"Do Your Business": an IDP from Zaporizhzhia starts a natural cosmetics business in Cherkasy region
Kyiv • UNN
An immigrant from Zaporizhzhia Oblast started a natural cosmetics business in Cherkasy Oblast.
Olena Sobko, the winner of the "Do Your Business" business idea competition, has realized her long-held dream of producing her own natural cosmetics. This was reported by the MHP-Gromada Charitable Foundation, according to UNN.
Details
Sobko worked as a chemist at the Zaporizhzhia NPP in Enerhodar. However, during the full-scale disaster, she was forced to leave her beloved city and job. Now she and her family live in Kaniv. Here, she decided to participate in the "Do Your Business" business idea competition and realize her long-held dream of producing her own natural cosmetics.
"I am a chemist, so the labels on boxes of cosmetics and household chemicals are not abracadabra for me. I clearly understand that the harmful synthetic substitutes and fillers used in industrial cosmetics are like a "nuclear bomb" in a beautiful package. All these parabens, silicones, petroleum products, dyes, fragrances and preservatives penetrate the body, poisoning it from the inside.
For 6 years now, I have been creating natural cosmetics to have a safe alternative for my family and loved ones. And I am 100% satisfied with it, both as a woman and as a mother of 3 children. And since I can see its effectiveness with my own eyes, I want to turn my home production into a large-scale, professional and certified one," the winner said.
The main barrier to business realization was the lack of funding, Sobko recalls.
"The main barrier was definitely the lack of funding. Business in the cosmetics sector requires a lot of investment: from an equipped laboratory space to certified product components and eco-friendly packaging. But thanks to a grant from the MHP-Hromada Foundation, I was able to purchase the necessary equipment and start production," she clarifies.
Since winning the competition, Sobko's business has undergone significant changes.
"A technologist appeared. Production volumes have increased. We have a warehouse of finished products with appropriate conditions. The control and quality system has been established, and all safety rules are followed. Online sales have become more active," says the winner of the competition.
Sobko currently offers its customers a wide range of products.
"It's wide, mostly because I bought the sterilizer, homoneutralizer, stirrer, water bath, and pneumatic dispenser I need for production. I have 10 types of facial skin care products alone: makeup remover milk, micellar water, hydrophilic oil, cleansing foam, enzyme powder, ubtan, toner, serum, cream, and mask. We also offer body and hair care products, mineral cosmetics, hygiene products, cosmetics for children, household chemicals," she said.
Sobko also told us how she will develop her business in the future.
"I observe that the growth of people's consciousness ensures demand for my products. That's why we are going to expand our product range, create new jobs, and open an offline store. But the most important goal is to get a quality certificate for my products. And, finally, to be proud that this cool product is made in Ukraine," she emphasized.
HelpHelp
"MHP-Hromadas is a Ukrainian charitable foundation that started its operations in 2015. Its main mission is the comprehensive development of communities. The geography of its operations includes 12 regions of Ukraine: more than 700 towns and villages.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Foundation has been systematically supporting people in the war zone, Ukrainian defenders and rescuers, communities, hospitals and maternity homes, charitable institutions that care for orphans and the elderly, as well as people who have lost their homes and livelihoods due to the war.
