Empowered by Determination: All-Female Business Team Thrives Against All Odds

Dnipro — "After the start of the full-scale invasion, no one knew what would happen next, no one could plan anything. But as a manager, I had to give those I'm responsible for at least some confidence, even if I didn't have it myself. Many people were fleeing in a hurry, pet owners had an urgent need for pet carriers. We worked tirelessly, seven days a week, so that pet owners could take their pets to safety as quickly as possible," says Oleksandra, who has been running a pet clothing store for over a decade. 

Her path to entrepreneurship was anything but straightforward.  

"When you truly want something, the universe pushes you to make that dream come true. I've always dreamed of working with animals," says Oleksandra.   

The turning point came when she lost her full-time job as a lawyer due to health issues. After several attempts to balance her private business with other jobs, in 2013 she finally decided to fully commit to her business and rely on herself.  

At the first, Oleksandra sewed all the orders herself, but as time went on and her business grew, so did her team. 

Currently, Oleksandra employs seven seamstresses, including internally displaced women, who fled their homes in search of safety.  

Hanna, who has been working in Oleksandra's team since 2023, was displaced from Nikopol district to Dnipro and now lives in a collective centre for internally displaced people. 

"Probably, like everyone in our team, I am waiting for the war to end.  Part of my family still lives in Nikopol district. I am working to support them as well," Hanna says. “To give up now, to lose hope, means to miss the chance for a positive future.” 

"Each of my employees is worth their weight in gold, because I personally trained each of them, and we have gone through many challenges together. Perhaps this approach is what sets us apart from large industries: over the years, we have truly become one big family," Oleksandra says. 

Running a business during wartime is a constant battle against uncertainty. Supply chains are disrupted, and power outages cause unpredictability in production. Yet, another challenge is the emotional toll — keeping the team motivated when every day brings new anxieties. 

“Thanks to the courage and hard work of my team, we were able not only to help other people, but also to keep the team together and grow it over time,” shared Oleksandra.  

Thanks to IOM's support and funding from the Government of Japan, Oleksandra’s business has received a modern automatic embroidery machine, enabling growth and expansion into international markets.   

"I had dreamed of this machine for a long time. Thanks to it, we were able to expand our product range and improve the quality of our products, and it opened up new opportunities for us to enter international markets. Soon I will be attending an exhibition in Italy, where I will be able to represent not only our company but also the country." 

"We are already competing on equal terms with large companies. So, my goal is to open my own factory to implement more ideas and develop even further. Every dream is worth fulfilling, and I am sure that this dream of mine will definitely come true."  

Oleksandra's story embodies the resilience and strength of Ukrainian female entrepreneurs. On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate their journeys of perseverance and determination.  

Women-run businesses account for 43 per cent of over 700 micro and small companies supported by IOM with financial grants since 2023.