Employees sewing at the Crazy Holka shop. (Making Cents International)
At 33, Bohdan was always a positive force in his village. He started out small with a deep commitment to local nongovernmental organization (NGO) work, organizing film screenings and workshops for villagers. Though he loved his NGO work, Bohdan’s needed something he could take ownership of, so he started a sewing class in 2019. This class marked an important transition for him, eventually leading to the creation of his business, Crazy Holka.
Bohdan working in his shop, Crazy Holka.
Initially, Bohdan started with just three sewing machines and three employees working from home. From there, the business grew into a production facility with multiple employees, improved production processes, and the ability to meet significant product demand. Crazy Holka specializes in sewing knitwear, such as workwear, furniture covers, and Ukrainian flags. Thanks to Bohdan’s initiative, his employees enjoy stable work and decent pay, along with opportunities to grow professionally by learning new skills and developing their creativity. These changes were driven by dedication, commitment to development, and continuous improvement.
Bohdan’s garment shop faced significant challenges during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Constant power outages and building damage caused by shelling forced the Crazy Holka team to relocate to Bohdan’s aunt’s house, a more reliable source of electricity. However, some workers had to quit due to the distance from their homes. Additionally, the store’s operations were significantly affected by the border blockade carried out by Polish truckers, disrupting supply chains and delaying raw materials from within and outside Ukraine. Despite this uncertainty, Bohdan’s team showed remarkable resilience, overcoming difficulties by seeking alternative routes and suppliers, ensuring the continuity of their work. Their strategic efforts paid off when they secured new orders from Switzerland and France.
That same year, Bohdan learned about the Ukrainian National Identity Through Youth (UNITY) Activity through the website Hromadske Prostir, a popular resource for finding new opportunities in Ukraine. Making Cents International supported the activity by providing financial and mentoring support aimed at social enterprises in Ukraine, promoting their development and directing investments to create significant social and economic impacts to improve local communities. Bohdan’s interest in the Rapid Business Support program was driven by his desire to expand production and create more jobs. He saw the potential to grow his business but needed additional resources to implement his plans. UNITY provided Bohdan with the resources to expand production and create more jobs.
Bohdan already had an idea of the equipment he needed before the program. Financial support in the form of a grant from UNITY significantly accelerated his plans, allowing him to purchase higher-quality sewing machines than he initially considered. The program also helped Bohdan prioritize which improvements to implement first to achieve the fastest results. Crazy Holka purchased seven specialized sewing machines and large tables for cutting patterns. The new equipment allowed Bohdan to create five additional jobs and contributed to a 30 percent increase in production. Crazy Holka expanded from offering only single sewing to include cutting and pattern development, making it more agile and responsive to market demands.
Today, Bohdan’s business has grown to employ 16 women at the factory. All of them receive a living wage and have opportunities for personal and professional growth. Employees are actively responsible for complex production tasks that require creative problem-solving approaches. This responsibility allows them to directly acquire new skills and abilities in the workplace.
Because of his new business skills and further contributing to his community, Bohdan became a serial entrepreneur. In addition to his main sewing business, he is also part of an agricultural cooperative, running a small farm with 20 dairy cows. The farm supplies fresh milk, sour cream, and cheese, which are in high demand among locals due to their high quality and natural origin. Bohdan’s businesses thrive on producing high-quality products for a wide client base. Because of this diversity, if one business encounters difficulties, the other can keep it afloat. For example, if there are animal problems, like low production, Bohdan can use profits from the garment business to help the farm, and vice versa.
Bohdan advises other young entrepreneurs to seek and take advantage of every opportunity they can find. “Find a problem to solve or a niche to fill and do not be afraid to take risks,” he explains. “Experiment to find your way and succeed.”
Crazy Holka’s story is not just one of business success but also of social impact and resilience in the face of adversity. Thanks to UNITY, Bohdan expanded Crazy Holka’s production and bolstered its capacity to withstand external challenges. He was able to scale and diversify his business services to contribute positively to the local and regional economy. Through his leadership and innovation, Bohdan inspires young entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams with courage and determination.
This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Making Cents International and do not necessarily reflect the views of IREX, USAID or the United States Government.