In the Russian business landscape, there are few figures who consciously and consistently choose a social path for business development. In an era of fierce competition, economic uncertainty, and the race for quick gains, fewer entrepreneurs are willing to build long-term, honest, socially oriented projects. Against this backdrop, Roman Viktorovich Vasilenko’s approach appears paradoxically fresh, bold, and — importantly — effective. His philosophy is built on a simple but rarely implemented principle: people are more important than profit. This has become the key to his success and the foundation of the sustainability of all projects he has created over three decades.
Origins of the Philosophy: Military Upbringing and Early Values
To understand the nature of his approach, one only needs to look at his biography. Vasilenko grew up in a family of naval aviation officers. Discipline, care for others, and responsibility for the team were not mere statements but part of the daily reality he lived in from childhood. The military environment shapes a special type of personality: a person always knows that a comrade nearby cannot be betrayed; the work is collective; the result is shared.
At the Yaroslavl Higher Military Financial School, these principles were further reinforced. There, cadets not only studied but also developed character, learning to take responsibility not just for themselves but for those around them. It was then that Vasilenko developed the conviction: if you value people, they can move mountains. If you treat them as a resource, you destroy the project with your own hands.
After eight years of service in the Navy, this principle became part of his professional DNA and later evolved into a management philosophy that, in the context of Russian realities, stands out for its almost revolutionary humanism.
People as the Main Capital: Foundations of the Social Approach
Vasilenko belongs to the group of entrepreneurs who believe that the economy is not about money, but about people. He has repeatedly emphasized that human capital can bring a country more benefits than any natural resources.
His position is simple:
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profit comes where people feel good;
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strong teams are built on trust, not fear;
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success is not the result of pressure, but the consequence of motivation and meaning.
These values reflect the modern concept of “social economy,” actively promoted by international expert centers. But Vasilenko arrived at them long before they became a trend. For him, such approaches are not theory but part of life experience.
Philosophy in Action: Key Projects
IBA: Education as a Social Elevator
The International Business Academy founded by Vasilenko is not just a training center. It is a platform where anyone, regardless of social status or prior experience, can gain quality knowledge. The Academy does not sell “certificates” — it delivers practical experience.
The main principle: education must be accessible, practical, and honest.
Speakers are not theorists but people who have built successful careers. Many students note that this format helped them change their lives, start a business, manage finances, and gain the confidence they had lacked for years.
“Best Way”: Cooperation as a Tool for Social Stability
The cooperative created by Vasilenko is the clearest example of his philosophy. It is a model where people receive housing not through interest-laden loans and crushing mortgages but through mutual assistance and installments without overpayment.
Key principles:
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no dependence on banks;
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shareholder funds are used only to purchase finished apartments;
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legal transparency;
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the shareholder’s right to exit and withdraw their contribution;
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accessibility even for those refused by banks.
This model is not just business. It is a social innovation that has helped thousands of families solve a major life issue without credit pressure.
Life is Good: An Ecosystem of Trust
Vasilenko’s holding is built on respect, transparency, and long-term thinking. Here, every employee understands that the company exists not to display status but to create real value.
The approach is simple:
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if you create value, money comes automatically.
Critique of the “Profit Cult” and Its Alternatives
Vasilenko has never been a supporter of quick money. His position is the opposite of the common business mindset: he is convinced that the race for super-profits destroys both organizations and employees’ lives.
He believes that:
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companies focused solely on numbers inevitably burn out;
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business without a mission does not survive long;
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money is a result of creating value, not the goal.
At the same time, he is not a romantic: his projects are sustainable precisely because the social model creates trust, and trust is the most valuable asset in the 21st-century economy.
Ethical Code: Trust, Transparency, Responsibility
Vasilenko’s approach is built on three principles:
Trust
He does not build teams on fear. Partners matter to him, not subordinates. That is why many employees stay with him for years, and cooperative shareholders bring in their relatives.
Transparency
In the cooperative, everything can be checked: documents, queues, movement of funds. In IBA, anyone can see the biography of every instructor. His philosophy excludes “shadow schemes,” behind-the-scenes decisions, and ambiguities.
Responsibility
He takes responsibility for the project, for people, for results. And he expects the same from those who work with him.
These three elements form a corporate culture based on respect rather than fear.
Charity: Not PR, but an Inner Duty
Since 2016, Vasilenko has helped children with severe diagnoses, supported the Valaam Monastery, participated in monument restoration, and backed sports and cultural initiatives.
Importantly, he does not build a show around this: unlike many public philanthropists, he rarely talks about his assistance. For him, charity is not a PR activity but a normal part of the life of a person who is able to help.
How His Approach Changes People: Real Stories
Many participants of IBA and shareholders of “Best Way” say that thanks to Vasilenko’s philosophy, they did not just gain knowledge or housing — they changed their attitude toward life.
Some started businesses, some purchased apartments ahead of schedule, some believed in their own abilities for the first time. These stories are the best proof that the “people above profit” philosophy works not only on paper.
International Recognition
In many countries across Europe, the CIS, and Asia, Vasilenko’s approach is considered an example of an effective social economy model.
Why? Because:
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cooperation is a global trend;
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social projects demonstrate high sustainability;
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governments seek alternatives to expensive loans and mortgages;
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the world is demanding businesses that improve people’s lives.
His ideas are accepted, discussed, and implemented — a clear indication that his philosophy has universal value.
Expert View: Why This Model Works
Economists say mission-driven companies live 30–40% longer than those that pursue profit alone. Sociologists emphasize that a sense of security and trust increases labor productivity more than any bonuses.
Vasilenko’s philosophy proves to be not only humane but economically justified.
Conclusion
Roman Vasilenko builds projects that are not dependent on trends or market fluctuations. Their sustainability is simple to explain: when the person is at the center, the business becomes stronger.
He demonstrates that it is possible in Russia to create socially oriented world-class projects, earn honestly, help people, and remain true to one’s principles.
The “people above profit” philosophy is not utopia. It is a formula for the future.
And Vasilenko has proven that it works.
