The Delicate Balance Between Career and Family

Hello, theBClog readers! I’m Oksana Iafasova, writing to you from Borusan Cat Kyrgyzstan. I’ve wanted to write something personal for a while now, but I kept putting it off. I usually focus on other people’s stories, but this time I want to share my own journey.

My Borusan Cat adventure started back in 2010 — Wow. 15 years and countless memories ago! By education, I graduated from the Construction University. After finishing university and gaining experience, I found myself in the tourism industry, where my passion for travel truly took off. But, hands down, my most unforgettable experiences have been here, at Borusan Cat.

I started as the office manager at Borusan Cat’s Kyrgyzstan office. Thanks to Borusan Cat’s people-centric work principles and personalized development programs, I’ve had the chance to grow in many areas throughout my 15-year journey. In the early years, I was asked to combine the roles of office manager and SMCS administrator. It was a significant responsibility, but also an exciting challenge. Over the years, I’ve held various positions—from office manager to equipment sales and strategic marketing supervisor. The challenges I faced along the way only made me stronger. My first business trips were to Karaganda and then to Almaty, where I witnessed firsthand the scale and strength of Borusan Cat. What impressed me most was how Borusan felt like one big family, unaffected by the distance, despite being spread across different regions.

At Borusan Cat, my responsibilities cover event organization, building relationships with key customer, and conducting site visits—roles that have given me invaluable experience and supported my personal growth. I genuinely believe Borusan Cat’s greatest strength is its people; my colleagues have taught me so much along the way.

When I first started, our office was a cozy apartment in the city center. We were a small team, but the atmosphere was incredibly warm and welcoming. My love for animals is a big part of who I am, and back then, we even had cats and dogs in the office, which only added to the warmth. Beyond work, I’ve long been a volunteer with “Caring Hands,” an animal rescue organization here in Kyrgyzstan, where I do my best to support animals in need.

In my spare time, I love to travel and stay active. In my younger years, I played tennis and swam professionally. I’ve also got an interest in football. I once had the chance to visit a stadium in Barcelona, which was an unforgettable experience.

Looking back on my Borusan Cat career, my greatest achievements 15 years have been my family, my children, and my professional development. I had all three of my children while working at Borusan Cat, and I’m so grateful to my managers for supporting me in balancing motherhood and my career.

Finally, I want to highlight the wonderful people I’ve encountered at Borusan Cat. Every new colleague has reminded me just how valuable our team is, and it’s clear that our company’s most important asset is its people. I’m grateful to share this part of my journey with you, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Oksana Iafasova

Oksana joined Borusan Cat Kyrgyzstan back in 2010 as an Office Manager, and today she leads as the Sales Support and Strategic Marketing Supervisor. Over the past 15 years, she’s taken on various roles and consistently proven herself to be driven, responsible, and versatile — a true team player and a strong leader.

Balancing a thriving career with motherhood, Oksana has shown how dedication can lead to success both at work and at home.

Outside the office, she’s passionate about animals, loves swimming and traveling, and holds a special place in her heart for sports.