Serving up posh burgers in Gori, with EU4Youth support

Sophio Nozadze is originally from the town of Gori. After graduating from Tbilisi Free University, she returned to her hometown, where, together with her business partner, she became fully engaged in a challenging new enterprise.

In Gori, Sophio and her team make very tasty burgers garnished with special sauces, as well as sandwiches, wraps, various salads and cocktails.

The team is trying to meet the demand of local residents and visitors, creating long-remembered tastes for their clients.

The EU4Youth project and the Entrepreneurship School were prerequisites for Sophio’s business idea. As Sophio says, her new life is connected with the Entrepreneurship School:

“I learned about the project at work, and I myself provided this information to young people through the Gori City Hall communications. I thought I could also participate so I filled in an application. I really needed something new in my life, so I decided to use the chance. I applied with another business idea, which required more funds and resources, but after consideration, we decided to open a burger bar, which would be a nice novelty for the town.”

Since she brought her burger bar idea to life, Sophio’s schedule has become very busy. She explains that they finalised preparations for their business even amid the pandemic, with significant support from the EU4Youth project:

 “I’ve learned a lot, I’m now much better at managing funds, marketing analysis, and risk assessment.”

The burger bar changed the lives of Sophio and her partner for the better – now the partners have a busier schedule and their daily routine is challenging:

“I’ve learned a lot, I’m now much better at managing funds, marketing analysis, and risk assessment.”

The burger bar changed the lives of Sophio and her partner for the better – now the partners have a busier schedule and their daily routine is challenging:

“The entire project was very interesting, especially the culmination, when you start putting the acquired knowledge into practice. It’s a challenge, and you feel the adrenaline rush and you are a little scared, but you find strength in yourself, and you have some help from others, and it becomes a success. The Entrepreneurship School team has been actively supporting me. We drafted the business plan for the ‘Posh Bar’ together. As a start-up entrepreneur, I think it was most important that they referred me to a mentor. My mentor was experienced chef Saba Ichkitidze, who helped us create the menu and shared his recipes.”

Sophio thinks commitment and willingness are key when starting a business. She says making a decision is not easy, but if you really want it and commit your time and energy, you will make it.

The burger-bar founders find it hard to specify what exactly is the key to success is, but there are some determining factors: planning, communication, quality, comprehensiveness and, most importantly, the desire to start up and develop a business that would make you and your customers happy.

The article has been prepared and published by “Entrepreneur Georgia” in the Georgian language.

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The project – “EU4Youth – Enhancing Youth Education, Employment and Participation in Conflict-affected Areas in Georgia and Ukraine” – is implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Centre for Education Development and Employment (EDEC) with the financial support of the European Union. The project aims to enhance the livelihoods of internally displaced and conflict-affected youth and foster their meaningful participation in society by increasing educational, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for IDP and conflict-affected youth, as well as strengthening state-civic cooperation over youth education, employment and entrepreneurship issues through advocacy and capacity-building of government institution