Many Russians aspire to leave their current job, start their own business, and earn around 500 thousand rubles a month. This insight comes from a market study by Ozon conducted last month, with Socialbites.ca reviewing the results of the survey.
In the survey, a clear majority, 61%, expressed a wish to launch a business and work on their own terms.
More than a quarter, 27%, want to open an online store. One in six see potential in establishing a pickup or delivery point (POI), with 18% eyeing an offline store. Sixteen percent are attracted to a coffee shop venture, and 14% to a restaurant. Twelve percent aim to open their own salon or agency.
Respondents believed that starting a business would boost their income. Specifically, 77% expect to earn 500 thousand rubles per month, 12% see 500 thousand rubles, and 11% anticipate earning more than one million rubles. By comparison, 24% currently earn over 100 thousand rubles while employed, 23% earn 60–80 thousand rubles, and 13% earn around 20 thousand rubles monthly.
Nevertheless, only 6% have already quit their jobs to become entrepreneurs. The main barriers cited are a reluctance to change (59%), uncertainty about success (16%), and not knowing which niche to pursue (7%).
Additionally, 48% of respondents admitted they lack startup capital. Nine percent are ready to take out a loan, and the same percentage is saving to begin. More than a quarter, 27%, believe that successful business growth requires investments between 200,000 and 500,000 rubles; 20% would allocate up to 100,000 rubles, and 17% would invest more than a million rubles.
With the rise of telework and self-employment, many people have moved away from the traditional office routine. Before the pandemic, 65% were office workers; today, 39% are in hybrid roles, 22% work remotely, and 28% have returned to offices.
Just over half, 51%, enjoy remote work, while 37% sometimes want to return to their usual office setting, and 7% left their previous jobs altogether due to an inability to work remotely. Yet only 28% of Russians are consistently ready to work remotely. A quarter admitted they cannot organize a work environment on their own and need to go to the office at least occasionally. About one in three, 34%, would prefer a hybrid arrangement that allows visiting the office when needed.
Industry analysts also warn of strategic shifts in employment patterns through 2027, highlighting a push toward more flexible work models and entrepreneurial activity as people seek autonomy and new income streams. The overall trend points to growing interest in small business ventures across sectors, with digital commerce and service-oriented formats at the forefront. This evolving landscape reflects broader social and economic changes influencing work preferences in the region, including access to capital, financing options, and support for startup initiatives. (Source: Socialbites.ca, based on the Ozon market survey)