Building a business is never a decision made overnight. Behind it are years of hard work, accumulated experience, and determination to achieve set goals. The entrepreneurial journey of Ermek Karimovich

Iklasov, founder of Golden Maken, a furniture manufacturing company based in Almaty Region, has also gone through several important stages.

Ermek Iklasov was born in 1973. He began his professional career in road construction, where he worked in the field for several years. In the early 2000s, after moving to Almaty, he decided to pursue entrepreneurship and establish his own business.

In 2010, Ermek Iklasov founded Golden Maken and began operating from a rented facility in Almaty. At the initial stage, the company specialized in upholstered furniture manufacturing. Starting with a small team, the business gradually expanded, along with its production capabilities.

“I tried working in market trade as well. But you cannot achieve the same progress as you can when you have your own production,” says the entrepreneur.

One of the important milestones in the development of the business was the acquisition in 2008 of a one-hectare plot of land in the village of Shamalgan. The site later became the foundation for the development of the company’s own production base.

In 2014, the entrepreneur received support from the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund in Almaty Region for the first time. The funds were used to construct a production facility and expand the business.

In 2016, the company received support from the Damu Fund for the second time through a preferential lending program. The financing enabled the company to purchase the necessary equipment and replenish its working capital.

In 2025, as part of the production equipment had become outdated, the company once again sought government support to modernize its production facilities. Under the Orleu Program of the Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund in Almaty Region, Golden Maken received financing for the third time at an interest rate of 12.6% through Bereke bank.

According to Ermek Karimovich, one of the key advantages of Damu programs is the opportunity for entrepreneurs to access financing on favorable terms and at a lower interest rate.

Today, Golden Maken is one of the companies that has established a full-cycle furniture manufacturing process. The company produces a wide range of furniture and also accepts custom orders based on the individual needs and preferences of its customers. The company employs 25 people, while its production base covers a total area of 4,000 square meters.

The company manufactures doors, staircases, tables, chairs, kitchen furniture, bedroom furniture, children's slides, hallway furniture and other products. In addition, Golden Maken produces custom-made furniture according to each customer's dimensions, requirements and preferences.

The company places particular emphasis on product quality. Its manufacturing process uses natural wood, including elm, as well as laminated chipboard (LDSP), MDF and acrylic. The company's production capacity allows it to handle large-scale orders while maintaining quality control throughout every stage of manufacturing.

Golden Maken holds an ST-KZ industrial certificate, confirming the company's status as a domestic manufacturing enterprise. The company is also included in the Kazakhstan Register of Commodity Producers (KTP). This confirms its status as a domestic manufacturer producing goods within Kazakhstan.

Golden Maken supplies its products not only to major cities across Kazakhstan but also to markets throughout the CIS. The company has established business relationships with partners in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as Germany.

Golden Maken products are also available in Almaty at the Armada Trade House.

The company handles both custom and large-volume orders. Its full-cycle manufacturing process enables it to maintain quality control and fulfill orders in accordance with established requirements.

In addition to its manufacturing activities, the company regularly participates in charitable initiatives and provides assistance to people in need.

According to Ermek Iklasov, the core principles of his entrepreneurial journey are honest work, perseverance and effective cost management.

“The most important thing is to work honestly. Only continuous hard work brings results. I have been in this business for 16 years, and I have been developing my own production for more than 10 years. We should not stop because of inflation — we should continue striving to develop our business,” the entrepreneur says.

For those who are just starting their entrepreneurial journey, Ermek Iklasov recommends calculating production costs accurately and managing expenses efficiently. In his view, controlling the cost of production is one of the key factors in maintaining business competitiveness.

What once began in a small rented facility in Almaty has grown into a manufacturing company with a 4,000-square-meter production base, a team of 25 employees, an ST-KZ industrial certificate, KTP registration, and access to the markets of the CIS countries.

Golden Maken is a Kazakhstani furniture manufacturing company with 16 years of experience, established production capacity and a strong commitment to sustainable growth.

Address: Almaty Region, Karasay District, Shamalgan village

Tel.: +7 702 149 2859

E-mail: goldenmaken@bk.ru

Instagram: mebel_golden_maken