Kitsaiev Pavlo Kostiantynovych

From Metal Sales Manager to Founder of His Own Company in 6 Years

I am Pavlo Kitsayev, an entrepreneur who went from working as a metal sales manager to founding my own company, «Miks Treiding». The decision to move from Luhansk to Kyiv was a turning point for me: it opened up new opportunities, introduced me to a new circle of people, and inspired me to build a business that has now been operating for more than six years, delivering major projects in the metal products and steel construction sectors.

My personal life has also been a source of important change. The birth of my daughter helped me reassess my priorities and taught me to look at the future from a different perspective. Meeting my wife was one of the most important events in my life—I found someone who is my greatest source of support. At work, I rely on discipline, energy, and the ability to keep going even in times of crisis. I believe that a business grows only when there is a strong team by its side, while a systematic approach and clients’ trust form the foundation for growth.

Today, I continue working toward new financial goals and sharing practical knowledge with other entrepreneurs. My story is an example of how personal challenges and life decisions shape the path to professional success.

The Metal Market from the Inside—and the Decision to Do Better

How did you come up with the business idea?

I started my career as a metal sales manager. Seeing how the market worked from the inside, I realized that many processes could be organized more efficiently: faster, more systematically, and with greater focus on customer needs. That is how Miks Treiding came about.

Energy, Discipline, and Perseverance—the Three Pillars of Miks Treiding

What key skills helped you launch the business?

• Energy

• Discipline

• The ability to persevere and see things through to the end

Staying Open, Weathering Cash-Flow Gaps, and Finding Your Team

What were the 3 most difficult challenges you overcame in the early years?

• Keeping the company from closing in its first years of operation.

• Getting through periods of cash-flow gaps.

• Building a team that shares common values and approaches to work.

The Metal Market and Construction: How to Survive When Demand Falls

What crises has your business faced, and how did you overcome them?

The metal market is highly dependent on the overall economic situation and the state of the construction industry. We have repeatedly gone through periods of declining demand. We met these challenges by optimizing internal processes, making decisions quickly, and maintaining a constant focus on customer needs.

A Systematic Sales Department and Major Clients—What Drove Real Growth

Which decisions proved most effective in growing the company?

• Building a systematic sales department.

• Working with major clients and large-scale projects.

• Building a strong reputation and trust in the market.

Trying to Do Everything Yourself Is an Entrepreneur’s Costliest Mistake

Which of your mistakes do you now consider your most valuable learning experience?

For a long time, I tried to do everything myself. Eventually, I realized that a business truly starts to grow only when it has a strong team and an effective division of responsibilities.

From Washing Cars to Becoming the Best Metal Sales Manager

How did you earn your first $100?

I earned it by washing cars.

How did you earn your first $1 000?

I kept doing the same work, working harder and doing a better job.

How did you earn your first $10 000?

I achieved this through working in sales and becoming one of the best metal sales managers.

How did you earn your first $100 000?

I earned it after starting my own company.

How did you earn your first $1 000 000?

That is still a goal I am working toward.

Turnkey steel structures and systems as an entrepreneur’s weapon

We deliver turnkey projects — from design to commissioning.

Your experience: how do you systematize a business?

A company should be divided into functional areas: sales; logistics; operations.

Even if the team consists of just one or two people, everyone should clearly understand their role and be responsible for a specific area. Everyone should lead their own department, even if they are currently its only employee. Without this approach, business growth is impossible.

Your experience: how do you grow x2 in a year?

You need to work not harder, but smarter. It is important to analyze more, make decisions faster, and find more effective approaches than your competitors.