Leaving a managerial position in Ireland to become a Latvian entrepreneur

Take note – story published 4 years ago

Father of three Armands Džeriņš moved back to Liepāja after 13 years in Ireland to start his own metalworks company in Latvia, according to a Latvian Radio broadcast on February 12.

Džeriņš is still at the beginning of his business journey, as Armsol Metāls has only been operational for a few months. He does all the metalworks himself, which means long hours for the budding company, but he got his start in metalworks when he went to visit a friend in Ireland and ended up working for a small family metalworks business.

“After eight, ten years I already became the company manager, the director's right hand. In 2005 it was already so, that foreigners could only get the jobs that locals didn't want to do, but yes, from a worker I became team leader, shop manager, etc.,” said Džeriņš.

When he returned to Latvia he knew he could find a job because of his experience. The metalworker began working for Danish company RT Metāls, which was the next steppingstone to creating his own business. 

The hardest part for the new entrepreneur was getting accommodated to the bureaucracy and taxes, as well as the general pessimism in society. Džeriņš started his company with European Union financing and by investing his own money, especially with the help of a good accountant.

“I always knew that sooner or later I'm going to create my own company. After a year and a half I understood – let's do it now, now! “Armsol”  – is a combination of my name and my wife Solvita's name. She's alway supported me very much,” said Džeriņš.  

In Latvia he is most concerned about the lack of a qualified workforce, as well as the tax policy. “In my opinion there should be tax breaks for the minimum of a year. When a person has rebounded, the State Revenue Service sees that the person is capable of paying taxes, then we will pay as well,” said the entrepreneur.

Džeriņš took the final decision to return when one of his children turned 12 and had to change schools. He considered this to be a milestone – it was now or never.

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