Kaniyet Rayev completed his BSc in Management at Cass Business School in 2016. He’s since followed his entrepreneurial instincts to create a startup around an idea that came to him while studying for his final exams.His company, Haus Spaces, is a new gig economy working space concept that transforms closed restaurants into swanky working spaces during the daytime. The entrepreneur, originally from the Kyrgyz Republic, is now looking to take the company out of its pilot launch, grow the membership and expand across London.
Provided he can make it a success in London, he sees the opportunity to spread the concept to other cities internationally and is using the skills honed at Cass to make this growth happen.
How did the idea for Haus Spaces come about?
Having spent a long time preparing for my exams I was so fed up with libraries that I began to work in coffee shops. At the time, I was working on a different project, an Airbnb for Experiences, but Airbnb was apparently working on a similar concept at the same time and launched last November.
It wasn't time lost however, as after the months of work I’d done in different coffee shops around London I realized that there were so many convenient spaces that could be used as workplaces. After some struggles and research, I started working to create Haus.
Why restaurants and not other working spaces?
The unique thing about restaurants is that they are already designed to bring people together, so we focus on this type of property. I would prefer to have two or three great restaurants in the same area of London as partners, rather than having multiple, not so suitable locations across the city.
We are also very choosy with who we will partner with. We have criteria in terms of interior, chair ergonomics, lighting, smell, size and air conditioning etcetera, before we will partner with a company and restaurants tend to prioritize the same things. Customer experience is essential for our success.
How have you built up the brand so far?
In the beginning, we used Facebook groups and some paid marketing, but from then on it has mainly been word of mouth.
Our target market is mainly small startups in their early stages, self-employed people and freelancers. We also have some organizations who partner with us to bring people into our space.
We are in the pilot launch phase at the moment and have partnered with Sway in Covent Garden, but as we move forward we'll be expanding our membership and bringing in more partners.
Why did you choose to study a BSc in Management at Cass?
I chose it for two reasons. Firstly, I’ve always been interested in business and there’s always been an entrepreneurial spirit inside me. Even as a teenager in Kazakhstan I used to import fingerboards from Moscow and then sell them in my school.
Secondly, I’d always wanted to study abroad and as my sister was already studying in London it was an obvious choice.
Initially I was planning to apply for an economics degree. However, after doing a year-long foundation course, I found it wasn’t really what I wanted to do. What I liked about the management course however, is that it combined both a creative side, through marketing and advertising, and an analytical side through finance with operations.
After researching a variety of schools, I felt I fit with Cass the most. It was more entrepreneurial as well as being a top performer – it was a no brainer really.
How has Cass helped you develop as an entrepreneur?
I had two compulsory courses per year with six optional modules. This allowed me to study a wide range of fields from finance and marketing to operations. I even studied programming for a while.
Being the sole founder of my company means that I had to wear a lot of different hats and really use a wide variety of skills. The diverse education at Cass has enabled me to forge my own path without seeking outside help.
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Best Journalism school in Europe
When I first stepped onto the campus of City, University of London, I knew I was in for a ride - and not just on the Tube! With its vibrant energy and an impressive repertoire of programs, City U became my home away from home.
The Journalism program was kind of a big deal. Rumour was that we were the best in Europe!
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The diversity at City University facilitates interactions and is a direction toward the unity of the world. The classes are well built to match the number and needs of all students regardless of the elements of diversity that set people apart. The use of technology in delivery makes learning even more interesting and achievable. At City University there is no distinction pegged on the issues that make people unique.
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The team of lecturers at the Uiversity are well experienced. Their level of insight and the methodologies of delivery works for the interes of the leaeners. My learning experience was largely boosted by the level of knowledge of the professors at the institution, and their passion to transfer the same to learners. I appreciate every class I attended because of the level of insight I was able to gather
The best university I’ve been to
The campus and the people I've met have made it a wonderful experience. I was reared in a small town with a graduating class of only 88 individuals, so moving to City University was a huge adjustment for me. My dorm has more residents than my whole high school combined! I enjoy the atmosphere here, and everyone is so friendly. Outstanding academic options and a stunning campus. Really great from beginning to end. The educators genuinely love what they do, and the students are ready to learn. On or around college, there is always something to do with friends, and the social scene is particularly warm.
Bayes Business School
As a student at City university attending Bayes Business School I would totally recommend choosing this university as the experience is exceptional with great social networking opportunities . Professors are significantly helpful, delivering with excellence and professionalism. Everyone is happy to help and make you feel welcomed in such an esteem university as City, offering exceptional development and guidance through out the course.
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Incredibly amazing university, the way they polish students and help them boost their morale and think intellectually is worthwhile. Many universities have international partnerships to allow exchanges between their students. The most obvious subjects for these opportunities would be those that involve languages, and the study of people and places.
Clinical biology
I really like it it’s perfect for me with not too many people and not too few either. All the modules are amazing. I love the toy bar. I love all the societies that I’ma part of. Especially the colour Bollywood society
