Vasylevska Iryna Petrivna, 38 years

Independent from the age of 14, an entrepreneur driven by sibling rivalry

My name is Iryna Vasilevska, and today I am the owner of — Nyvky Like Home. I was born in Zakarpattia, but my adult life began early — at 14, I enrolled in a music college and left home. Being on my own taught me discipline, hard work, and how to listen to myself. Every move — to Germany, Slavuta, Khmelnytskyi, and later Kyiv — broadened my horizons and shaped my inner compass. I have always focused on simple things: being honest with myself, working toward results, and staying present in every day. My family has become a source of energy and a mirror for my growth: my husband Anatolii and I learn how to be partners every day, while parenthood has strengthened my sense of responsibility and, at the same time, my gentleness. A year of personal therapy helped me let go of excessive control, accept my boundaries and mistakes, and see how vulnerability can become a strength.

I came into business with healthy enthusiasm and a touch of sibling rivalry: my sister's experience in Ternopil inspired me, and I decided to see if I could do better. The first few years were a marathon with no finish line: check-ins around the clock, cleaning, marketing, finding funding, hunting for new apartments, and endless hours at the ironing board. I learned to build processes “from 0” and later to delegate, automate, and free up mental space for strategic decisions.

My sister in Ternopil showed me the model — I decided to do it better

How did you come up with the business idea?

My sister was the first to put the idea into practice in Ternopil. I wanted to copy it and compete, driven by sibling rivalry.

I see a goal — I see no obstacles

What key skills helped you launch your business?

Rivalry))) I see a goal — I see no obstacles))

Check-ins around the clock, hundreds of kilos of laundry, and small children

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

Taking on every role at once: checking guests in around the clock, cleaning, advertising, finding funding and new apartments. One challenge of its own: washing and ironing hundreds of kg of laundry at home. And all of this with small children))

A shutdown due to the invasion, blackouts, and a loan to survive

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

A complete shutdown at the start of the invasion. We reached agreements with the owners to reduce rent. As a result, we resumed all operations after three months.

The first blackout. The laundry stopped operating. The elevators to the 14th floor were out of service. The apartments were cold. There was no water. As a result, occupancy and turnover fell. To get through this period, we had to turn to bank loans.

A club goal became a driver of growth: from 200 to 500 thousand dollars in turnover

Which decisions proved most effective in growing the company?

My desire to join YBC. According to the 30+ requirements, I needed annual turnover of 200 thousand dollars. I achieved that in 4 years and joined the club (Andrii Ostapchuk believed in me, and I didn't let him down). As I approach my 40th birthday, I need to reach turnover of 500 thousand dollars. I have already achieved that too.

Trusting everyone who promises to pay is the most expensive mistake

What mistake do you now consider your most valuable learning experience?

Trusting that everyone who checks in and promises to pay will definitely do so)))

From the Khreshchatyk newspaper to renting an apartment and earning 100 thousand dollars through scaling

How did you earn your first $100?

As a journalist at the Khreshchatyk newspaper.

How did you earn your first $1 000?

By selling the apartment I was renting and living in.

How did you earn your first $10 000?

Through short-term rentals in my own business by then.

How did you earn your first $100 000?

By scaling the business and the team.

Rentals, automation, and crisis management — my practical area of expertise

I can help with the following:

• Advice on managing and leasing commercial/residential property (contract practices, preparing premises, pricing).
• Assessing rental risks and managing rental payments.
• Legal aspects of leasing: contract standards, securing the fulfillment of obligations, and dispute resolution.
• Building relationships with contractors and property service providers (repair workers, security, cleaning, etc.).
• Optimizing property income (marketing properties, increasing occupancy).
• Organizing and automating information services: tool stack, CRM, and customer data processing.
• Building customer service and support: service standards, SLA.
• Using digital channels to promote services (website, social media, listings).
• Building and managing a small business: accounting, reporting, working with VAT/taxes for sole proprietors/private enterprises.
• Strategic planning and scaling: when and how to expand a property portfolio or range of information services.
• Crisis management: how to handle downtime, nonpayment, or legal claims from tenants.
• Mentoring startups in service offerings or the real estate market (initial business plan, idea validation).

A crowded mind is a signal to simplify, automate, and delegate

Your experience: how do you systematize a business?

Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks and short on time, I start reviewing what can be simplified, automated, or delegated.

A goal beyond the company: Cambridge, Disneyland, Adele, and Beyoncé — accomplished

Your experience: how do you grow twofold in a year?

Have a goal that goes beyond the company. For me, that means exploring the world with my children, my son's trip to Cambridge, and attending live concerts by Adele and Beyoncé. Visiting Disneyland with the children.

This has already been accomplished.