Vira is from Donetsk. She used to live in Horlivka but had to leave after it was occupied.

She moved to western Ukraine with her family. There she saw embroideries and realized what she wanted to do.

She found her first customers when she was traveling around Uzhhorod. She went to a bakery and suggested ways to improve the uniforms for the employees.

Furthermore, she made new aprons for the owner of the establishment. That’s how her business began.

Vira learned about a grant from the IOM. She applied, was selected, and received $700.

She bought an embroidery machine, trained, and started her brand.

Later, she and her family moved to Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. The business grew there.

In 2023, Vira reapplied for a German government grant. With help from the grant, she bought a fourth embroidery machine, fabric, ribbons, a printer, and a computer.

Vira is still developing her business and has a team that makes embroidered clothes and accessories.