Yuliia’s Story of Courage and Comeback

This International Women’s Day, we’re proud to celebrate women in business who show extraordinary resilience — and Yuliia Kushnir is one of them.

Before the war in Ukraine forced her to leave her home, Yuliia had built a thriving portrait and family photography studio in Kyiv. She had loyal clients, plans to expand, and a growing reputation. Arriving in York in 2024 with her younger brother, she suddenly faced the challenge of rebuilding everything from the ground up — in a new country, with new rules, and no professional network.

“I had the passion and the experience,” Yuliia says, “but I didn’t know how to translate that into a UK business.”

With support from her Momentic Business Adviser, Andrew Herrington, Yuliia began to rebuild — step by step. Together, they navigated UK self-employment registration, contracts, insurance, tax requirements and pricing structures. They refined her brand to connect with UK clients while staying true to her artistic voice.

But the real turning point came through community. Through introductions to local creatives and networking groups, Yuliia began forming relationships that led to referrals, collaborations and confidence.

“Andrew didn’t just help me with paperwork — he helped me find my place,” she explains.

Just six months later, Yuliia is fully established and working with families, small businesses and institutions across York. She has built a loyal client base and, most importantly, rediscovered her confidence.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Yuliia — and every woman in our community building something brave and new. Your journey matters, and your resilience inspires us all. 🌸