From Kharkiv to Brovary: the inspiring journey of a relocated entrepreneur who adapted and achieved success.
Brovary is becoming an increasingly attractive city for business operations. Local authorities actively support entrepreneurs by providing grants, consultations, and development opportunities. It is this support that allows many business owners to find not only a new home in Brovary but also a favorable environment for realizing their ideas. Svitlana Gerasimova, the owner of the medical clothing brand “Khalat MD,” is one of those who has taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the community. Her story exemplifies how, even in challenging times, one can not only recover but also grow a business, writes UNN.
How the Brand Idea Emerged
Svitlana started her business back in 2018 in Kharkiv while working as a dentist.
“At that time, there was no comfortable, stylish clothing. We found elastic, breathable fabric and began making exactly that kind of clothing, similar to American models,” the entrepreneur shares.
Her husband, who had experience in the sewing industry, supported the idea and helped organize production.
Svitlana hails from Kharkiv. Due to the full-scale war, her family was forced to leave their hometown.
“My husband went to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and was deployed to Brovary. That's why we moved here. We had temporarily lived in Chernivtsi, but we decided to stay in Brovary,” the entrepreneur reveals.
Support from the Community
In Brovary, Svitlana was able to restore her business and receive substantial support. In 2024, she became the winner of the grant program “Own Business,” receiving 500,000 hryvnias. Additionally, she won the “Women’s Opportunities” grant and participated in the “Brave” initiative.
Svitlana also took part in a competition organized by the Brovary UWE HUB—a hub created to support women entrepreneurs.
“Before this, I was just floating along without understanding what needed to be done. This (participation in the UWE HUB contest) really opened my eyes to the business world.
I realized that I needed to learn and develop this. And yes, it is a very cool initiative. And it was free,” Svitlana notes.
Brand Features
“Khalat MD” is known for the quality of its materials and unique designs. One of the brand's main features is the ability to print designs on clothing for medical professionals of various specialties.
“We collaborate with a designer who creates custom designs for clinics or specific specialties. This is our unique selling point,” the entrepreneur explains.
The brand's main clients are doctors from private clinics and large corporate clients, such as major pharmacy chains. Svitlana mentioned that they can produce large batches of medical clothing.
012How War Strengthened the Business
The war brought many challenges but also became a catalyst for growth.
“In 2022, I was left without a team, suppliers, and production capacities. But we managed to rebuild everything from scratch. Now the situation is much better than it was then,” Svitlana shares.
Despite the difficulties, the brand continues to grow, and today, the entrepreneur plans to enter the international market.
Svitlana intends to hire a wholesale trade manager to work with corporate clients and expand production.
“I also plan to engage in exports, but first, I want to undergo training on this matter,” she added.
Svitlana Gerasimova's story is a vivid example of how one can create a successful business in Brovary. Thanks to community support, persistence, and an innovative approach, the brand “Khalat MD” not only carved out its niche in the market but also became a symbol of strength and adaptability among Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
Additionally
In Brovary, the City Council operates a Business Support Center where entrepreneurs and those planning to start their own businesses can receive free consultations on issues such as business registration, premises rental, and grant acquisition. This year, around 150 people, primarily from micro and small businesses, have sought assistance from the Center.
According to Brovary Mayor Ihor Sapozhko, during the martial law period, the implementation of 76 investment projects has attracted over 466 million hryvnias in investments and created nearly 600 new jobs. He added that during the martial law period, the number of various companies and individual entrepreneurs in the Brovary community has increased to over 18,000.
Besides foreign funding, Brovary will also receive additional assistance from sister cities. For instance, German partners provided the local community with generators, medical equipment, special vehicles, and much more. To define specific areas for further cooperation with their Ukrainian counterparts, a representative of the German sister city of Jena, city councilor Matthias Mitt, visited Brovary in October.
Overall, as part of cooperation with the German cities of Jena and Erlangen, as well as the district of Lahn-Dill, Brovary received three ambulances, four fire trucks, three units of municipal transport, one school bus, generators, and various equipment for educational institutions in the community and the modular town where displaced persons live.