No matter what heights you achieve and how much money you have, always remember to stay human. Sadly enough, some people do not change for the better once they become successful. Truthfully, not everyone can withstand the challenges of wealth, power, and fame, which reveal a person’s true nature like a litmus test. As the saying goes, “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Certain people become arrogant, heartless, selfish, and disrespectful to others once they climb to the top. And the list goes on. I think they simply cannot withstand pressure. After all, money does not spoil people; it only exposes their weaknesses and strengths.
Luckily, most successful and famous people do not suffer from “celebrity disease.” Instead, they work on self-development, achieve their full potential, invest in personal growth, and become their best selves. I am a firm believer that neither money nor power can spoil a strong-minded person who has the right values and priorities in life. In addition, the road to success is often thorny and paved with failures and obstacles. However, life’s difficulties help us know what we are capable of. They make us wiser and more tolerant. They also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-development.
Everyone is familiar with the name Arkady Novikov. Today, he is one of the most famous and successful Russian restaurateurs. Arkady Novikov is a self-made businessman. This unique man has managed to build a real empire of restaurants from scratch and gained recognition not only in Russia but also worldwide. Arkady Novikov is more than just a successful entrepreneur; he is also a man with a big heart. He is always ready to help the needy and support charities. What I most admire about this person is that he didn’t let success go to his head: he has remained charismatic, humane, sincere, and honest. Whenever I follow him on social networks and listen to his interviews, I am always amazed by his charisma, poise, and subtle sense of humor. Arkady Novikov never exalts himself or sounds bombastic. Contrarily, he is a truly sincere and pleasant person, without any hint of arrogance or high-hat manners. He is a true professional who is totally dedicated to his work. Here’s how Caroline Taylor, general manager of Novikov Restaurant & Bar, describes Arkady: “Tireless, inspired, a perfectionist and challenging!”
So, how did Arkady Novikov, who was once turned down for a job at McDonald’s, manage to build a culinary empire from scratch?
Arkady Novikov was born on July 25, 1962, in Moscow. He came from an ordinary family: his father was a design engineer, and his mother was a kindergarten teacher. His childhood was rather challenging. When the boy was less than 6 years old, his parents divorced. He stayed with his mother in a small one-room apartment. To make ends meet, his mom had to work hard, and his grandmother helped to bring him up. As a child, he used to dream about a bike, but he never got one because there was not enough room for it. Surprisingly, Arkady had no plans to build a career in the restaurant industry, and he was never a big fan of cooking. As a child, he wanted to be a policeman and imagined himself riding a motorcycle like police officers.
Curiously enough, Arkady didn’t find traditional school learning particularly engaging and didn’t like socializing much, but he read a lot.
After graduating from high school, Novikov applied to the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute but didn’t ace his exams and wasn’t admitted. And as the saying goes, it was for the best. Then, on his mother’s advice, he went to culinary college, and that was a turning point in his life. He suddenly discovered his talent for cooking and totally immersed himself in the culinary arts, curious to learn all the tricks and mastery of the craft. Here’s what Novikov says about it:
