The 43-year-old tech entrepreneur, who arrived in Australia as a refugee from the Soviet Union in 1989 with his family and $90, requested lunch at his mother's home rather than a restaurant. Irene Kogan served a Belarusian feast. "When I've been overseas, and no matter how much fine dining we've had in restaurants, as soon as I get back to Melbourne, what you've got in front of you is exactly what I'm craving," Kogan said. A marathon runner and father of three, he credited his mother's cooking, especially 10-hour slow-cooked brisket, as his ultimate comfort food. The Kogan family first settled in Elsternwick housing commission flats before Alex and Irene Kogan's move to an imposing home in Melbourne's inner-north. The interview offers a rare personal glimpse into the entrepreneur, who has built a retail empire on selling household goods online.
Ruslan Kogan picks his mother's dining table as his favourite restaurant
Kogan.com founder forgoes fine dining for a Belarusian feast at Irene Kogan's home
By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources3 outlets
Ruslan Kogan, the multimillionaire founder of online retailer kogan.com, chose an unconventional venue for the time-honoured 'Lunch With' interview: his mother Irene's dining table in Melbourne.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The profile offers a rare personal glimpse into a major Australian tech figure, humanising a businessman often in the public eye.
- Kogan's story from refugee to multimillionaire entrepreneur is a narrative that resonates with many Australians.
- His public choice to honour his mother over a high-end restaurant provides a counterpoint to typical business profiles and highlights the importance of family.
Background
Kogan.com is one of Australia's best-known online retailers, founded by Ruslan Kogan. He arrived in Australia as a refugee from the Soviet Union as a child and built the company from humble beginnings. The 'Lunch With' series is a long-running interview format known for profiling notable figures over a meal.
Key Perspectives
Ruslan Kogan: Emphasises family and his mother's home cooking over fine dining, saying it is what he craves after travelling. Observers: His unconventional choice reflects the non-traditional path he has taken in business and life, from selling electronics from a garage to building a publicly listed company.
What to Watch
- Whether Kogan continues to differentiate himself from other executives through personal, family-centred public appearances.
- The ongoing performance of kogan.com in Australia's competitive online retail market.
- Potential for further expansion of the company or new ventures from the founder.
Sources
- Ruslan Kogan made $300m in tech. But his favourite place to eat is his mother’s dining table — WA Today - Latest News
- Ruslan Kogan made $300m in tech. But his favourite place to eat is his mother’s dining table — Brisbane Times - Latest News
- Ruslan Kogan made $300m in tech. But his favourite place to eat is his mother’s dining table — Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News