One of the Most Awe-Inspiring Rags to Riches Stories Ever: Diego Sánchez, Founder of Maidan Holding, Fought Poverty Single-Handedly as a Child, Ended Up Creating a Group of Successful Companies

“To be more robust, you must surround yourself with people smarter than yourself, and that’s precisely what I have done. My team, who I refer to as my big family, is smarter is something I cherish.”

Diego Sánchez, a.k.a Dídac Sánchez, is a 28-year-old self-made entrepreneur. He was born in Spain in a humble neighborhood of Barcelona (Raval). During his early years, he spent many years living in a residence (for underage children), following Catalonia's government withdrew custody of his parents for not having enough money to take care of their children—Mr. Sánchez and his two sisters.

Mr. Sánchez worked as a trainee in an insurance company living in the residence. He also repaired computers as a hobby and thus earned an extra income. After this hard past, Mr. Sánchez has become a well-known international businessman. He runs his group of companies focused on five different business areas—medicine (assisted reproduction clinics), marketing (advertising campaigns), finance and legal (fintech world and lawyers), technology and Internet (companies with online reputation), and his foundation (Dídac Sánchez Foundation), where he helps other young entrepreneurs with difficult pasts.

Maidan Holding, a business group, was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. It has an additional office location in Florida.

Diego Sánchez, Maidan Holding Founder, spoke exclusively to The Silicon Review. Below is an excerpt.

Q. How many companies belong to your holding?

Maidan Holding has over 12 international companies in different countries. All of them have marked leadership and success in their respective sectors.

Q. ‘Responsibilities are not given, they are taken.’ How do you explain this statement?

I tell my workers that they have to take responsibility for themselves, as it’s essential to act and do things for today, not tomorrow.

Q. What were the grounds on which you have established your company and its services over the years?

My commitment to work has allowed me to create not only one but many companies over the years. I am glad that nothing else interests me but work. It’s my thing.

There’s always something in a human that clicks, and they want to do it, no matter what. For instance, some people are driven to explore places, meet friends, engage on social media, etc. They do it irrespective of their other interests. That said, I understand that having a hobby is a healthy choice, but solely focusing on a hobby and bypassing work is equally unhealthy.

In a nutshell, my mantra is to work and work properly. This is how I have established companies and their services over the years.

Q. How did you overcome hurdles that stood in your way?

Coming up with ideas and streamlining them theoretically is unchallenging, most of the time. However, the implementation part is always tricky. Doing things without knowledge, without help, and without money is not easy. The worst thing: Nobody believes in your ideas.

I took on every obstacle as a challenge, not as a difficulty, and kept moving on. You have to keep rowing to achieve your goals is the secret behind every success.

Q. Talk about your team. How did you form one?

I have created a team of trustworthy people who possess loads of experience. To be more robust, you must surround yourself with people smarter than yourself, and that’s precisely what I have done. My team, who I refer to as my big family, is smarter is something I cherish.

Q. How did Maidan Holding adapt to the current operating climate where COVID restrictions imposed a sea change of companies' procedures?

We were very quick and implemented telework without waiting for the "government" to decide, as things were going out of hand. This has allowed us to continue working as normally as possible.

Q. If not a business leader, what else you wish to be?

I do not consider myself a leader, just a fighter who has managed to achieve some business goals after much effort and suffering. I never forget my origins; I am still the same. The companies, the money, or the interviews have not changed the way I see myself.

Q. ‘Union is strength, is the reason why Maidan Holding expects the incorporation of new minority investors or stockholders during 2020 and 2021, in order to continue the globalisation of the companies of our Holding.’ How do you explain this? Are exciting things on the way?

I have put this slogan for things that are very significant to me. In Ukraine, the country where I live, there is a square known as ‘Maidan’ or ‘Independence Square.’ In 2014, something very strong occurred in this square, known as the ‘Revolution.’ The Revolution consists of people who demonstrated for months for a better country, a more united country; less corruption, more European, and a better life. So, answering your question, only the union of people and even things make situations more bearable—that is why I am attracting investors who allow my companies to grow more together.

“We have developed a plan for expansion and globalisation across countries such as Russia, Ukraine, China, Japan, North Korea, and South Africa.”