Nurbol Bekbotaev, 34, from Shardara, South-Kazakhstan region
The founder of the “Bekbota” butchery
On the starting point
We started the butchery four months ago. Initially we were supplying restaurant chains with meat. Single restaurants were unprofitable to be served, but many wanted to cooperate with us. We were thinking over the matter not to lose clients, and eventually came up with the idea to open a butcher shop.
While traveling all over Europe last year I was searching for unusual shops. In Barcelona I saw the butchery with meat not only sold, but cooked as well. The idea of people trying the product on the spot seemed great to me.
Coming back to Kazakhstan, we hired a specialist and developed the butchery’s design. To be honest, it was scary. I was afraid that the concept wouldn’t fit local tastes. Anyway, pace has picked up.
Today most single restaurants buy meat at out butchery.
On Meat
We sell horse meat, lamb, beef and camel meat. Due to the high consumption we have to supply meat from farms in northern and southern Kazakhstan as well. All the supplied products undergo a thorough check, they must be halal.
We prepare steaks from marble beef Black Angus and bulls of Kazakh white-headed breed, make medallions, cutlets and sausages. All the meat is delicious and tender. People can also order a pickled shish-kebab, however, the order needs to be done a day before so that we can prepare it. Our butchery provides customers with all the necessary stuff for barbecues: we sell coal, rent charcoal grilles.
As for the prices, a kg of meat costs 5000 thousand tenge, a ready-made steak costs 2500 thousand tenge. One stick of sausage costs 1500 thousand tenge, a kg is 2200. The prices for cutlets are the same.
On ways to become popular
No matter how quality meat is, people should find out about it firstly. We co-work with vine stars, as they have a large audience in Instagram. They’re my friends. They’ve been advertising us since the launching as people should know about quality meat products.
It’s worth noting that the "Bekbota" butchery is the first where you can buy and taste the meat on the spot. Such an unusual and convenient way of selling meat is popular with people, therefore those who come once often become regular customers.
On plans
We’re planning to open several branches in the city. Now one more “Bekbota” butchery is under construction. We’re to change and add some new things to each new shop. However, affordable prices and high quality will remain unchanged.
Now many copy us and open similar butcheries, which is amazing. Anyway, I’m sure we’ll always be one step ahead of them.
