In 2026, entrepreneurship increasingly demands not growth for the sake of scale, but precision in management and the ability to adapt to economic instability. Against this backdrop, particular attention is drawn to specialists who create sustainable models in industries marked by high competition and operational complexity.
Aleksei Fedosov represents exactly this type of entrepreneur. Having started with hands-on immersion in the automotive sector, he developed his own approach to managing a transportation business, relying on financial discipline, technical expertise, and an understanding of customer behaviour.
He built his professional path at the intersection of technical expertise and financial analysis: from vehicle repair and preparation for operation to the development of his own financial models, including unit economics, pricing strategies, and risk assessment. At the age of 20, he launched a car rental project, scaling the fleet from two vehicles to more than ten within one to two years, while simultaneously developing marketing and customer acquisition channels. In addition to operational management, Fedosov focuses on business process analytics and actively participates in the professional community, including judging international awards and taking part in industry competitions, building a reputation as an entrepreneur with a systematic approach to developing consumer services.
Aleksei, your journey began with practice rather than theory. How does this experience influence your decisions today?
— Practical experience gives you a completely different level of understanding of business. When you personally work on vehicles, oversee repairs, and deal with contractors, you see not abstract processes but real bottlenecks. It develops the habit of calculating and verifying every decision. Today, I do not make a single management move without analysis, whether it is purchasing a vehicle or launching a new direction. This approach reduces mistakes and makes the business more predictable. In addition, practical experience teaches you to react quickly to change, which is especially important in the current economic environment.
You worked in the transportation rental sector. How is customer behaviour changing in 2026?
— Customers have become more rational and price-sensitive. Previously, many focused mainly on convenience and speed, but now they increasingly pay attention to cost and contract terms. This is connected to the general decline in purchasing power and rising expenses. At the same time, expectations regarding service quality are not decreasing — they are actually growing. People want transparent conditions, clear agreements, and reliable vehicles. As a result, entrepreneurs must balance quality and operating costs, which requires precise calculations.
How important is a financial model for a small business today?
— A financial model has become the foundation of survival. With rising costs for spare parts, maintenance, and operations, it is impossible to rely on rough estimates. You need to understand in advance how much each stage of an asset’s operation will cost and under what conditions it will become profitable. I built separate financial models for each vehicle. This allowed me to see the real picture and make decisions based on data. Without this, business turns into a set of random actions.
You also worked in marketing and traffic arbitrage. How does this strengthen an entrepreneur?
— It gives you an understanding of how demand is formed. You begin to see not just the customer, but the entire path leading to a purchase. Knowledge of tools such as Google Ads and Facebook advertising helps allocate budgets more effectively. Even if the main acquisition channel is something simple like Avito, an understanding of marketing improves results. In 2026, it is difficult to compete without this knowledge. Advertising is no longer just an expense — it becomes a tool for managing customer flow.
Today, there is a lot of discussion about the importance of international recognition for entrepreneurs. How do you view this?
— I believe it is a natural step for those who approach business systematically. International recognition requires not only experience, but also proof of competence through practice. This includes participation in professional initiatives, expert activities, and project evaluation. In this context, it is important not only to run a business, but to develop an approach that can be applied more broadly. For me, it is about professional growth and expanding horizons.
You served as a judge at the Glonary Awards. What does this experience give an entrepreneur?
— Judging allows you to look at business from the outside. You evaluate other projects, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and compare different approaches. This develops critical thinking and helps you better understand the market. In addition, you see which solutions work under different conditions and which mistakes are repeated most often. It is difficult to gain this perspective while working only inside your own project. The experience broadens professional vision and strengthens expertise.
You are also involved in the awards industry, particularly with NOVA Awards. How important is participation in such initiatives for entrepreneurs?
— Competitions provide an opportunity to compare yourself with other market participants. It is not only about recognition, but also about feedback. You see how projects are evaluated, which criteria are considered important, and which approaches stand out. This helps refine your own strategy. In addition, participation in such initiatives builds reputation and strengthens trust. In highly competitive markets, this becomes an additional factor of stability.
What are the key challenges facing entrepreneurs in 2026?
— The main challenge is instability. Changes happen faster than before, and businesses must adapt quickly. The second issue is rising costs, which require constant revision of business models. The third factor is competition, especially from large players. In these conditions, those who can calculate accurately and make quick decisions are the ones who succeed. Flexibility becomes more important than scale.
What is the main principle you would highlight in your work?
— A business must be manageable. This means that every action should have a clear calculation and an understandable result. You cannot rely solely on intuition, especially in difficult conditions. Financial discipline, process control, and understanding the customer are the foundation of sustainability. This is what allows a business to move forward even in an unstable environment.
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