Meet Anastasiia Havrylko | Business owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anastasiia Havrylko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anastasiia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always envisioned myself working for myself. Back in my first years of university, when I was looking for a job, I faced this choice. Since people without experience were offered very low salaries and most positions required full-time availability, which wasn’t compatible with daytime studies, I realized that I should try to find something where I could earn on my own terms and choose a schedule that worked for me. That’s how I discovered my first profession and started my business, which lasted for 10 years.

Of course, I’ve had experience working for others, especially during times of relocation and immigration. However, the very thought of being obligated to someone else, having to follow a schedule that wasn’t my own choice, always terrified me. Perhaps I was simply not born to work for someone else on a permanent basis. Looking back, I now understand that running a business often means even more responsibility and time commitment than working for someone else.

Business is not easy, but for me, it’s a vital part of my life and identity. It also gives me an incredible sense of freedom.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I’m currently running an e-commerce business on Amazon! I created my own brand *Shine Inside*, which for me is not only a beautiful name but also holds a deeper meaning. It represents the essence I want to convey through my products—bringing joy to people and filling their lives with delightful, meaningful details.

My journey began with learning the ropes. Drawing from my experience in the nail industry, I understood that success requires time, effort, and investment. Initially, I expected quicker results and gave myself up to six months to see my first net profit, but in reality, it took about 10 months.

Despite the daily challenges I face in this business, I don’t give up because I clearly see the goals I want to achieve. Meditation practices also help me focus on the positive aspects and organize my thoughts. I continue to learn and deepen my knowledge in this field, and I can already see how much I’ve grown in understanding specific processes. Every next step I take now brings better and faster results.

For those who want to start something new but are afraid, I’d like to add that only inaction keeps you away from your goal. I know that things might not work out immediately—this was also true at the beginning of my nail business—but if you are passionate about what you do and stay committed to your goals, you will definitely succeed. That’s why I firmly believe in my success and the success of anyone who works toward their goals every single day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The most breathtaking destination I would recommend is the Maldives. It’s a unique place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and truly recharge. The underwater world is so indescribably beautiful that I would tell a friend to explore every reef nearby and take in the unforgettable wonders of marine nature.

My itinerary would be simple—the islands are usually very tiny, so you can’t exactly stroll around like in a city exploring architecture. However, it’s definitely worth going snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, and indulging in lobsters and other fresh seafood readily available there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to pay tribute and express my gratitude to my parents for never forbidding me to make my own choices and always supporting me, as well as to my husband, who is now encouraging me as I embark on a new business venture in a completely unfamiliar field. Additionally, as self-centered as it might sound, I want to thank myself for always choosing to stay true to myself and following my instincts.

From my earlier story about what inspired me to start my own business, it’s clear that I initially ventured into the nail care industry, gaining extensive experience and achieving many milestones in this field in my home country. However, after immigrating and reopening my nail business in Los Angeles, I realized that the opportunities in this field here were quite different for me compared to back home, and I came to understand that it wasn’t exactly what I wanted anymore.

After many transitions in my life, I realized that I wanted to build an online business. That led me to one of the most significant decisions of my life: changing my career path. While this decision might have seemed strange or incomprehensible to many—why give up something that brings you income and in which you excel?—I’m glad I listened to myself. And so, I set out on a new journey in the world of online business.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gavrilko_gnailart?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==