Million Dollar Start-Up or Home-Based Small Business?
In the coming weeks, I will be speaking on several podcasts.
This isn’t the first time I’ll be appearing on global media platforms, but it’s definitely the one I’m approaching with the highest level of deliberation.
Back in 2022–2023, I was deeply motivated to share my story with the world — the story of a Ukrainian entrepreneur who co-founded a company that was sold for just over $1.2 million. I wasn’t clear on how to do that, as I had never been a public figure up until that point, but, in all honesty, I craved acknowledgment deeply.
The solution was right around the corner: I came across a platform called Polywork.com, which, at the time, positioned itself as a “better LinkedIn.” The site allowed people to post “Opportunities,” meaning gigs that members could participate in, one of which was “Podcast Guesting.”
I distinctly remember the rush of euphoria when, for the first time, one of the podcasters I reached out to actually decided to give me a chance and invited me to their podcast. This first person was Tatiana Gramatikova-Bonneau, to whom I remain deeply indebted for that opportunity.
However, during that and subsequent podcast guest appearances, I wasn’t actually promoting the business I had at the time — which was English coaching — but instead, I found myself talking about my past as an IT entrepreneur.
It’s only now, in retrospect, that I understand why I leaned in that direction: the business I was running at the time wasn’t something I truly wanted to associate myself with. As a result, I ended up discussing my past with not only Tatiana but also every other podcast host I spoke with.
Why Is It So Tempting to Talk About Corporate IT Startup?
I’ve been discussing this with a friend of mine recently — a high-level project manager who’s currently searching for a new workplace. Big IT corporations often make it seem appealing for young professionals to dive into building businesses with intense cash flow. One of the largest employers in Ukraine, and the company that funded my startup, is Genesis — a massive IT giant with more than 1,500 people on board.
These guys burn cash like crazy. They create apps (like BetterMe) and other solutions by investing enormous amounts of money into performance marketing. What they do next is look for a positive unit economy, and by capitalizing on positive ROI, they manage to generate significant profits.
The downside of that model, however, is that everyone has to work their butt off under the intense pressure of fat insvetment money, needed to rationilize the model.* (it’s a slim margin model)
What are we seeing now? A very prestigious HR brand that exhausts the pool of young professionals, hunting them down and transforming them into what they call “high performers.” In reality, big corporations like Genesis use spacious, fancy offices, tons of free food, smoothies, and cutting-edge technologies to masquerade one simple truth:
the necessity to sacrifice your life for the sake of work at a rate that doesn’t even meet market standards.
I clearly remember that while you’re part of the system, everyone seems to love you. But as soon as you step away, people start revealing their true attitudes, which were never personal — only professional.
When I was telling that story at the podcasts I was almost reliving all the pain that I felt after losing what I thought was a part of me.
Never Ever in My Life Was I So Wrong.
In truth, associating myself with big corporate businessmen was a red herring for me. The reason I continued to do it for over three years after exiting the business was that it wasn’t my decision to leave; I was prompted to do so by some people in the system. At the same time, I now realize that the suffering is finally over, and I am proud to say that I left the “glamorous” past behind. I am now creating a present and future that I am much happier with.
Small “Home” Business
I have a team of 7 incredibly creative people as an owner of Beverly Productions now— a video production agency I started at the beginning of 24. It’s been attempt #4 or #5 after I left the IT start-up in 2019, and it’s the one that gives me goosebumps: a perfect fit for my skills and talent, which perfectly aligns with my values.
I am really okay not throwing big corporate parties or talking about another $5ml round with my friends in a strip club after 6 days working week =)
I choose to have a balanced, poised life where I can be myself, do what I want when I want and from where I want.
It’s ironic that my first podcast stop is the podcast called Work at Home RockStar — the podcast where I will lay out how I run a business completely on the fly.
I am now embracing my reality being a remote creative agency owner, and feel like now it’s a no-brainer what I will be talking with hosts about. And it’s a blessing, period.
