The Road to Kilimanjaro

Entrepreneurialism is an uphill-or mountainous-battle filled with new challenges every day. Having come from Moldova's early days of democracy, Serguei Melnik has always thrived on adversity, studying hard and chasing opportunities. While in law school, Serguei made a promise that he would hike Mount Kilimanjaro with his friend when they'd earned $1 million.

That mountain became a symbol for every challenge Serguei would face, from fraudulent company partners to arriving poor in the US to the challenge of growing his family. Through all of these trials and successes, Serguei held tight to his integrity and followed his intuition to achieve personal and professional success. Serguei demonstrates that a person can not just survive, but thrive if they hold tight to their values and push through personal and professional roadblocks to enjoy the rewards at the finish line.

You can follow the verses of Vladimir Vysotsky in "Song About a Friend." Climbing to the business pinnacle is the same as climbing to the mountain summit: the true colors of your companion can and will come through:

"If he didn't complain or whine

Clenching teeth through entire climb

When you suddenly slipped and fell

His hands fought with the rope but held

If he acted as if at war

At the summit he swayed with awe

Doesn't matter what he might seem

You can place all your trust in him."