From escaping war to building businesses: How some Ukrainians are investing in their future in Manitoba
CBC
When Olha Zolotkova arrived in Winnipeg just months after Russia’s mass invasion of Ukraine in 2022, she didn’t speak English.
Now, she’s building her own business.
"I’m so excited.… A little bit worried about it, you know, but I’m happy because now we have freedom, we have chance [to] start something new," Zolotkova said in her new Exchange District showroom.
But this wasn’t always part of her plan.
Over the years, Zolotkova worked as a teacher, principal and textbook editor in Ukraine. She started thinking about starting her own business when she came to Canada, but figured it would be a daycare.
While on summer break from her job as an educational assistant at a Winnipeg school, she decided to launch By Zola, an online store and by-appointment clothing boutique specializing in plus-size clothing for women.
It's something she saw a need for when shopping in Winnipeg.
"When I tried to [find] clothes for me, it was [a] challenge," she said.
Zolotkova, who also still works as an educational assistant, hopes there's a market for the clothing lines she's bringing in.
"It’s something new for me, and I like both things — education and create something," she said.
"We’ll see, and I hope … it will be successful."
Nearly 30,000 Ukrainians arrived in Manitoba through the province’s reception and welcoming centre since February 2022, according to a provincial spokesperson. More than 27,600 health cards were issued.
Neither the province or organizations CBC checked with are tracking how many people have started businesses here. But Zolotkova isn't the only one that has.
Mila Shykota, who arrived in Winnipeg following the start of the war, created the Ukrainian Guide to Winnipeg.
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