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Success Story: SilkGate Consulting – Winner of the Women’s Leadership Excellence Award
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Visionest Institute continues the Success Story series, celebrating the journeys of our alumni and the achievements they accomplished throughout the Export Consultant Mastery Programme 2025-2026. In this edition, we highlight the journey of SilkGate Consulting.
Bringing together Ketevan Agoshashvili, Lily Begiashvili, Maka Chachibaia, Gvantsa Kvintradze, and Rusudan Tepnadze, SilkGate Consulting brought together expertise in business development, international sales, tax consulting, and policy and regulatory affairs. Throughout the programme, the team combined diverse professional perspectives with a shared commitment to supporting businesses in international markets, strengthening their consultancy skills through practical assignments, international collaboration, and real company cases. Their dedication, teamwork, and leadership were recognized with the Women’s Leadership Excellence Award presented at the graduation ceremony in Tallinn.
Q: Could you briefly introduce yourselves, share your professional backgrounds, and tell us what inspired you to join this nine-month program?
Rusudan Tepnadze:
Co-founder, SilkGate Consulting / Marketing and Social media Expert
“I joined this programme first of all as an entrepreneur. At the same time, my professional background is mainly in marketing, and over the years I became increasingly interested not just in promotion, but in how businesses grow beyond their local market and position themselves internationally. That is why export marketing became especially interesting for me – I wanted to understand it in a deeper, more practical, and more structured way. ”
Q: What was your main motivation for participating in the programme, and what expectations did you have at the beginning of the journey?
Rusudan Tepnadze:
“My main motivation was to deepen my understanding of export development and especially export marketing in a more practical and structured way. Because of my background in marketing, I was already interested in how companies grow, how they position themselves, and how they enter new markets, but I wanted to understand these processes much more deeply from an international business perspective.
At the beginning, I expected the programme to give me useful tools and a stronger framework for working with export-related topics. What made the experience especially valuable was that the learning was not theoretical. Throughout the programme, we worked on real company cases, real market questions, and practical assignments, which helped us immediately apply what we were learning.
This made the journey much more meaningful. We were not only discussing export strategy in general terms, but actually trying to use it in practice / through market research, targeting, positioning, and concrete business recommendations. That practical side was one of the most valuable parts of the programme for me. ”
Q: The programme was highly intensive and brought together experts, mentors, and professionals from different sectors. How would you describe your overall experience, and what were the most valuable lessons or skills you gained?
Gvantsa Kvintradze:
Co-founder, SilkGate Consulting / Business Development and Marketing Expert
“The intensity of the program was one of its greatest strengths. It challenged us to think strategically, work under real deadlines, and constantly apply new knowledge in practice. Every module added another piece to the bigger picture of export development, from market analysis and international positioning to customer research and business strategy.
For me, the most valuable part was learning how to approach export projects in a structured and consultancy-oriented way. The programme helped me strengthen my analytical thinking and gave me practical frameworks that I already apply in my daily work with businesses. Beyond knowledge, it also expanded my professional network and showed how much can be achieved through collaboration with experienced mentors and ambitious professionals. ”
Q: What was the most challenging part of the journey for your team, and how did you overcome it?
Gvantsa Kvintradze:
“One of the biggest challenges was balancing the intensive programme with our professional responsibilities. Each of us was managing our own career while simultaneously working on demanding assignments, international visits, and team projects. We overcame this by building strong communication and trust within the team. We divided responsibilities according to each person’s strengths, supported one another during busy periods, and always stayed focused on our common goal. Looking back, those challenges actually made us stronger as a team and taught us how to collaborate more effectively under pressure. ”
Q: Your team was formed within the framework of the programme. How was the experience of working together, facing challenges as a team, and building collaboration throughout the process?
Gvantsa Kvintradze:
“Although we joined the programme as individuals, we quickly became a team united by shared values and a common ambition to grow professionally. What I appreciated most was that everyone was willing to contribute, listen, and support each other regardless of their background or expertise.Throughout the programme, we learned how to combine different perspectives into one strategy, make decisions together, and transform challenges into opportunities. By the end of the journey, our collaboration had grown beyond the programme itself, and I believe this is one of its most valuable outcomes. ”
Q: During the graduation ceremony, your team received a special award recognizing your achievements. What does this recognition mean to you, and what do you think contributed most to your success?
Maka Chachibaia:
Co-founder, SilkGate Consulting / International Sales and Export Manager
“Receiving the Women’s Leadership Excellence Award was a truly meaningful moment for me. Beyond recognizing our team’s achievements, it represented the values that made this journey so special-trust, collaboration, and women supporting one another. Being part of the only all-women team in the program was an inspiring experience. What began as a group of participants gradually became a close-knit team, and eventually, genuine friendships. Personally, it reminded me how much can be achieved when people create an environment built on empathy, openness, and mutual respect.
Another highlight for me was meeting women leaders across different industries. Seeing that six of the seven companies we visited were led by women was incredibly motivating. Their passion, resilience, and authenticity reinforced my belief that great leadership is about purpose, not position.
This award also reminded me that success is rarely an individual achievement. I believe our greatest strength was our willingness to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and grow together. For me, this recognition is a lasting reminder that the strongest teams are built on trust, shared values, and the ability to lift others along the way. ”
Q: Throughout the programme, you had the opportunity to learn and collaborate with professionals from different countries and cultural backgrounds. How would you describe this experience, and what role did networking play in your journey?
Maka Chachibaia:
“One of the greatest strengths of this program, for me, was its international nature. Learning alongside professionals from different countries, industries, and cultural backgrounds gave me the opportunity to see challenges and opportunities from entirely new perspectives. What surprised me most was discovering how much we actually had in common. Despite coming from three different countries, we shared similar values, mindsets, and a genuine commitment to learning and professional growth.
Networking became one of the most valuable parts of my journey. While I learned a great deal from the mentors, I also learned just as much from my fellow participants. We openly exchanged ideas, experiences, and perspectives, while also introducing each other to our cultures, approaches to teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
Looking back, one of the biggest takeaways for me was realizing that diversity is a strength. When people from different backgrounds come together with curiosity and openness, they create lasting relationships that continue to inspire and support each other long after the program ends. ”
Q: Now that you have completed the programme, what are your next steps as a team, and how do you plan to apply the knowledge and experience gained throughout the programme in practice?
Ketevan Agoshashvili:
Co-founder, SilkGate Consulting /International Tax Consultant
“Completing the programme is not the end of our journey-it is the beginning of putting everything we have learned into practice. As a team, we plan to continue developing SilkGate Consulting by supporting companies that want to expand into international markets through export consulting, market research, and strategic business development.
The experience we gained has given us practical methodologies, international perspectives, and greater confidence to help businesses make informed export decisions. Our goal is to transform the knowledge acquired throughout the programme into measurable results for companies seeking sustainable international growth. ”
Q: How has the programme influenced your perspective on export development, and how do you see your role in strengthening export opportunities for your country and within European markets in the future?
Ketevan Agoshashvili:
“The programme fundamentally changed the way I see export development. I now understand that successful exporting is not only about entering new markets, but about building long-term competitiveness, creating value for customers, and developing sustainable international partnerships.
I see my role as helping Georgian businesses become better prepared for international expansion by providing strategic guidance, market insights, and practical solutions. I believe that by supporting more companies in reaching European markets, we can contribute not only to individual business success but also to strengthening Georgia’s export potential and international reputation.”
Q: Looking back at the past nine months, how has this experience changed you personally and professionally?
Rusudan Tepnadze:
“Looking back at these nine months, I can say that this experience changed me both professionally and personally, but also helped me see much more clearly how learning, teamwork, and practical business work come together.
Professionally, the programme gave me a more structured understanding of export development. Because of my background in marketing, I was already familiar with communication, positioning, and business growth, but this experience helped me connect those areas much more deeply with export strategy, market research, customer targeting, and practical consulting work. What was especially valuable is that we did not keep this knowledge only at a theoretical level. Throughout the programme, we worked on real company cases and practical assignments, which made the learning process much more meaningful. It allowed us to test ideas, apply frameworks, and think in a more realistic way about how businesses can enter and grow in international markets.
Personally, the programme gave me more confidence and motivation. It reminded me that growth becomes more powerful when learning is connected to action. Overall, this journey helped me develop not only as an individual, but also as part of a team that is now trying to continue this path and turn knowledge into real consulting practice. ”
Q: Would you recommend this programme to other professionals interested in developing their expertise in export and international business? What advice would you give to future participants before starting such an intensive journey?
Lily Begiashvili:
Co-founder, SilkGate Consulting / Policy and Regulatory Expert
“Without hesitation, I would recommend this program to anyone who is serious about building expertise in export development and international business. What makes this program unique is the combination of practical application, international expertise, teamwork, and exposure to real-world business challenges. It pushes participants beyond their comfort zones and encourages them to think strategically, critically, and globally.
My advice to future participants would be simple: approach the program with curiosity, openness, and commitment. Do not focus solely on completing assignments – focus on extracting every possible lesson from the experience. Engage actively with mentors, challenge your assumptions, learn from your peers, and embrace the intensity of the process. The more you invest in the journey, the more transformative it becomes. Most importantly, remember that the program is not just about exports; it is about developing a mindset that prepares you to operate confidently in an increasingly interconnected global economy. ”
Q: Finally, if you had to describe this entire journey in one word or one sentence, what would it be?
Lily Begiashvili:
“If I had to describe this entire journey in one sentence, I would say:
“This program transformed our perspective from seeing exports as transactions across borders to understanding them as bridges between people, ideas, innovation, and economic opportunity.”
Over the course of this journey, we gained far more than technical knowledge and practical tools. We learned how to think strategically, navigate complexity, collaborate across cultures, and approach international markets with confidence and purpose. The experience challenged us, inspired us, and reinforced our belief that meaningful export development is not only about helping businesses grow – it is about creating lasting connections, opening new possibilities, and contributing to the long-term competitiveness and prosperity of our country. For us, this was not simply a training program; it was a catalyst for professional growth, new ambitions, and a deeper commitment to building stronger links between local businesses and global markets.”
The journey of SilkGate Consulting reflects what the Export Consultants Mastery Programme 2025-2026 was designed to achieve – bringing together professionals from different fields, encouraging them to learn from one another, and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to help businesses succeed in international markets.
As part of a fully funded nine-month international learning experience supported by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), the programme brought together 32 professionals from Georgia, Ukraine, and Estonia. Through expert-led training, international study visits, and hands-on consultancy work, participants strengthened both their professional expertise and their ability to collaborate across borders.
Throughout the programme, the SilkGate Consulting team worked on real business cases, developing practical export solutions and strategic recommendations for companies looking to expand internationally. By combining expertise in marketing, business development, international sales, tax consulting, and policy and regulatory affairs, the team demonstrated the value of diverse perspectives, strong collaboration, and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful results. Their efforts were recognised with the Women’s Leadership Excellence Award during the graduation ceremony in Tallinn.
Through the Success Story series, Visionest Institute continues to highlight the inspiring professionals behind the programme – individuals who embraced new challenges, built lasting professional relationships, and turned learning into practical impact for businesses and communities.
Although the programme has officially concluded, the experience continues to shape the team’s work as they further develop SilkGate Consulting, strengthen international partnerships, and support companies on their export journey.
Stay tuned as we continue sharing the stories of this remarkable international cohort.
