10 students and wanting to participate in this local in our area.
Vladimir Vasilenko (51m 3s):
It holds the, Ontario School Boards that actually have the number of public high school here. Bring this technology to them and teaching students about benefits and some biological classes, and this is what I wanted to participate, but COVID, the pandemic currently prevents this, but this is my intent to help, you know, local school or local community with introducing them the benefit of the, my technologies and products. This is what I could say this morning.
Alina Warrick (51m 40s):
Yeah, yeah. And my husband has a backyard garden and he starts to seeds and under those like, fluorescent lights, he gets from a Home Depot or from Costco I think. So we’re really excited to have it released out in the market so we can grab a hold of those lights so he can start his backyard garden and eco-friendly way and a more efficient way, like you were saying. So, yeah, we’re totally excited.
Vladimir Vasilenko (52m 8s):
Great, that is great!
Alina Warrick (52m 8s):
So Vladimir, what are some things that you would advise the next aspiring immigrant that wants to start their own business, listening to you right now?
Vladimir Vasilenko (52m 18s):
Good question. First of all, based on my experience, I would say it’s very, very serious task if you want to start your own business. Think it over, seven times before you start, I would say, this is my, so not just, I don’t want to prevent you to do it, but first of all, this is, you could expect dramatic change in your life in both positive and negative way, especially for people who have families. Families need a stable source of income. And unfortunately, especially in the very beginning, as a self entrepreneur, new business, or a start in whatever activities might mean a substantially decrease of income.
Vladimir Vasilenko (53m 9s):
Because you can lose money very quickly, but not all, even this, also investment of your time. When I started my consultant business again, I was lucky enough in the beginning, and after a while, I lived without source of income for quite a long period of time, only because my savings and other activities. So it’s investment, investment and investment of time, your energy, your money. And sometime people can not even get through the oddest difficulties and losing their properties because they make a debt, borrowing money from bank without support, without a proper business plan.
Vladimir Vasilenko (53m 52s):
So again, I get back to the point, it’s so important to find a proper business partner, to get connected with the people who you trust, or at least who could be trusted based on your estimation but this is a steal at a very risky process, to make business successful.
Alina Warrick (54m 16s):
Yeah. Well, you’ve done an amazing job and thank you so much for sharing your journey. I’m really excited to share this with everyone and all of my listeners. Thank you Vladimir for coming on my show, you have an amazing, amazing company, amazing model, and the world really needs more of you guys. And I hope to connect sometime with you in the future and hope to hear so many more products out there in the market that helps us on a daily basis.
Vladimir Vasilenko (54m 49s):
Thank you, Alina. Also thank you very much for connecting with me, for all your contacts and for your very encouraging word about my business and about myself. I’m glad to hear, I was glad to share this information with the listeners. Thank you.
Alina Warrick (55m 6s):
All righty, guys. Thank you so much for tuning in. If there are any links that were mentioned in this episode, make sure to check them out on my website under this episode, to find all the links conveniently located in the show notes. I just wanted to ask for a quick favor. If you could please leave a review wherever you’re at listening to this podcast. Also if you’re an Immigrant Entrepreneur and would love to be on my podcast, please email me and we’ll get connected. I’ll see you guys all next time for another exciting and impactful episode. Take care.
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