Podcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-customer-empowering-tech-founders-to-build/id1649778791?i=1000691445055
When you think of someone with satellites in space, your mind might jump to NASA engineers or billionaire tech moguls. But for Vladimir, space is just one chapter in an entrepreneurial journey rooted in curiosity, resilience, and a deep desire to help others build things that matter.
Vladimir recently joined The First Customer podcast, hosted by Jay Agner, to share his path from a candy-selling high schooler to a business coach helping engineers and scientists translate innovation into real-world success.
A Childhood Shaped by Uncertainty
Growing up in post-Soviet Russia, Vladimir’s first exposure to entrepreneurship was less than inspiring—front-page news stories about business leaders meeting violent ends. That chaotic environment left him associating business ownership with danger rather than opportunity. But after immigrating to the U.S. at 14, his perspective began to shift.
By college, Vladimir was already dabbling in business—building a book-sharing site that served thousands of students. Although he didn’t charge for it, the experience planted a seed: what if creating something meaningful and scalable could also be sustainable?
From Wall Street to the Stars
Vladimir initially found himself in finance, simply because it was the most accessible industry for a recent immigrant living in New York. After nearly a decade in capital markets and earning his MBA, he took a leap into the startup world—first launching a peer-to-peer lending company, and then joining a small wealth management tech firm. That second venture grew from two people to 150 and was ultimately acquired by Franklin Templeton.
But instead of settling into the financial world, Vladimir set his sights on a lifelong dream: space.
With no aerospace background, he strategically inserted himself into the industry by joining a small startup that couldn’t afford full-time staff but needed his tech expertise. That partnership launched satellites—literally—and opened his eyes to both the possibilities and limitations of the aerospace sector, especially its dependency on government contracts.
Coaching for the Next Generation of Builders
Recognizing that many brilliant technologists struggle to bring their ideas to market, Vladimir shifted once again—this time into coaching.
As the founder of Human Interfaces, he now helps engineers, scientists, and tech founders bridge the gap between invention and impact. His coaching focuses not just on leadership skills, but on understanding how technology interacts with human decision-making.
“I realized I could multiply the impact of my time by helping others succeed in business,” Vladimir said.
Finding the First Customer (and the Next)
Vladimir’s first paying coaching client was a student eager to break into aerospace. He charged $200—but asked that it be donated to charity. Since then, his clientele has expanded to include nonprofit executives and startup founders, with a clear focus on helping technically minded individuals develop their business and leadership capabilities.
He’s candid about the challenges of building a coaching business: identifying the right niche, refining your positioning, and learning the language your audience actually uses.
“For example, I used to call myself a ‘founder coach,’” Vladimir shared, “but nobody searches for that. ‘Business coach’ gets exponentially more traffic. So now I speak in those terms—because the market speaks, and we have to listen.”
Advice for Aspiring Coaches and Entrepreneurs
If he were to start again, Vladimir says he would immediately invest in narrowing his niche and building an SEO strategy based on data, not instinct.
Tools like Ahrefs, Moz, and SEMrush are critical for understanding what your audience is actually searching for, he explained. “You may want to be called one thing—but if your clients don’t use that language, you’ll be invisible.”
A Mission-Driven Mindset
At the heart of Vladimir’s work is a philosophical commitment to growth, purpose, and impact. “Every day, I ask myself: Am I doing something that sustains life or grows life?” he said. “Because I never want to wake up and be anti-life.”
Whether launching satellites or helping a founder find their footing, Vladimir is driven by a powerful mission: to empower others to build a better future—both here on Earth and far beyond.
Want to connect with Vladimir?
Schedule a discovery session at https://humaninterfaces.co/schedule-session.