From Frontend to Tech Lead: Yegor’s Hoteza Journey
From waiting tables and learning to code, to leading the development of our most popular product — Yegor Chebotarev’s journey is proof that curiosity, initiative, and the right team can take you far.
Q: When did you join Hoteza, and in what role? How has your career developed since then? What are you working on now?
A: Hoteza was my first real job after doing small freelance projects — and honestly, my first step into the professional tech world. I joined in September 2016 as a frontend developer for our TV product. Before that, I balanced working as a waiter with taking basic programming courses. Over time, I kept asking for more responsibility each year. Eventually, I volunteered to create the Hoteza web app, which became a turning point in my career. Today, I focus on structuring the TV team, stabilizing the project, and delivering new features for key clients. It’s a role that challenges me daily, but also gives me the chance to shape the product’s future.
«At first, I was just happy to work anywhere, but I stayed for the atmosphere and the people who make it what it is»
Q: How did you grow into your current role?
A: Curiosity and constant learning have always driven me. I regularly take developer courses, and each gives me something new to apply. Moving into the tech lead position meant I needed to develop new skills beyond coding — like team management and process organization. To prepare, I completed a six-month IT team management course, which not only improved how I lead but also helped me build a wider professional network. Interestingly, some of my classmates from that course later started collaborating with Hoteza, which shows how learning can open unexpected doors.
«The company’s trust gives you room to try, learn, and turn ideas into reality»
Q: How would you describe Hoteza’s culture and values?
A: I see Hoteza as close to a ‘teal organization’ — built on self-management, mutual trust, and shared values. We have a lot of freedom here, and that openness really works. I admire our leadership team: CEO Nikolay Beloshitsky for his loyalty and support, and our unstoppable CTO, Alexey Chizhikov, who’s always sparking ideas and driving product growth. This culture inspires loyalty and unity, and I believe it’s the reason we’ll achieve the world recognition we’re aiming for.
Q: How do you manage challenges in your role?
A: With the number of projects and implementations growing, prioritization, focus, and delegation are essential. I’ve learned to value constructive criticism and see mistakes as useful learning experiences. To recharge, I practice yoga, meditate, spend time with friends, and enjoy the quick wins from completing small tasks where you see instant results.
Q: What do you value most about working here?
A: The flexibility to work from anywhere. I’m based in Portugal now, but I often travel to our Cyprus office — and that’s always special. We don’t just work together there; we go on beach trips, have BBQs, celebrate birthdays, and share moments that make us more than colleagues. Over the years, this team has become my community, my circle of friends, and a big part of my life.
«Hoteza isn’t just my workplace — it’s my community, and I can’t imagine my life without it»
Q: What would you say to someone considering joining Hoteza?
A: This is a place for active, initiative-driven people. If you want to grow, experiment, and bring your ideas to life, you’ll find the perfect environment here. During interviews, I share my own story to show how Hoteza invests in people for the long term — and how we work to keep our unique vibe alive. Our company gives plenty of room for freedom. If you have enough initiative, curiosity, and interest, you can quickly take ownership of a project, develop it independently, and continue to grow and support it.