TSU Graduate Alina Bakhmeteva Shares Secrets of Building a Successful Startup with IEM Students
A meeting between students and TSU graduate Alina Bakhmeteva, founder of the Tomsk-based iris photography studio EYESPLAN, was held at the Institute of Economics and Management. Alina, who has degrees fr om the Faculty of Psychology and a master's from IEM, shared her entrepreneurial journey, pivotal moments in business development, and valuable advice for beginning entrepreneurs. The event was part of the "Path to Success" project run by the IEM Career Center.
After seeing an online video about eye photography, Alina and Danil Malamyzhev were inspired to create a studio wh ere anyone could capture the unique pattern of their iris.
"I always wanted to do something that truly inspired and energized me. Because only then you feel motivated to develop the business, invest resources and energy," shared Alina.
Iris photography is a unique image, created using a special lens and macro lighting. The photograph reveals the true color of the eyes, intricate patterns, and structures. Each photo is one-of-a-kind, allowing individuals to see their unique features in detail.
In 2022, second-year IEM master's students Alina Bakhmeteva and Danil Malamyzhev won the "Student Startup" competition organized by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the Foundation for Assistance to Innovation. This provided significant support for EYESPLAN – the first and only iris photography studio in Tomsk.
Naturally, the beginning entrepreneurs faced numerous challenges: sourcing equipment, lack of technical know-how, and experimenting with lighting in a rented apartment's closet. However, through perseverance and belief in their idea, they created a unique product that quickly gained popularity in Tomsk.
During the meeting, Alina discussed several turning points in EYESPLAN's development. The first challenge was delegating responsibilities. For two years, Alina and Danil managed all aspects alone, but realized that growth required a team. Finding the right people proved to be difficult, as did learning to trust others.
"It seemed impossible. I seriously thought I'd never find someone who could meet my standards. The fear was overwhelming," admitted Alina. "But ultimately, we discovered everything's possible if you try. Without a team, we wouldn't have succeeded further."
By hiring administrators and building a photo editing team, they significantly improved business efficiency.
The second major milestone was moving to a new studio in the city center. Finding suitable premises was challenging, but they eventually secured an ideal location meeting all requirements.
Alina also shared the experience of opening a second EYESPLAN studio in the creative space "Lampochka" – only to close it shortly after. This provided a valuable lesson about market analysis, cost assessment, and managing expectations.
"Everything we do in life is essentially a hypothesis. In this case, the hypothesis wasn't confirmed. That's normal too – it's still experience," noted the guest speaker.
Concluding the meeting, Alina offered advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraging them to start small without pursuing perfection.
"Don't try to make everything perfect. Evaluate rationally: is this essential for my project's development right now? Just start, test whether it works or not, whether you enjoy it. Then gradually make changes and additions. Don't invest excessive money and effort into perfection from the beginning," emphasized Alina.
She also advised comprehensive self-development and seeking guidance from experienced mentors.
"If you're unsure or facing difficulties, never hesitate to ask for advice," said Alina. "Students regularly contact me for help with their startup competition projects, and I always try to assist when possible. If you have questions, you can write to me too."
For those struggling with perfectionism that prevents implementing ideas due to fear of failure, Alina recommended Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga's book "The Courage to Be Disliked", which helped her overcome similar entrepreneurial obstacles. According to Alina, the book addresses fundamental questions about ignoring others' expectations, finding one's purpose, and taking control of life.
The meeting with Alina Bakhmeteva served as a genuine inspiration for IEM students. Her story demonstrated that through perseverance, belief in one's idea, and learning from mistakes, it's possible to build a successful business in Tomsk that brings creators both income and inspiration while providing customers with beauty, value, and joy.