Episode 96 - Building a Business in a Country Where Nobody Knows Your Name with Olha Barabash
Starting a wedding business in a new market is challenging, but what happens when you're starting over in an entirely new country where you don't know anyone? In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin sits down with Olha Barabash, founder and creative director of Sense of Moment, to discuss her journey from building a career in Ukraine to starting from scratch in New York City. Olha shares how she established credibility, built industry relationships, and found opportunities without an existing network.
Olha discusses the importance of putting yourself out there, staying consistent, and building genuine connections with fellow wedding professionals. She also shares why authenticity matters more than appearing successful, how to adapt to a new market without losing your creative identity, and why taking risks is essential to growing your business.
Olha Barabash is the Founder and Creative Director of Sense of Moment, a luxury wedding planning and event design studio based in New York City. With over 14 years of experience designing high-end celebrations across the US and Europe, Olha takes a concept-first approach β every event begins with what she calls an "origin audit," a process for uncovering a couple's real story before any design decisions are made. Originally from Ukraine, Olha built her US business from the ground up with no existing local network, an experience that continues to shape how deliberately she approaches every client relationship and project.
Highlights:
The challenges of starting a wedding business in a new country without an established client base, professional network, or local reputation
How to establish credibility in a new market by leveraging previous experience, exploring new opportunities, and collaborating with fellow wedding professionals
Why genuine relationships, consistent networking, and community over competition are essential to building a strong referral network
How stepping outside the wedding industry and taking on different types of events can create unexpected opportunities for business growth
The importance of staying authentic, embracing rejection, and adapting to a new market without losing your creative identity
Olha's advice for wedding professionals starting over, including staying curious, remaining flexible, practicing emotional intelligence, and taking risks
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