40 Years in Business: Adapting to the Market and Staying Successful

40 Years in Business: Adapting to the Market and Continuing to Succeed

How can you grow a business across different sectors, enter international markets and keep achieving results decades later?

In 1986, Svetlana Sharle opened her first cooperative. Since then, she has worked in international trade, real estate and the fuel business, opened two medical clinics, developed projects in China and Europe, and founded the Sarle Gallery art gallery in Tallinn. During that time, markets, technologies and business practices have changed. But Svetlana continues to find new opportunities and launch projects across different industries.

At a PRIME Business Club meeting, we’ll discuss how to adapt to change, build international partnerships and achieve results across different areas of business. We’ll also look at why reputation, personal connections and the ability to understand people can sometimes matter more than business strategies.

🔍 What we’ll discuss
▪️ Business then and now: how entrepreneurship worked in the 1980s and 1990s, and what helps businesses succeed today
▪️ International partnerships: how to find partners, build business relationships and operate in different countries
▪️ The power of reputation and connections: why trust, experience and understanding people can become a competitive advantage
▪️ A dialogue between generations: what entrepreneurs of different generations can learn from one another, and which business principles remain unchanged
▪️ New projects and results: how to adapt to change, explore new areas and keep reaching your goals

🎯 Who should attend
▪️ Entrepreneurs and executives looking for new opportunities and ways to grow their businesses in changing conditions
▪️ Business owners planning to launch new ventures or enter other industries
▪️ Anyone interested in international business, partnerships and professional connections
▪️ Entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their reputation and build long-term relationships
▪️ Anyone interested in the experience of doing business in different economic eras

🎤 Speaker
Svetlana Sharle is an entrepreneur, an honorary adviser to China, founder of Sarle Gallery in Tallinn and organiser of international cultural projects. She began her business career in 1986 by opening her first cooperative, which was connected with a swimming pool. Over four decades, she has carried out projects in real estate, trade, the fuel business, medicine and the arts. These include the children’s swimming pool “Swim Before You Walk,” two medical clinics and the Sarle Gallery art gallery. She has worked on international projects in China, Bulgaria, Germany and other countries. Today, she continues to develop business and cultural initiatives.

🕒 Event programme
18:00–18:30 — Guest arrival and networking
18:30–19:30 — 40 Years in Business: From the First Cooperatives to International Projects
19:30–20:15 — Audience questions and open discussion
20:15–20:30 — Networking and closing

We have a two-event policy: non-residents may attend two club events* to get to know the community and its members. After that, participation is possible only as a club resident. Our goal is to create not just events, but a strong entrepreneurial community where value comes from people, shared experience, trust and long-term relationships.

*Open events, such as FuckUp Night, do not count towards these events. Registration is required.