‘It's harder for a woman to do business than for a man, especially if it is a ‘man's' business," Yelena Vlasova confided. "For example, a male boss can improve his relations with the mainly women tax inspectors by giving them a box of chocolates … a bottle of champagne. This doesn't work for me."

But Vlasova believes traditionally feminine qualities such as intuition and caution help women in business. "Women can brace themselves faster and are more capable of clear thinking in a crucial situation. Men are more reckless in business, more inclined to take risks," she says.

Yelena Vlasova describes herself as a calm and practical optimist. She graduated from Novosibirsk Musical College in 1987. From 1987 to 1994, she worked as a music teacher in a special music high school and a regular high school. In 1994-1997, she played in a military orchestra.

In 1998, one year after she left the military orchestra, Vlasova founded first company, Atay, for dog training and breeding.

"During that year, the idea of forming a company never left my mind. I wanted to work with clients on the basis of signed contracts because it is more secure," she says.

Vlasova said starting her canine business wasn't easy.

"Our company was organized with no thanks to anything, and regardless of everything – regardless of the skeptics around. I was scared to invest my own money in an uncertain situation. Starting the second company – Asguard – happened to be easier. Step by step, our company has found its own face and its own place on the market," she said.

Vlasova says that today, her business is one of her reasons to live. "My life might stop if my business isn't in it."

Vlasova, who has a 10-year-old son, said a businesswoman cannot brush aside her family responsibilities, but that to have a complete life, a woman needs to love her occupation. "Work is a priority, but you shouldn't sacrifice your family. It is impossible for a woman to be fulfilled as a person only in a family."