Hello

If someone had told me years ago that my biggest media spotlight wouldn’t come from my career in construction, but from selling healthy food in boxes, I would have laughed. Yet, here I am.

I spent years building houses, managing large-scale projects, and lecturing about project management at universities and business events. My LinkedIn was filled with serious engineering achievements, and my professional network knew me as an expert in construction science.

I loved my career, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I wanted the freedom to be my own boss, to own my time, and to build something truly mine.

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The Accidental Entrepreneur

In 2014, I launched "21diena," the first healthy food subscription delivery service in my country. No one believed it would succeed. People questioned:

❌ “Who would pay for ready-made healthy food subsription?”
❌ “You’re in construction, what do you know about food?”
❌ “Isn’t this just a fancy way to sell salads?”

 

Well, turns out, a lot of people were willing to pay for healthy, convenient meals. Within a year, my side hustle had become a full-time success. It allowed me to quit the 9-to-5, enjoy the freedom to manage my own time, and—ironically—spend even more time teaching and coaching people on business strategies.

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From Construction Sites to TV Screens

Funny thing? Even though I had built a solid reputation in construction, my biggest media spotlight came from food. TV stations, newspapers, and magazines all wanted to talk about my business. I became "the food entrepreneur" overnight, sharing insights on healthy eating, business, and innovation.

Yet, despite all the public attention, this was still my side hustle. My full-time job? Managing projects, lecturing, coaching business professionals, and—eventually—running my company from abroad.

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Running a Business from Another Country (With Two Toddlers) ​

For the last five years of running 21diena, I wasn’t even living in my home country.
Why? I got married, moved abroad, and had two kids.

I managed my business remotely while navigating motherhood, proving that:

✔ A well-structured business can run smoothly—even when you're not physically there.
✔ You don’t have to choose between family and entrepreneurship—you can do both.
✔ Having toddlers is great training for crisis management.

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In 2024, I sold my company—not because it wasn’t successful, but because it was time. The business was ready to expand even further, but to do so, I needed to be physically present. And let’s be honest, running an international business while managing nap schedules is not a scalable model. 

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What’s Next?

My journey proves that you don’t need to have the perfect background, tons of experience, or a million-dollar investment to build a successful business. Sometimes, all you need is a good idea, a smart strategy, and the willingness to take the first step.

And if a construction project manager-turned-food entrepreneur-turned-business coach can do it, why not you? 😉