I am talking about normal people, not OPG members. Nor am I talking about companies riding the privatization wave and/or the exporting of natural resources OR e

I am talking about normal people, not OPG members. Nor am I talking about companies riding the privatization wave and/or the exporting of natural resources OR exploiting existing heavy manufacturing. I also realize that if we navigate to the Harvard Economic Atlas for Russia, we will see that this is the bulk of the business there (https://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/countries/186/export-basket https://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/countries/186/export-basket). But, I personally know a number of guys who became directors in their 20s based on raw talent in Russian tech / e-commerce / straight up commerce companies. Despite what you said, there was a number of business opportunities there for younger people. There was also a lot of opportunities providing basic services - cellular, emergency vehicle support (coming out to change battery/tire), etc, etc. The market is too mature in the US for these "easy" businesses for young people. Of course, we have the best funding for startups, but that's a bit of a higher bar for the average person.