Erik, I read that you’ve started an online school. Can you give us more background on what it is and how it came to life?

Of course! I started doing personal tuition in 2019, mostly teaching English to kids. Over time, I developed a passion for teaching, and in September 2024, I officially launched my online English school. The idea grew from my passion for education and communication. I started out online, but eventually, I decided to offer offline classes as well, so now I have online and in-person students. It’s been an amazing journey, especially because I’ve been able to combine my love for teaching with my entrepreneurial drive.

You’ve also achieved great things in other fields, like winning the European Taekwon-do championship at 18 or growing a big following on TikTok, reaching over 100,000 followers. How did that experience shape you?

Winning the European Taekwon-do championship in 2022 was a life-changing experience. It taught me about discipline, perseverance, and the value of hard work. You can’t just walk into a competition like that and expect to win—you have to prepare, fail, and keep pushing yourself. That mindset carried over into everything I do, including my businesses and personal projects.

Social media has been crucial, especially TikTok. In January, I decided to turn my life around. I started posting three videos a day in January, and at first, it was tough. I didn’t see much engagement, but I kept going despite the frustration. It took me six months to get to 10,000 followers, and then I hit 100,000 in just three months after that. Consistency and creativity are key. It was a game-changer for me because it opened up new networking opportunities and helped build my personal brand. I’d say to anyone trying to build a brand on social media: just keep posting and don’t give up, even when it feels like nothing is happening.

Balancing all these responsibilities—running a school, creating content, and competing in sports—must be difficult. How do you manage it?

It’s definitely a challenge! I’ve learned a lot about time management through trial and error. My experience in Taekwon-do taught me how to handle pressure and focus on what’s important. The key is to stay disciplined and organized. I make sure to set clear goals and break them down into manageable tasks. But I’m still learning—there are definitely times when it gets overwhelming!

You’re planning to talk about performance dysmorphia at sTARTUp Day. Can you explain what it means?

Performance dysmorphia is like body dysmorphia but related to achievements. You accomplish a lot but still feel like it’s never enough. I experienced this last year when I was checking off tasks, but nothing felt satisfying. I kept thinking, “I need to do more, I’m not doing enough.” It’s a mental trap that can drive you to work harder, but it can also leave you feeling empty. I want to talk about it because it’s something many entrepreneurs face—this constant pressure to do more, even when you’re achieving great things.

Can you share more about your personal experience with lonely chapters in business?

Loneliness is something I think every entrepreneur goes through. For me, it was especially hard last winter. I was working night shifts at the airport, teaching private lessons, and creating content, but I wasn’t really connecting with anyone. I felt isolated because the people around me didn’t share the same drive or vision. It’s tough, but it’s part of the process. You have to accept it, push through, and eventually, you’ll find others who are on the same wavelength.

In your keynote topics, you've emphasized the importance of communication in scaling a business. What practical advice can you give to get better at communications?

Communication is vital. I developed my skills through public speaking, teaching, and creating content. One thing that’s helped me is being an active listener. When you really listen to people and engage with what they’re saying, it makes a huge difference. I also learned from reading books like How to Win Friends and Influence People—it’s a classic but so useful. My advice is to practice being present in conversations, whether you’re in a meeting or speaking with a client. It’s all about building trust and connections.

What have been the biggest challenges you faced throughout your life, and how did you overcome them?

Each project came with its own set of challenges. The biggest one is always taking the first step—whether it’s finding the right people to work with or managing finances. There were moments when I felt lost or like things weren’t moving forward. But I’ve learned that setbacks are just part of the process. The key is to keep pushing, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and stay focused on the bigger picture.

How has being a teacher shaped your perspective on leadership and business?

Teaching has taught me a lot about leadership. It’s not just about knowing your material—it’s about engaging your students and making the lessons relevant to them. In business, it’s the same. You need to understand what people need and how to communicate effectively. Teaching has also made me more patient and better at structuring my thoughts. It’s been a great learning experience that I apply in everything I do.

Finally, what can we expect from your sTARTUp Day talk? What message do you hope to leave with the audience?

I’m really excited about the talk. I want to share my journey and talk about how persistence, passion, and communication can help you overcome challenges. I’ll be discussing performance dysmorphia and the loneliness that comes with entrepreneurship, but I also want to inspire people to keep going, no matter what. My main message is that you can achieve incredible things if you stay consistent and believe in yourself.

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Erik Lavrov will speak at the Baltics' biggest business festival, sTARTUp Day 2025, which will be held from 29 to 31 January in Tartu, Estonia.