Olena Brownfield
EJ from Ukraine
Published on:
December 28, 2022
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Thanks for taking the time to sit with us to share your story with our readers. Can you start out by sharing a little bit about you and/or your organization, business, or project?
EJ from Ukraine started as an American partner of Ukrainian artisan studio based in the heart of Ukraine in the city of Vinnytsia. Now we offer more than just handmade silver jewelry: books about this awesome country (from Kyiv), handmade bookmarks (from Zaporizhzhia), authentic and unique photographs of Ukraine (from the Carpathian Mountains).
Everyone has a story about how they got started, what was the inspiration or the catalyst for you?
When the full russian invasion of Ukraine started in February of 2022 I felt like I want to do something. Since I couldn’t leave my young kids, take arms and fight in Ukrainian Armed Forces I started to look for ways to help people I know and love. I met some new friends during my trip to Ukraine in June 2022 and understood that there are more ways to help people than just give them money. I decided to support Ukrainian businesses so talented artisans, photographers, crafters, artists, historians can keep creating and more people outside of Ukraine to have a benefit of owning these beautiful items and books.
Tell us about a time that you faced a challenging situation in your life, organization, business, or project. How did you find a solution, or over-come the challenge?
When you have too much to do and feel that you do not have enough time, the secret is to stay organized. It is like in the old saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So, if you put everything what you think needs to be done one the paper, prioritize it and do one thing at a time… all of a sudden – you have more time, less to do and are not stressed.
SHOP UKRAINIAN, BY UKRAINIANS, FOR UKRAINIANS
Running a business, an organization, a project is not always easy. What have your learned about yourself, about others along the way?
I learned that I could do it. Plus, that it is okay to ask other people for help.
We've all had that one moment that makes what we are doing worth it all. Can you share with us a story about the moment that really impacted you and touched your heart?
I feel that few times when our company placed an order for some hand-crafted items, it helped some artisans in ways we don’t really know. When your town is under constant daily missile attacks and you do not know will your normal place of work be standing tomorrow or not, some extra income is greatly appreciated.
If you could go back in time and give your self some advice on how to manage your business, nonprofit, or project, what advice would you give?
Stay calm and keep doing what it right.
If a potential client, donor, partner were reading this article right now, what would tell them about you, your team to convince them to choose you?
When you buy for EJ from Ukraine, you are helping to bring closer the victory of Ukraine over evil. Every purchase gives somebody hope that their work in appreciated on the other side of the world, that they are not alone in their fight for survival and that victory is coming.
What is one fact about you, your business, your nonprofit, your project that most people might not know?
I learned from my teenage daughter how to make short videos for YouTube for our business.
Where do you see your business, nonprofit, project going in the next 3 or 5 years?
I hope that we can bring more items from very talented Ukrainian artisans to the world market and that the whole world can appreciate all the beauty Ukraine has to offer.
It was so great sitting with you to learn more about you. How can people find out more about you, your business, nonprofit, or project?
We have a website: and all our other contacts are on the Link - https://linktr.ee/ejfromua
Thank you so much for sharing your story with HiHelloUkraine Story!
My pleasure.
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Author
Olena Brownfield
EJ from Ukraine
Published on:
December 28, 2022
Follow on social media:
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