Meet Olena Pokalchuk | Digital Marketer, Co-founder of The Digital State Marketing Agency

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

Hi Olena, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Better to swing for the fences and miss than never step up to the plate at all.
That’s my motto whenever those doubts and wobbly knees creep in. Living in Ukraine, you get a real crash course in risk-taking. It’s everywhere, from the everyday stuff like “will we have clients next quarter?” to the more “will a missile land on my house tomorrow?” kind of worries. That’s just the reality of my life these days.
But back in March 2022, at the height of Russia’s full-scale invasion of my country, my business partners and I took a massive leap of faith. We started our own marketing agency, right in the middle of all that mess. Air raid sirens every few hours, no idea what tomorrow would bring – yeah, it was a risk. But the drive to build something, to create and to help other businesses thrive even in crazy times… that fire in our bellies was way stronger than the fear. No risk, no reward, right? And hey, look at us now. We’re a marketing agency with a decent portfolio of clients and cases, building marketing strategies for businesses and providing marketing mentoring and consulting services.
I for sure wouldn’t call myself a total daredevil. On a risk-taker scale of 1 to 100, I’m probably a solid 75. I gotta weigh the pros and cons, you know? But that other 25? That’s all about trusting the universe to have our backs.

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?
Adapting to a New Reality
The full-scale invasion of russia in Ukraine in February 2022 sent shockwaves through the country, plunging it into chaos and uncertainty. Amidst the air raid sirens and constant news of atrocities made by invaders, it was easy to lose hope. The only way to keep somehow your mental mood is to be busy – to work, to help other, to volunteer, and that was what we did.
The idea for The Digital State, a marketing agency, was born out of a conversation between me and one of my current business partners, with whom I used to worked together in a previous company. United by a shared passion for professional growth and a desire to provide high-quality services, we knew that starting something our own great would require a strong team. So, we eagerly asked our another partner to join us in this. We had each other, luckily.
Our journey was not without its challenges. The initial plan to launch in February 2022 was disrupted by the full-scale war, forcing us to adapt and move forward with uncertainty. We started small, starting The Digital State as an SMM agency and focusing on social media marketing (SMM) and helping businesses navigate the online. We knew we needed experience, so we even took on some pro bono projects, working with 3 Ukrainian HoReCa brands that were also volunteering to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. These experiences proved invaluable, allowing us to hone our skills and gain a deeper understanding of the industry.
Transforming into a Full Marketing Agency

Over the next two years, The Digital State underwent a remarkable transformation. We evolved from an SMM agency into a full-fledged marketing butik agency. Today, we offer a comprehensive suite of services, including marketing strategy development, marketing mentorship, and consulting. Our portfolio boasts over 20 successful projects with Ukrainian and even American small and medium-sized businesses.
How did we get here? Pure hard work, a willingness to adapt to the ever-changing business landscape (because let’s face it, things change fast these days), and a commitment to making our clients happy. The most rewarding aspect? Building a reputation based on word-of-mouth. Most of our clients come through referrals and positive reviews – a true reflection of the results we deliver.
This journey has taught me so much, both about myself and about running a business. The biggest lessons? Surround yourself with great people, have a clear vision, and never stop working hard. Here’s the bonus advice I learned the hard way:
If you’re not on the front lines, you’re working. If you’re working, you’re still contributing.
Planning is crucial, but be ready to adapt. Today’s world demands adaptability. Adaptability is key.
Don’t wait for tomorrow – seize the day, because it might not come. There’s no time to procrastinate. It’s either now or never.
Resourcefulness is key. You can overcome anything, even power outages.
The Digital State is proof that even in the darkest times, you can build something incredible. We’re dedicated to our clients, we’re flexible enough to roll with the punches, and we’re just getting started. We’re excited to see what the future holds!
Reflecting on the Journey
Running your own business is a constant learning experience. It forces me to reflect on what I am doing and how I am doing it. I’m lucky to have had four years of experience in the corporate world. I was used to working long hours, juggling multiple projects, and adapting to change. But even then, there was a lot I didn’t know.
For the first two years of The Digital State, I was still working full-time at my corporate job at IT company as a marketing specialist. I was putting in 10-12 hour days, but I knew it was worth it. I was building something I was passionate about, and I was helping people.
Finally, after two years, I took the plunge and quit my corporate job. It’s been a wild ride ever since, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My journey has taught me a few important lessons:
Surround yourself with great people. A good team is essential for any business.
Have a clear vision. What do you want to achieve with your business?
Be willing to adapt. Things don’t always go according to plan, so be prepared to change course as needed.
Work hard. There’s no substitute for hard work.
Be passionate. If you’re not passionate about your business, it will be hard to succeed.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to build The Digital State. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience. I’m excited to see what the future holds for our company and for our clients.
Additional Insights
In addition to the lessons I’ve shared above, I’ve also learned a few other valuable things along the way:
The importance of giving back. We’ve always made it a priority to give back to our community. We’ve donated our time and services to a number of local charities and organizations.
The power of networking. Networking has been essential to our growth. We’ve met so many amazing people through networking, and it’s led to a number of great opportunities.
The value of customer satisfaction. We always put our clients first.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I had the chance to visit LA once and completely fell in love with the city. It has a certain vibe that really resonated with me. Here are some of my favorite spots that I visited:
– Santa Monica State Beach: This is a classic LA beach experience. I loved spending time on the sand, soaking up the sun, and people-watching. There’s also a great pier with a Ferris wheel and arcade games.
– Beverly Hills Streets: Walking or driving down the streets of Beverly Hills is like being in a movie. I loved seeing the luxurious houses and shops.
– Beachwood Canyon: This is a more bohemian and artistic neighborhood that I really enjoyed exploring. There are some great cafes, shops, and hiking trails in this area. It has a completely different feel than Beverly Hills.
– The Broad: This contemporary art museum is a must-see for any art lover. The building itself is a work of art, and the collection is truly impressive. It’s a great place to get inspired and see something new.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Deepest thanks to my mom, who instilled endless self-belief in me. To my love. To my friends who became family, and everyone who supported me through thick and thin. Huge shoutout to my supportive ex-managers and colleagues for shaping me professionally. Finally, to my “The Digital State” girls – you’re my rockstars! Here’s to crushing it together!

Website: https://www.thedigitalstate.co/en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helen_pokalchuk/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-pokalchuk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OlenaPokalchuk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@prydumaly_podcast

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hONSflaYugJ8hFyRcOrm2?si=RoknazyOQuKIzXAskdxrZA – our podcast

Image Credits
All images are personal