Starting Again With Strength: Olga’s Story

“The course helped me come back to life. This system of support renewed my confidence, and helped me grow, understand and feel I belong here.”

When Olga arrived in the UK from Ukraine in the summer of 2022, the only English she spoke was ‘Hello, my name is Olga’, yet she faced the daunting challenge of starting over in a new country with three children.

Sponsored to settle in England, she quickly realised that rebuilding her life would require courage, resilience and support networks. On her journey to build her life in the North East of England, she found FIRST’s enterprise skills learning qualification became a cornerstone of her journey not just to self-employment, but integration.

Olga is a person brimming with positive energy and a background full of diverse experiences. She had worked in communications, played tennis professionally and ran a business in Ukraine selling skincare and fashion pieces. But then war disrupted everything and she was forced to leave behind the life she had built, not knowing when she could return.

Building Courage and Skills

For Olga, learning English was not just about communication; it was about finding belonging. Alongside her language studies, FIRST’s qualifications provided her with the tools to understand British business culture. “It wasn’t simply about new skills. I already had experience from my previous company. But FIRST gave me structure, knowledge of UK practices and the confidence to represent myself professionally. I’ve never seen people like brits in the North, my group helped me adapt, integrate and believe in myself again. It was a powerful start to a new direction and chapter in my life.”

She expressed deep gratitude to the team at FIRST, especially Sam, Richard and Charlotte. “Without them, my journey wouldn’t have been so inspiring. Richard’s took time to guide and support me. His professionalism and care helped me grow; I felt respected and included. Charlotte’s kindness and human approach reminded me of who I am. Sam’s encouragement gave me courage. Together, they helped me believe in myself again.”

Through the programme, Olga learned how British communications work, how to shape ideas into a structured business plan and how to build confidence within her new community. “The mission wasn’t just to teach business. It was to support entrepreneurship and build courage. That was exactly what I needed.”

From Survival to Entrepreneurship

Olga quickly realised that traditional employment would be difficult with three children and limited English. But she also knew she had a gift for communication and a passion for selling. “I understood I couldn’t just go to work somewhere, but I could sell. I love to express myself and connect with people. FIRST showed me how to do that responsibly and professionally.”

Her entrepreneurial journey began with registering as self-employed and experimenting with different products. Initially, she sold the creams she had done in Ukraine, but when contracts ended, she pivoted to jewellery inspired by her lifelong love of tennis. “It’s a unique story. I played tennis professionally for many years, and I wanted to create designs that reflect sport and style. I worked with a craftsman also from Ukraine to make handmade pieces. People always asked about them, and I realised this could be something new for the market.”

She began selling through Etsy and Amazon, building her brand step by step. “I don’t have big sales yet, but I’m developing strategies. I want to branch out to sports clubs and have started to monetise Instagram and Facebook. Every day I’m growing my personal brand. It’s about representing myself, showing my energy and building trust.”

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Her Voice

Olga felt one of her biggest challenges was presenting in English when she was a finalist in Startup Awards North East. She had never stood on a stage before for business, only as a tennis player. “I was nervous, discombobulated, but I put my heart into it. It was a huge challenge, but it gave me energy. Even though I only managed part of my pitch, I had overcome that fear.”

This reflects her wider journey: step by step, she was finding her voice in a new country. “When you’ve just learned English, you must go step by step. Now I have a brand, and I will get where I want in time. The course gave me the courage to stand up, to represent myself and believe in my future.”

Looking Ahead

“The course helped me recover so fast. It reminded me of who I am — someone who creates, communicates and gives back. It gave me tools to grow, a powerful start to a new direction and a chapter in my life I never imagined.”

Olga’s ambitions are as big as her energy. She wants to grow her jewellery brand, expand into gold and diamond designs and reach more sports clubs and fans. She also dreams of writing a book about her journey, exploring life through the eyes of a Ukrainian woman adapting to British society. Her story is full of resilience, adaptation, and hope. “The war made me tenacious. FIRST gave me clarity, confidence, and a mission. Now I have the tools to move forward and the belief that I can truly succeed here.”