Workspaces: Nikolay Shestakov, Partner at the Online Household Services Platform YouDo.com

In an exclusive interview, Nikolay Shestakov, partner at YouDo.com, opens up about embracing minimalism in his workspace and backpack, his fascination with pandas, and his remarkable weight loss journey of 50 pounds.

Nikolay Shestakov

An investor and partner at the online household services platform YouDo.com, Nikolay is also a co-founder of the performance marketing agency Adventum. Prior to this, he spent 11 years as a Client Relations Director at Yandex.

What does your work entail?

For the past four years, my focus has been on creating new business projects, identifying the right people to bring them to life, inspiring them with ideas, and supporting their growth.

From the outside, it might look like I’m just reading and replying to emails. :)

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

I consider myself left-brained with a strong mathematical mindset, though I dislike repetitive tasks like working with Excel.

I am a results-driven person.

Monotonous and prolonged processes drain me quickly, which is a significant weakness I’m aware of and actively working to overcome.

I’m always punctual, which is both a strength and a challenge since I have to schedule extra time as not all partners share this trait.

Describe your workspace

I have a private office, but I spend little time there. Most of my day is filled with offsite meetings, negotiations, and frequent flights.

As a student, my desk was always cluttered. My grandfather once told me that the state of your desk reflects the state of your mind and thoughts.

Now, my desk holds only essentials — a laptop, current documents, a mobile phone, and mineral water.

At home and in my office, I use Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay A9 speakers. Their retro design and exceptional sound help me relax when my mind is overloaded. I often play light genres like acid jazz, lounge, and downtempo.

Also, I have a large collection of pandas everywhere.

From life-sized leather pandas weighing 44 pounds to robot pandas, panda-themed car seat covers, and collectible Chinese panda coins — this once playful nickname has led to panda gifts arriving from all over the world.

What gadgets do you use?

I admit I’m a serious devotee of Steve Jobs’ legacy, often justifying my gadget upgrades. Lately, though, it’s harder to find good reasons as gadgets aren’t as revolutionary as before.

My essential tech gear includes:

• MacBook Pro 13" — my primary work tool, recently upgraded after years with a 13" MacBook Air.
• Two iPhone 7 devices — one with a Moscow number and another with a European number. I prefer this over dual-SIM Chinese phones due to battery life and my unsuccessful attempts to switch to Android.
• iPad Pro — acquired recently and highly valued, especially with the Apple Pencil for quick note-taking, document editing, and reading.
• Apple AirPods — wireless earbuds perfect for hands-free calls, workouts, and focused computer work. They fit comfortably even in my uniquely shaped ears.
• Bose QuietComfort 35 — noise-cancelling headphones bought in the US, invaluable for long flights by significantly reducing external noise.

What software do you rely on?

My laptop essentials include:

1. Email client.
2. Messengers such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram.
3. Multiple browsers including Tor, which allows access to websites regardless of regional restrictions.
4. Calendar and synchronized to-do lists shared with my assistant for efficient scheduling and task management.
5. Things and OmniFocus — I’m testing both to find the best fit for business processes.
6. Keynote and PowerPoint — used regularly for presentations at conferences, forums, and universities like HSE, GUU, Synergy, and Skolkovo.

My phone hosts over 400 apps. I review App Store top charts weekly to stay updated on trending applications.

What’s in your bag?

I apply minimalism to my bag’s contents just as in my work process.

Over the last three years, my bag’s size has shrunk threefold. Each new bag was a gift from a partner, and I initially thought it would be too small, but quickly adapted to carrying only essentials — laptop, phone, iPad, wallet, documents, and an extra charger.

For trips, I prefer the Cote & Ciel backpack — spacious and well-organized.

Besides the basics, I carry one or two charging cables, eye drops, nasal spray, essential medications, my passport, a multi-adapter for various electrical outlets, wipes, and thermal water.

Recently, I acquired a DJI Mavic Pro drone. Once proficient, I plan to take it along to capture stunning aerial photos and videos.

How do you manage your time?

I’m naturally a night owl aspiring to become an early riser — sometimes successfully.

All meetings and tasks are strictly scheduled in my digital calendar.

I can’t imagine using paper planners nowadays.

My calendar syncs with my assistant’s and key team members’ devices, enabling seamless coordination and quick visibility of availability.

While not a delegation expert, I believe in surrounding myself with smarter people, building strong teams, and overseeing results.

What role does fitness play in your life?

Fitness has been inconsistent. :)

Between August and December last year, I lost 50 pounds through regular exercise and healthy eating. I didn’t invent new methods but changed my diet by minimizing carbs, especially fast-absorbing ones, fats, and sweets.

I aimed to visit the gym twice weekly for cardio and swimming. My trainer discouraged intense workouts but insisted on walking 10,000 steps daily. This goal made me a familiar sight in Moscow City's Afimall, wandering between shops for one to two hours daily.

However, the New Year brought weight gain, undoing much of the progress.

I’m now recommitting to a healthy diet and exercise — a new challenge and goal.

Life Hacks from Nikolay Shestakov

Books

Interacting with insightful people is more valuable to me than any book, yet I still read regularly.

I highlight favorite ideas and make notes, especially in business literature. I even maintain a personal 'useful reading index' calculated by the ratio of interesting insights to the total pages in a book.

I recommend "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach — a wise fable that encourages reflection on life’s purpose, creation, legacy, and joy.

Films and Videos

I enjoy films with a lasting impression. Recent favorites include "Perfect Strangers," "Collateral Beauty," and "Youth."

My favorite series are "Silicon Valley," "The Big Bang Theory," "Game of Thrones," "Homeland," and "Billions."

I’m fascinated by YouTube’s rise, which is reshaping traditional media. I subscribe to top channels, excluding very child-focused content, and follow business channels like "Life of a Businesswoman" and "Transformer."

What is your life motto?

My life motto? I prefer to keep it a secret. :)

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