Today I am an entrepreneur in the marketing industry: I run the marketing agency Vynohradov Agency and the online academy «Tlo», where we teach advertising and promotion. My journey in business did not begin with an abstract startup idea, but with practical experience in sales. As a teenager, I looked for products, tested demand, and learned to organize the process so I could earn real money, while others focused exclusively on their studies. This experience taught me to spot opportunities and turn them into structured projects.
Creating my own content became a continuation of this entrepreneurial activity. I host a podcast about marketing and business, «Vynohradnyi Fresh», where I talk with entrepreneurs and representatives of leading clothing brands. For me, this is not only a way to share knowledge, but also an opportunity to foster an environment where the entrepreneurial community can grow, exchange experience, and find inspiration in new ideas.
I am originally from Sumy, but moving to Odesa in 2014 was a turning point for me. A new environment, a different scale of thinking, and broader opportunities had a significant impact on my subsequent development. In my first years in Odesa, I worked in the service industry and was a waiter for about three years, while continuing to make online sales. In time, this experience naturally developed into professional work in marketing and advertising.
The full-scale invasion was another major turning point that changed my approach to work. It was then that I decided to move away from freelancing and focus on building a structured business. Having reached the limit of my personal productivity, I began delegating operational processes, and full-fledged business divisions gradually took shape as a result.
In my work, I combine an entrepreneurial approach with systematic thinking and modern tools. In particular, I actively use artificial intelligence to analyze information, structure processes, and make management decisions. I pay special attention to developing products in online education and working with brands, particularly in the clothing niche.
Drawing on my own experience, I have developed several principles that I consider critical for aspiring entrepreneurs. First and foremost, I recommend clearly separating tasks into strategic, tactical, and operational categories, and delegating all operational processes and some tactical ones so you can focus on activities that directly generate revenue. Strategic planning is an important step, and it is worth doing with your team and a facilitator, as this helps not only to establish a clear direction for development but also to strengthen teamwork. Your circle also plays an important role: to grow, you need to consciously build an environment of people who already have entrepreneurial experience and think at a different level. At the same time, it is important to avoid a common mistake—equating company profits with personal finances.
Looking to the future, I see myself as an entrepreneur who combines business with creativity. Developing as an artist in music and creating content that inspires people and affects how they feel are important to me. I want to contribute to Ukraine’s development, build an investment portfolio, work more mindfully and effectively, and maintain a balance between professional fulfillment and personal life.
For me, happiness lies in the ability to build meaningful relationships, find joy in most of life’s moments, and continue growing inwardly. It is also important to be in a state where one can nurture and develop love as an inner resource.
How did you come up with the business idea?
In fact, I have been doing this my whole life—I have worked in sales and advertising since I was a teenager. While still in school and technical college, I started selling products online. By the time I was in 9th grade, I was receiving my first payments on a bank card, while my classmates were still just studying.
Later, I worked in the service industry for a while—I was a waiter in Odesa for about three years, while continuing to sell online. Eventually, I moved entirely into marketing and advertising. It was a natural process of growth: when I reached the limit of my individual growth, I began delegating some tasks. That is how the projects that eventually grew into full-fledged businesses gradually took shape.
What key skills helped you launch your business?
I draw on the results of the Clifton Strengths test by Gallup, which identifies natural talents. My leading strengths are strategic thinking and the ability to influence others. These traits are directly aligned with an entrepreneurial profile. I combine this source of information with insights from a psychologist, a coach, physiognomy, human design, and so on.
I use the results of this test not only for my own development, but also in my work with the team. My fiancée and the managers in both of my businesses have also taken the test. This has helped us better understand one another’s strengths and weaknesses and build more effective collaboration and management.
What were the 3 most difficult challenges you faced in the early years?
The main problem was a lack of experience in building a business. I had neither a relevant education nor a circle of people who could suggest the right decisions. I had to build all the processes myself, essentially through trial and error. It was a journey without clear guideposts, but it was what gave me a practical understanding of business.
What crises has your business faced, and how did you overcome them?
The most significant crises over 3,5 years have been cash flow gaps at the academy. These were not one-off situations: several times, we literally had to «dig under the mattress» to meet our obligations. This showed me that a financial model and cash flow management are systems just like marketing or the product, and cannot be left to intuition.
Which decisions proved most effective in growing the company?
The key decision was to step away from operational management and hand this role over to another manager. This allowed me to focus on strategic development. As a result, the company doubled its monthly turnover in half a year.
Which of your mistakes do you now consider your most valuable learning experience?
One of my key mistakes was trying to scale the agency within a single unit without expanding the product line. In time, I realized the limitations of this approach and moved to diversifying the products. After that, the company’s revenue began to grow much faster.
