Dmytro Hulych, 40 years

Business field:: Energy: electrical installation services, design, supply of electrical equipment, and solar power plant construction. Additionally, turnkey construction and renovation.
Company:: Enerhomotyv Group of Companies, Energomotyv Group of Companies
Business size:: YBC Wise
Marital status:: Married, has a daughter
Looking for in YBC:: For me, YBC’s key value is its people and the infrastructure for high-quality, well-organized meetings. At different stages of my life and business, I came to the club with different goals. At first, it was to quickly build a network of contacts in Kyiv. Then it was to collaborate within the club by buying and selling services. Later, it was to learn through subclubs focused on marketing, systematization, communications, and public speaking. Now, given my family, young child, and busy schedule, I mostly attend peer-to-peer formats and occasionally larger events.

Section 1: About me. Dossier.

Company

Enerhomotyv Group of Companies

Business size

YBC Wise

Marital status

Married, has a daughter

Movies

"The Last Samurai"
"The Shawshank Redemption"

Books

"Creating a Business Model" - Alexander Osterwalder

Songs

I prefer rock music.

Hobbies

Gym, Tennis, Poker, Swimming, Skiing, Artistic gymnastics

City

Kyiv

3 events that changed my life

Moving from Uzhhorod to Zaporizhzhia and attending university—the first major step toward independence and the development of professional thinking.

Moving from Zaporizhzhia to Kyiv about nine years ago—entering a broader business environment and beginning a new stage of personal and professional development.

Joining the business club, where I have been a member for about nine years, was an important event that gave me a community, connections, and the opportunity to grow systematically alongside successful entrepreneurs.

2 people who influenced my life

My uncle Serhii. I looked up to him as an example. He was in business and knew how to bring people together: he always helped others, supported them, united them, and stayed positive. I wanted to follow his example when I lived near him in Zaporizhzhia.

The YBC business community.

1 decision that changed my life

«Moving from Zakarpattia to Zaporizhzhia.»

Dmytro Hulych

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Section 2. About the business. Dossier.

Company name

Energomotyv Group of Companies

Business field

Energy: electrical installation services, design, supply of electrical equipment, and solar power plant construction. Additionally, turnkey construction and renovation.

Years in business

Status

Member

Team size

Has a partner

Countries of operation

Ukraine

Section 3: Biography.

18 years in the energy sector: from cables to solar power plants

My name is Dmytro Hulych, and today I am an entrepreneur with 18 years of experience building a business in the energy sector. My journey has covered various areas: from supplying cable and wire products to comprehensive electrical installation work, design, electrical equipment supply, and developing the solar power business. This journey has involved relocations and constantly «putting myself back together».

I am originally from Uzhhorod, lived in Zaporizhzhia for thirteen years, and moved to Kyiv about nine years ago. Alongside developing the business, I did a lot of learning and sought out management tools that would let me do more than simply survive in a turbulent market—to systematically adapt the business model to new realities. I did not start out in energy with a conscious dream of working in the sector; rather, I was looking for an environment where I could put my strengths to use—communication, negotiation, and closing deals. My first degree was in mathematics and computer programming, but I soon realized I was much more interested in working with people and taking responsibility than in focusing exclusively on technical tasks.

I also had some experience in banking early on: an internship and an attempt to build a career in 2008. However, the financial crisis at the time brought those projects to a halt. After returning to Zaporizhzhia, I went through several very practical and not always easy lessons—from an unsuccessful venture involving Forex courses to a rapid leap into selling cable and wire products. That experience became my entry point into running my own business. The path that followed was one of gradual expansion. First came cable sales, then an expansion of the product range, necessitated by rising competition and shrinking margins. The next step was moving into electrical installation services, followed by comprehensive turnkey construction and renovation work.

A few years ago, I added another strategic focus—solar power plants—and today this is one of the most effective areas of our business. I am used to working without illusions: the market is constantly changing, economic and political factors directly affect demand, and management mistakes—in partnerships or investment decisions—can be very costly. That is why adaptability, a systematic approach, and a readiness to change course in time remain essential for me.

The terms of our cooperation changed, so I started my own business

How did the business idea come about?

The business idea did not come from an abstract concept, but from practical experience and a conflict of interest with my employer. After university in Zaporizhzhia, in 2008, I tried to build a career in banking and in IT, helping develop a network of bank terminals in western Ukraine, but the financial crisis put an end to that path. After that, I went into sales of cable and wire products as one of the first managers at a new company. I quickly developed the western region, but once sales started to grow, the terms of cooperation were called into question.

I reacted emotionally and decided to start my own business. At first, it was just cable sales, followed by manufacturing in Zaporizhzhia and the opening of a branch in Kyiv. After parting ways with my partners, I had to rebuild the business in a new format, with a broader range of products and services. The logic was simple: clients and the market themselves show you what needs to be scaled.

An MBA, negotiations, and an internal transformation from art groups to energy

What key skills helped you launch your business?

My foundation is a combination of education and practical skills. On the one hand, there is systems thinking (a degree in mathematics and computer programming, MBA studies, and management). On the other, there are practical skills without which nothing works in B2B sales and service. The key ones were: - the ability to negotiate, communicate, and reach agreements; - resilience and focus, especially at the beginning; - a willingness to take risks and responsibility.

I also went through an internal transformation—from creative projects (art, an art group, video mapping, and architectural lighting) to pragmatic business in the energy sector. That is where I developed an interest in energy efficiency and implementing comprehensive solutions.

Not giving up when the challenges outweigh the resources

What were the 3 most difficult challenges you faced in the early years?

The early years were marked by constant instability and the need to adapt quickly. The first was psychological: not giving up when the challenges outweighed the resources. The second was market-related: economic and political fluctuations, intense competition, and working across different regions. The third was managerial: the partnership. We had not discussed expectations and ground rules «up front», which led to differences in approach and, ultimately, to parting ways.

Margins fell from 25% to 3% - and we had to move into comprehensive solutions

What crises has your business faced, and how did you overcome them?

The crises have been both market-related and war-related. The first was a decline in margins in the cable and wire products market: from 25–30% in 2008 to 3–5% later on. The solution was to expand the product range and move to comprehensive supply and services. The second was 2022. In March, the business effectively came to a standstill; the team volunteered, and there was no income. We partially relocated the warehouse and gradually resumed operations after Kyiv was liberated. At the same time, the staffing crisis intensified, and it continues to this day.

Diversification, high-margin projects, and ongoing marketing development

Which decisions proved most effective in growing the company?

Diversifying the range of goods and services.
Focusing on the highest-margin projects.
Continuously developing marketing resources.
Working with HR.

Details first, emotions second—and only then the start

Which mistake do you now consider your most valuable experience?

Entering a partnership without clear agreements. After that experience, my rule is simple: details first, emotions second, and only then the start.

Cars by the Zakarpattia Hotel and the first connection between work and money

How did you earn your first $100?

I earned my first $100 as a child, during summer vacation, washing cars by the Zakarpattia Hotel in Uzhhorod. It was my first experience earning money independently and a clear sense of the connection between my own work and money.

Helped a friend sell a car—and discovered the power of communication

How did you earn your first $1 000?

I earned my first $1 000 around my final years of school, helping a friend sell a car. It was my first experience with a deal where communication, negotiation, and the ability to bring the parties together played a key role.

The second or third year in business—when profits became tangible, not just turnover

How did you earn your first $10 000?

I earned my first $10 000 in my own business, around the second or third year of operations, approximately in 2010–2011. It was the result of systematic work, as the business began generating not only turnover but also tangible profits.

How did you earn your first $100 000?

I also earned my first $100 000 in my own business, approximately in 2012–2013. By that stage, the company had stable processes, a customer base, and a clear business model.

From individual sales to comprehensive solutions—a million in 2019–2020

How did you earn your first $1 000 000?

I earned my first $1 000 000 around 2019–2020. It was the result of long-term work, business growth, and a gradual shift from individual sales to comprehensive solutions and services.

Section 4: How can I be useful? Experience I can share.

18 years in a turbulent market: from falling margins to solar power plants

I can offer entrepreneurs practical experience in building and developing a business over the long term — more than 18 years — in a turbulent market environment. This includes experience navigating periods of declining margins, making a timely transition from a purely product-based model to comprehensive solutions and services, and managing partnership risks without losing control of the business.

One particular focus of my work is implementing turnkey energy-efficiency solutions: from design and electrical installation to the supply of electrical equipment and the construction of solar power plants. I also have practical experience resolving complex disputes (including court cases), selecting and overseeing contractors, working with fundamental marketing tools (websites, advertising, positioning), and optimizing finances, both tax-related and non-tax-related.

Section 5: Club value

What am I looking for in the club?

For me, YBC’s key value is its people and the infrastructure for high-quality, well-organized meetings. At different stages of my life and business, I came to the club with different goals. At first, it was to quickly build a network of contacts in Kyiv. Then it was to collaborate within the club by buying and selling services. Later, it was to learn through subclubs focused on marketing, systematization, communications, and public speaking. Now, given my family, young child, and busy schedule, I mostly attend peer-to-peer formats and occasionally larger events.

What have I received from the club?

The club has given me a community and the opportunity to go through different stages of development—from making my first connections and friendships to business collaborations and learning. Over nine years in the club, I have gained not only knowledge but also a degree of expertise through participating in various formats and communities.