We were lucky to catch up with Dimitriy Wolf recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dimitriy, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

I never intended to build a business. In the beginning, everything I did was a form of self-employment — organizing educational events, crafting workshops, and occasionally sharing my expertise at forums or company masterclasses. My world was simple: I viewed growth through the narrow lens of my own skills and competencies. To scale meant knowing more, performing better, and ultimately becoming more valuable as an expert.

So, I was deeply focused on myself — sharpening my skills, refining my craft. But with every day and every project, my self-driven work began to look suspiciously like a business. New layers of complexity emerged: client management, promotional materials, marketing, corporate communications, and PR.

At first, I tried to manage everything myself. After all, isn’t that what an ambitious, hard-working professional does? But as my work expanded, so did the demands. The realization struck me: employees were no longer optional. They were a necessity.

Wearing Every Hat: The Reluctant Business Owner

While I stubbornly resisted the idea of running a business — convincing myself I was merely self-employed — reality forced me to wear every possible hat in the process. I became a designer, crafting visuals for events and promotions. I became a copywriter, piecing together the perfect messages to engage my audience. I turned into a marketer, a salesperson, a call handler, a bookkeeper, and even my own coach.

Every role, every task, I took on myself. And surprisingly, I got good at it — not because I wanted to, but because I had no choice. Of course, I never saw myself as a professional in all these areas. But when you’re juggling everything, you learn enough to make things work.

Then came the time to hire. At first, I thought this would be liberating — finally, someone to take over the tasks eating up my time. Instead, it became one of the most painful parts of my journey. Why? Because no one ever did things my way.

The designs weren’t quite right. The messages didn’t sound like me. The marketing lacked a certain edge. And every time someone fell short of my vision, it stung. Each failed hire reinforced a toxic illusion — that the “right people” simply didn’t exist. At least not for my business. Maybe they were out there for someone else’s company, but certainly not for mine.

It became a vicious cycle. I’d bring someone in, feel disappointed when they couldn’t meet my invisible standards, and let them go. Over and over again. Hiring wasn’t just about finding talent — it was about letting go of control. And at that stage, letting go felt nearly impossible.

The Illusion of the Perfect Owner

They say that when all you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail. For a business owner who has worn every hat, this “hammer” becomes the illusion of perfection — the belief that you do everything better, even if it slows you down to the pace of a snail.

I lived in that illusion for a long time. The root of it wasn’t arrogance; it was my lack of skills in hiring, delegation, and building systems. I didn’t realize this at first. Instead, I cycled through teams, feeling disappointed and frustrated.

But as the mistakes piled up, clarity emerged — the problem was me. I had spent my entire life teaching and mastering communication, yet I had neglected one critical form of it: delegation.

Thankfully, business education already existed. The tools to fix these gaps were out there, and as I learned, I saw a fundamental problem: people often come to business education too late. By then, their businesses have solidified, and their mindsets have fossilized. While firm beliefs can be a strength, they’re often a liability when it comes to growth.

From Realization to SmartExpert

As I grappled with these realizations, an idea was born — one rooted in solving the very issues I had faced. Between 2019 and 2020, I had access to an early version of GPT as part of my work as a researcher. Even then, I recognized the potential: AI was a goldmine. That’s when I first imagined a solution — a system that could automate skill assessment, pre-onboarding, and employee training, transforming the way companies educate and integrate their teams.

Back then, though, the technology wasn’t ready. And then life took its turn — war broke out in Ukraine, and I found myself in the United States, starting over from scratch.

But sometimes, starting over gives you a chance to build things right. I knew the time had come.

That’s how SmartExpert was born. We developed our own linguistic model capable of transforming a business owner’s expertise — or that of any key team member — into an educational course. A course that could train employees, automate onboarding, and clearly communicate a company’s mission, values, and vision. More importantly, it didn’t just “train” people — it engaged them, connecting employees to the heart of the business.

The Takeaways: Turning Personal Problems into Global Solutions

Every personal problem holds the seed of a solution — not just a private fix, but a business idea that can change the world. My struggles with delegation, hiring, and scaling weren’t just challenges; they were opportunities to create something meaningful.

Self-reflection and honest self-assessment are critical for every entrepreneur. It’s not enough to analyze the market or the people around you — the hardest and most important analysis is of yourself. When the world seems broken, when systems feel flawed, the first step is to look inward. Where is your focus? What knowledge, skills, and abilities do you lack?

The truth is, before you can change the world, you need to change yourself. And once you do, the lessons learned can be transformed into products, tools, and solutions that help everyone.

SmartExpert was born from this very principle — a personal journey turned into a tool that simplifies education, empowers teams, and helps businesses thrive.

Change starts with you. But its impact doesn’t have to stop there.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

About Me and My Work

I’m Dmitriy Wolf, a public speaking and communication expert, entrepreneur, and coach with over 15 years of experience in helping individuals and businesses develop exceptional communication skills. My journey into this field wasn’t conventional — I didn’t start with natural confidence or a silver tongue. Growing up, I often felt like an outsider, constantly adapting to new environments, which taught me how critical communication is for building relationships, trust, and influence. That experience sparked my passion for mastering the art of communication and teaching others to do the same.

I’ve trained over 15,000 people across Europe and the U.S., including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, investors, engineers, and public figures. I’ve shared the stage with President Zelensky and helped well-known politicians, musicians, and TV hosts refine their public speaking skills. My work centers on teaching individuals and teams to present ideas with clarity, confidence, and conviction, whether it’s on stage, in the boardroom, or in front of the camera.

What I Do
I offer:

Public Speaking Coaching – From overcoming stage fright to delivering powerful presentations that resonate with any audience.
Pitch Training – I help clients craft and present investment pitches that attract capital, raising millions of dollars in funding.
Corporate Communication Programs – Focused on negotiation, leadership, sales, and team communication.
Time & Task Management Solutions – Helping individuals maximize productivity and control their schedules.
Emotional Self-Regulation – Techniques to manage stress, stay focused, and increase personal effectiveness.
Learnability & Erudition Development – Building skills to absorb knowledge faster, enhance memory, and think critically.
What Sets Me Apart
I combine a deep theoretical foundation with a no-nonsense, results-driven approach. My programs are tailored for real-world scenarios, blending practical techniques with psychological insights to create transformative outcomes. Unlike generic training solutions, I dive into the root challenges — mindset, cognitive patterns, and emotional barriers — to help my clients unlock their full potential.

Problems I Solve
Fear of public speaking and lack of confidence
Inability to structure presentations or pitches effectively
Inefficient communication within teams or during negotiations
Overwhelm from poor time/task management
Limited emotional self-regulation leading to burnout or low productivity
What I’m Most Proud Of
I take pride in seeing my clients step onto a stage, speak in front of thousands, or secure investment funding they once thought impossible. Helping people transform from hesitant communicators into confident leaders is what drives me every day. I’m also proud of my ability to connect with diverse audiences, making complex topics accessible, engaging, and impactful.

What You Should Know
When you work with me, you’re not just learning communication techniques — you’re investing in a new mindset, one that empowers you to influence, lead, and succeed in any environment. Whether you’re pitching a groundbreaking idea, leading a team, or building a personal brand, I’ll equip you with the tools to communicate with clarity and impact.

For me, communication isn’t just a skill — it’s the foundation of success.

Other Entrepreneurial Ventures
Beyond my work in public speaking and communication coaching, I am actively involved in two other dynamic projects that reflect my passion for innovation, leadership, and business growth:

Smart Expert
Smart Expert is an advanced educational infrastructure platform designed to create scalable and effective corporate learning environments. Combining cutting-edge technology with AI-driven tools, Smart Expert enables businesses to develop tailored training programs that maximize employee productivity and skill acquisition. Whether it’s public speaking, leadership development, or technical expertise, Smart Expert provides companies with the systems to implement, track, and optimize their learning processes. I take pride in helping organizations invest in their teams and achieve measurable growth through structured, intelligent education.

Azure Yacht Group
As a co-founder of Azure Yacht Group, I’m deeply involved in shaping the future of modern yachting. Azure specializes in the construction and development of innovative hybrid yachts that blend luxury with sustainability. We’ve secured a $5.5 million state grant for a shipyard construction project in Florida, positioning us to deliver high-performance yachts tailored to a new generation of forward-thinking owners. This project represents a perfect synergy of cutting-edge engineering, refined design, and a commitment to environmental responsibility — creating an unmatched experience on the water for our clients.

My Entrepreneurial Vision
Whether it’s in education, public speaking, or the luxury yachting industry, my approach remains the same:

Focus on quality and innovation.
Build sustainable solutions that solve real-world problems.
Deliver exceptional results while setting a new standard in each market I enter.
These ventures are not just businesses for me — they’re opportunities to create meaningful impact, help others grow, and push boundaries in industries I’m passionate about.

Let me know if you need this expanded further or if I should weave it into a specific context!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

“You think finding a life partner is hard? Try finding a business partner.”

For over 15 years, I worked alone. No partners, no shared stakes—just me against the world. I learned to be self-reliant, to get things done. But eventually, I realized a simple truth: you can’t be great at everything, and strength attracts strength. If you want to build something truly significant, you need people whose strengths cover your blind spots.

I’m a hunter, not a farmer. I’m great at talking, convincing, and selling. I can bring in clients, partners, and investors, waving the company flag high. But building internal processes, managing teams, and keeping everything running smoothly? That’s not my battlefield. So, I figured it out: I needed partners who could anchor my strengths with their own. Partners who don’t just look in the same direction as me but also run toward it with the same fire.

Enter Vitaliy and Stan—two men, two worlds, two perfect matches.

Vitaliy Tymoshenko is my partner in SmartExpert, an intelligent educational platform that automates corporate training and product creation. We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance who said, “You two are so alike… yet completely different.” He was right. Vitaliy is the deep, analytical type. He thrives in building teams, refining internal processes, and laying out every strategy like a chessboard. He’s the perfect CEO. While I’m out there attracting clients and securing investments, he ensures the ship runs smoothly.

Then there’s Stan, my partner in the yacht business. I met Stan the way all great stories begin—in a bar. It was evening. I overheard a conversation about yachts and joined in. Stan said he wanted to live on a yacht—not one of those that already exists, but something different, something better. That got my attention. Stan is slow, methodical, and obsessed with precision. He’s all about logic, numbers, and product perfection. I, on the other hand, am about people, opportunities, and building the connections that move things forward.

Together, we’re building a hybrid yacht—one with AI vision and a design that’ll make jaws drop.

So here’s the thing: I never had partners before these two. But now? I can’t imagine building anything without them. Business partnerships are harder than marriages—hell, in some ways, the stakes are even higher. You need shared goals, mutual respect, and an understanding of where you’re weak and where you’re strong.

Strength attracts strength. And when you focus 100% on your strengths, you attract exactly the people you need to fill the gaps. That’s how you win.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Over 15 years in business, I’ve tried every client acquisition strategy imaginable. And the most reliable, hands down, is good old word-of-mouth. But here’s the catch: for word-of-mouth to work, you need to master a certain approach. I found that approach. The key is simple — give clients more than they expect. Deliver better than even you intended. Pour yourself entirely into a genuine desire to help them solve their problem, whatever brought them to you. When you operate this way, your odds of standing out from the competition skyrocket. And that, in turn, guarantees that your old clients will bring you new ones. Some might even bring their kids or grandkids. I’ve seen that happen too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dimitriywolf.com/ | https://azureyachtgroup.com/ | https://smartexpert.io/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimitriywolf
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dimitriy.wolf
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitriy-wolf/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Dimitriy_Wolf