Antranik Kalaydjian, the Armenian-American founder and CEO of Guardian Professional Security, said returning to Armenia as a featured speaker at the Mantashyants Business Club conference became far more meaningful than he ever expected, describing the experience as a homecoming filled with gratitude, pride and a renewed connection to his roots.
Kalaydjian, who built one of the United States’ leading executive protection companies, said he never imagined he would one day address Armenian entrepreneurs in their homeland.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “I was not expecting this at all.”
He said joining the Mantashyants Business Club was initially outside his comfort zone because networking had never been a focus throughout his career. Instead, he spent decades building his business through discipline and hard work. The reception he received in Armenia, however, exceeded anything he had anticipated.
Kalaydjian said speaking before an Armenian audience carried a different emotional weight than any other appearance he has made around the world.
“Speaking to my people, that’s the big difference,” he said, adding that being surrounded by Armenian business leaders who share his culture and values made the experience especially meaningful.
Although he is now retired from executive protection, Kalaydjian joked that there are only a few people who could convince him to return to the profession. Among them would be Armenian UFC star Arman Tsarukyan or members of the rock band System of a Down, saying any final assignment would have to involve fellow Armenians.
His arrival in Armenia also left a lasting impression.
After an exhausting international journey, Kalaydjian admitted he stepped off the plane tired and frustrated. But that quickly changed when members of the Mantashyants organization welcomed him at the airport, escorted him through customs and surprised him with hospitality he had not expected.
“That’s when I felt like, ‘OK, I’m home now,'” he said, adding that he already plans to attend future conferences every year.
Kalaydjian first visited Armenia in 2015 during the centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide. He described that trip as a personal pilgrimage centered on churches and learning about Armenia’s history.
This visit, he said, has been different.
Instead of focusing primarily on religious sites, he has spent time exploring towns across the country, including Goris and Dilijan, discovering the unique character of each region.
“Each city is a whole different world,” he said.
Among all the places he visited, Kalaydjian said Goris stood out the most.
He compared the southern Armenian town to scenes from a movie, praising its peaceful lifestyle, close-knit families and connection to nature.
He said the simplicity of life there reminded him that happiness does not come from wealth or fame, but from community, family and living close to the land.
Kalaydjian also praised Armenia’s food, saying it surpasses what is commonly available in the United States.
While emphasizing his love for America, he said Armenia’s locally raised meat, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs offer a quality that is increasingly difficult to find in large commercial food systems.
“I’m a big khorovats fan,” he said. “I could eat that every single day.”
When asked what he plans to bring home from Armenia, Kalaydjian said material possessions are not what matter most to him.
Instead, he hopes to purchase an old Armenian Bible and receive an Armenian tattoo during his visit, calling both meaningful reminders of his heritage.
During the interview, The Armenian Report thanked Kalaydjian for helping purchase a new camera used to produce the interview itself. In response, Kalaydjian said supporting Armenian journalism was one of the easiest decisions he has made.
He praised The Armenian Report for providing independent coverage focused on Armenia and the global Armenian community.
“What you’re doing every day… is all from the heart,” Kalaydjian said. “You’re helping us from thousands of miles away get an inside look at what’s going on in our home. And that’s invaluable.”
As his visit to Armenia came to an end, Kalaydjian said the trip has strengthened his connection to his ancestral homeland and inspired him to return more often. He hopes to continue building relationships with Armenian entrepreneurs through the Mantashyants Business Club while using his experience in business and leadership to encourage others to pursue success without losing sight of their Armenian identity.
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