Grace & Glam
As a businesswoman for the past 13 years, I’ve felt like an Iron Lady in a bulletproof jacket, building an empire in a challenging, male-dominated industry, wearing men’s muddy steel boots 24/7. Often working dusk till dawn in the freezing cold or pouring rain to fulfill orders for export, we have been the first to arrive and the last to leave, sometimes staying hours into the night to ensure our customers’ orders are shipped on time.
I have been surrounded by men who don’t necessarily respond well to tears and vulnerability. Despite this, I’ve earned respect from some of our most powerful entrepreneurs and clients worldwide. Our business revolves around understanding when to take risks and mastering the psychology of behaviour. Trust is virtue, especially when millions are on the line.
My husband’s British mentality, combined with my Russian entrepreneurial spirit, has been a great tool in our success – We embrace our dual perspectives and sometimes our diWerences; to create a beautiful partnership, which we cherish and value. Together, we built one of the largest engine export companies in the UK from the ground up, navigating numerous challenges along the way. Life has tested us well, and I've learned that before something significant can emerge, you often must endure losses and make sacrifices.
The mission of our company is to empower our esteemed clients, to enhance their market presence; we operate in over 50 countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and soon Australia. Over the years, the company has transformed into something beyond our wildest dreams, taking us to places we never thought possible. This journey has not only empowered us but also helped us achieve our dreams - while inspiring others close to us to chase theirs.
My husband has always been my greatest mentor. He has taught me valuable lessons that no classroom could ever oWer. I am grateful for his guidance and the way our relationship continues to grow and evolve. Together, we navigate challenges and celebrate our beautiful life that we built together. I cherish the profound impact he has on my life.
My core beliefs—courage, resilience, respect, kindness, and compassion—these are principles I always carry with me in my daily life.
It's crucial to me that the people in my circle are happy. Life is not defined by how many times we face adversity, but by how we rise and reclaim our strength. I strive to transform negativity into positivity, bringing a spirit of perseverance in everything I do.
In life you should always challenge yourself, always strive to level up and never have the mentality that you can fail. I believe in pushing my limits and never entertaining a Plan B. I find inspiration in my life experiences and turn to God for guidance.
Each morning, I wake up with joy, grateful for the opportunity of another day on this earth, to create my own world.
I have always had dreams that soar high, nothing is impossible! - and I will always fully encourage others to embrace their own dreams and aspirations.
It is a privilege and an honour to represent UAE, a remarkable city, that my family and I cherish as our home, in the Mrs Universe Finals - As a participant in Mrs. Universe, I am grateful to be able to celebrate and express our strong feminine power we hold as women. I believe that true beauty comes from a woman’s respect for herself and to those she invites into her circle. I would also like to express my true gratitude for the opportunity to have met so many beautiful, intelligent, and powerful women from over 100 countries. Here in South Korea, I truly value the exchange of knowledge and the friendships I’ve built.
Finally, I want to express my immense gratitude to the lovely Anna Gunko, the founder and the head of the international fashion club “Fast Start” – for all her help and guidance through-out the Mrs Universe final. She has been by my side, my guiding light, always encouraging me to see the true beauty within myself. Her support has been a source of strength, and she truly knows how to uplift and inspire.
