Victoria Zadorozhnaya: "I really love guests — to meet, host, and set the tables"
My new interview in the column #ВыОгонёк — this is a story about how love helps to be a mom of a large family, the owner of a big hotel, and a beauty 24/7. It is about Vika Zadorozhna — the founder and manager of the Redling hotel and restaurant, where we met for this conversation. Enjoy reading.
Jordan: — Vika, hello. My first question, of course, is about Redling — how did it come about and how did you get into the hospitality industry?
Victoria: — I was at home on maternity leave, the children were growing up — and I realized that I wanted my own business. My husband suggested building apartments that we would rent out. Instead, I proposed building a hotel — and a small restaurant. We made that decision — and I started to learn. At first glance, the hotel business seemed simple to me, but in reality, it is not at all, so I continue to learn even now. We conceived Redling about six years ago — we spent three years building, and the hotel itself is now two and a half years old.
And: — What were you doing before this?
Q: — I worked in my parents' plumbing store — my parents have been in this business for over twenty years. In general, I studied at the Institute of Internal Affairs in law, but at 18 I started working for my parents and soon became the director. Then I got pregnant and went on maternity leave. My parents were expecting me to return because I, like you, sold well (smiles). By the way, I actually met my husband at work.
I: — In the store?
Q: — Yes, he is my client (laughs). After the birth of my first child, I soon became pregnant for the second time and did not return to work — family life consumed me. And, of course, the big house also took a lot of time — and the constant guests in it. I really love having guests — welcoming, hosting, and setting the tables.
And: — Is this from the parents?
Q: — My parents also loved having guests, but I think it comes more from my grandmother. She still loves to cook a lot and invite guests to the table, she loves everyone to gather together. I remember that at my grandparents' house every Saturday, the table was set for the whole room, guests would come, and the bayan would play. They sang, danced, and had fun — I like that. And my great-grandmother and great-grandfather were both chefs. I still have their old cookbooks. They lived in the post-war period on French Boulevard, and all sorts of big shots from Moscow would come to them — they fed them all kinds of delicacies like stuffed pigeons. Apparently, I inherited all of this genetically (smiles).
And: — What food do you like?
Q: — Simple. Homemade. I also love restaurant food, but it has to be unusual — something you can't make at home. At home, I like to cook simply and quickly — I fry a tray of cutlets in 20 minutes: I fry them on both sides and send them to the oven to finish cooking. I love mashed potatoes with a cutlet and sauerkraut (laughs). Herring with potatoes in their jackets. But the potatoes have to be great, specially chosen for this at the market.
And: — Tell me more.
Q: — Everyone knows me at the market. I order potatoes there by the bags right away — we have a big family, we make large purchases for home. Right now I love lemon potatoes — they make a great puree, my family loves puree the most. And if you boil them in their skins, I recommend the pink Israeli ones from "Gardens of Victory." It's just amazing! The other day we boiled some potatoes, bought different kinds of fish to go with them, and had a great time.
And: — Do you cook at home? Or does your spouse also?
Q: — I cook, and he loves to eat well. By the way, he also likes home-cooked food, and when I don't have time to prepare, he is very reluctant to agree to eat at a restaurant.
And: — How do you divide responsibilities in the hotel? Does your spouse work with you or do you handle it on your own?
Q: — He doesn't interfere with operational work, but I share everything with him, we talk a lot and discuss.
My husband teaches me how to manage: to explain, to control, to double-check, and to remain calm while doing so.
He often tells me: "The calmer you are, the better you will be perceived."
And: — Do you feel that Redling is the work of your life? Are you ready to dedicate your entire remaining life to it?
Q: — I don’t know how it will be: ready today, but tomorrow everything may change. There are periods of very strong fatigue — I can drive past the hotel for several days and not even go inside. And then I reboot — and again I want everything: to invent, to change, to organize.
And: — What are your goals for the upcoming year related to the hotel?
Q: — I want to build a new passage to the sea from the hotel — it is in very poor condition here. To overcome the fear of saying goodbye to people who do not want to develop and thus hinder the development of my business. And of course, to make money, because I want to open another restaurant — in the city center. Many guests ask for this, so they don’t have to come here specifically. I also have big plans regarding the automation of all possible processes in the hotel; next year I plan to launch an internal school with training videos for the staff — to improve their qualifications and to make it easier to bring new people up to speed. But the problem is that I am currently without a manager — I am on my own.
And: — Do you feel the need for a good manager?
Q: — Yes, of course, but I can't find it. You know, this is a person who has to live here 24/7, always be aware of everything. Those who have already tried for this position lacked multitasking skills. The hotel is not just about guests. There’s also electricity, water, the boiler room — something is always breaking down, you need to know who to call, where to urgently repair. I handle all of this well because I have a lot of experience with a large private house. For a managerial position, you need a person who is ready to take on responsibility, grow, and develop. Right now, I am looking for a restaurant director — the vacancy is open (laughs).
And: — Vika, now let's move on to questions about you. Let's start with your day — what does your weekday and your weekend consist of?
Q: — Let's start with a weekday. I hate getting up early, but I have to. I get up at seven in the morning, make breakfast for the whole family, the kids and my husband have breakfast, then I send everyone off to school and work. Fortunately, I don't take the kids to school. Then my youngest daughter Emilia wakes up — and we have breakfast together. After that, I go to the gym, but I'm already connected for work — in my headphones. Then I often go for a hairdo — I don't like it when my hair is not fresh. And then I go to work — and that's it, I'm here all day. My day starts and ends with the restaurant. I dedicate a lot of time specifically to the restaurant — more than to the hotel.
And: — What is the ratio of hotel guests to regular restaurant guests in the restaurant?
Q: — Now there are more residents of Odessa coming here than hotel guests. It is clear that people who check into the hotel come here for breakfast (breakfast is included in the accommodation cost), try it, and then happily return for dinner. But in any case, there are more residents of Odessa here. Especially in the summer, when we host musical evenings or some parties.
"I am sorry that there is a stereotype that the restaurant at the hotel is bad. We want to break it."
Do you have that?
And: — No, I have good experience. Because my first restaurants in hotels were in Shanghai, then in Paris, I immediately realized that the best restaurants are indeed in hotels. We simply do not have this culture in Ukraine.
Q: — Yes, and many of our guests are genuinely surprised that our food is delicious. And then when they come back to the hotel for a week, they just don’t want to leave. Some don’t even go to the sea — they spend all their time in the hotel and restaurant.
And: — What time do you finish your workday?
Q: — I have an irregular work schedule — everything depends on the current processes. Right now we are setting up the menu — I usually free up around nine-thirty in the evening. Of course, I can leave whenever I want, but then I will spend the rest of the time sitting on my phone.
And: — The children at home are not asleep at this time, are they waiting for your return?
Q: — Yes, they don’t sleep. I come home, we lounge around watching TV, talking about how the day went. Everyone except Misha — he has been distancing himself lately. He is about to turn ten, he has online games, boys, all that stuff. He tells me: "Mom, hi, how are you? Just make sure to do your nails red, red is your color." You understand? (laughs)
And: — It's true, red is yours (smiling). And how old are the other children?
Q: — Nika is eleven and a half, and Emilia is two and a half years old.
And: — So, Emilia is the same age as the hotel?
Q: — Yes, I gave birth to Emilia — and exactly one month later the hotel opened.
And: — What is your favorite part of the day?
Q: — Breakfast — when everyone has left, except for us and Emilia. I love to have a quiet and delicious breakfast. And I really love the hall — there I completely recharge. I also love Friday evening — our gatherings with friends. My husband calls Friday evening the day of the motorist (laughs).
And: — Do you spend Saturday and Sunday at home?
Q: — In the summer, we always go out with friends on Saturdays too. And on Sundays, we stay at home, yes, that's always a day off. Everyone is at home, I always cook lunch, we have lunch as a family.
And: — Are you inviting friends over?
Q: — No, not right now — we are receiving everyone at the restaurant. There are already so many people in our lives — it’s hard. And at home, there are also a bunch of workers, house helpers, without whom I wouldn’t manage anything. There’s also my own control, checklists, and a work plan for the day: who does what. I have a nanny and a housekeeper living with me. In general, two nannies and two housekeepers work in shifts — the second one comes to help on weekdays. I really love cleanliness, I’m a crazy perfectionist. I love everything to be perfectly clean and organized. All the windows are clean, regardless of the season. The curtains are all washed, the bed linens and towels are constantly fresh. Even the agencies tell me that they won’t find me a housekeeper because I want it to be like in a hotel. But I love it that way.
And: — Now it’s clear why you have a hotel — as if it couldn’t have been any other way. You treated the house like that even before the hotel, didn’t you?
Q: — Yes, to the hotel. It has always been like that.
And: — What is your strength?
Q: — It's hard to answer this question. I think my strength is that when I'm in a good mood and everything is going well, I can really motivate people. I energize them.
And: — This is your strength as a leader. And your strength as a person, as a mom?
Q: — I always try to look good — I always have a clean head, fresh manicure, well-groomed appearance. I can't do it any other way.
And: — What talent would you like to have?
Q: — I would like to sing beautifully. Yes, I sing terribly, but I like it when someone sings beautifully (laughs).
And: — What is your main flaw in yourself?
Q: — Probably the desire to keep everything under control is both my flaw, because I drive myself with it. I don't allow myself to relax, I don't know how to stop in time, I don't know how to rest.
And: — Judging by what you say about your spouse, he is teaching you to move at a fast pace, but not at maximum speed.
Q: — Yes-yes, that's right.
And: — Does his example not motivate you to slow down? In all processes. Not to stop, but to slow down.
Q: — I didn't listen to him before, I was stubborn. But now I'm starting to pay attention, I agree to pause, to breathe out.
And: — What does a modern woman mean to you?
Q: — First of all, feminine. I sometimes lack that — I'm a guy in pants, you know. When I realize this — I hold myself back.
The modern woman, in my understanding, is feminine, sexy, and calm.
"She is in love and happiness - doing what she loves and enjoying it. She loves herself and the people around her."
And: — The first thought you wake up with in the morning.
Q: — I want to sleep (laughs). When will I get enough sleep? According to the law of meanness, it's hard to get up on a weekday, but on a weekend, when I can sleep longer, I wake up at seven in the morning. And if there was a party the night before, I can even wake up at six.
And: — What thought do you fall asleep with?
Q: — I thank you for the day lived. I always thank for the children, they are amazing. In general, family is my support. I can be tired, upset, but when I see the children, they energize me. And my husband supports me a lot. Sometimes he gets angry that I'm not home, but he praises me a lot for dedicating myself to my work.
And: — Was there an event in your youth, some action of yours, after which you realized that you had grown up? At what moment did the internal click related to adulthood happen?
Q: — I still don’t feel like an adult (smiles). Seriously. I don’t feel like I’m 36 at all. Inside, I’m still 23, and I’m comfortable there — despite all the responsibility I carry. But in my youth, I often went against my parents. I always had suitors who were many years older than me, and my fiancé was actually a gangster — two meters tall, chains, weapons, shooting in front of the entrance and all that. I was 16, he was 26. My parents were strongly against it, my dad would take my phone away, forbidding me to go out with him. And back then, I thought it was adult life and I was cool (laughs).
And: — It's great that you built relationships from a young age. Not many people do this. Did you have a good example from your family?
Q: — Yes, I grew up in a complete family. My mom didn't work for a long time — she dedicated all her time to my sister and me. She cooked, cleaned, took us to school, picked us up, and was in the school parent committee. In general, she was a mom-mom (smiles). Of course, I don't approach parenting as fanatically anymore; I try to distance myself from parent committees (laughs).
And: — Tell me about your style in your youth. How did you dress?
Q: — I have always loved to dress beautifully and I have always loved expensive things. And somehow it happened that I always unintentionally chose things that were more expensive than my sister's. My parents were constantly outraged about this, but still, my mom bought me everything I wanted.
And: — Does Mom like things herself?
Q: — Yes, very much. Shopping addiction runs in my family (laughs).
And: — What prompts you to buy things?
Q: — I always want to wear something new, I enjoy it. And when do I not enjoy it, you know? When I have to sort out the wardrobe (laughs).
And: — Does the husband choose his own clothes?
Q: — No! Only with me. We come to your store together — he never goes shopping alone.
And: — How did you first get to Ogonyok? I remember you bought a Retrofete dress, but that was not your first visit to the store.
Q: — Before that, I bought a Sleeper dress, I saw it on Instagram. I came to buy one, but ended up buying another — that's my thing (laughs). Moreover, I always buy easily and quickly, I don't like to think for too long. If I like it — I take it and that's it!
And: — You bought Retrofete for some event.
Q: — Yes, I had a birthday, and the dress I ordered for the occasion turned out to be too short. So I went to get a new dress. My husband asked, "Don't you have anything to wear?" And I replied, "No, I never have anything to wear" (laughs).
And: — You are such a girl in these moments (laughs).
Q: — Well, yes (smiles).
And: — Is it important for you that your things are unlike others?
Q: — Yes, I like it. I don't like it when friends in the company are dressed in the same clothes.
And: — I understand. Me too.
Q: — You don't like it either? I thought I was the greedy one. You see, people don't want to think for themselves, they just want to copy.
And: — I am glad when clients wear things that I wear. I think it's cool.
Q: — But not your friends with whom you hang out. Because you want to be unique in your style.
And: — Of course. I just have such different friends, each spends money on absolutely different things. And there is no danger that they will dress the same way I do.
Q: — This is more of a feminine thing, women work differently: "My husband really liked how Vika was dressed, can I have the same?"
And: — In this case, you need to consult stylists. We are constantly told that our strength lies in styling. The same thing cannot suit everyone — that’s why a stylist is needed to choose the look.
Q: — Got it, I will send my friends too, Ognёk (laughs).
And: — What is your favorite thing from Ogonyok?
Q: — I really love Sleeper dresses — I always get compliments when I wear them.
And: — My last question, which I ask all the guests of my interviews: what does Ogonёk mean to you?
Q: — Oгонёк is a style. Style and ease. I really like the ease of service, and it's easy to come here. I come to you to relax, to look around, and to buy. Quickly (smiles).
Here is Vicki:
Favorite book: right now I have the reference book "Life for Pleasure" by Alexander Palienko
Favorite movie"Eat. Pray. Love." Sometimes I want to act like the main character: to go on a long vacation to different countries and rethink my whole life.
Favorite thing: I love expensive bags. I love Louis Vuitton (laughs).
Wish to the readers: I wish for everyone to be in constant love everywhere and in everything. In love and tranquility. Because when there is tranquility and a clear mind, all decisions are made correctly. And when they are made in love as well — it's just bliss.
