In times when stability feels like a luxury, places where one can pause, breathe, and feel care become truly precious. Nadiia Drushliak has created just such a space in the town of Irpin — she is the founder of Victory beauty studios. Her story is not only about running a business in difficult circumstances, but also about faith, action, and the power of women’s support. She shares how she started by renting a single workstation, how she held on to her belief when she had to be both the stylist and the manager. She also turned her business into a space where clients find not only beauty services but also peace. In this interview — her story of challenges, inspiration, a team that became like family, and the kind of beauty that begins with atmosphere.

Please tell us about your journey in the beauty business: how did it all begin, what were your first steps, and what helped you believe in the idea from the very start?

My journey in the beauty industry began when I worked as a stylist in a salon. Eventually, I made the decision to rent my own space and start working independently. That was a big step — taking on responsibility, finding my own clients, and developing my personal work style.
After the full-scale invasion, I felt an even stronger urge to create something of my own — something stable and alive — and that’s when I opened my first beauty studio.
What guided me was faith, the support of my clients, and a deep belief that beauty is not just about appearance, but about care, presence, and the strength we can give to one another.

Your experience of opening two studios is more than entrepreneurship — it’s growth in a very difficult time. What were the biggest challenges you faced on this path, and how did you overcome them — both internally and externally?

The biggest challenge came right at the beginning, when I opened my first studio after the full-scale invasion. Not everyone had returned to our town, Irpin — there were very few clients, and it was difficult to find professionals to join the team.
I was almost entirely on my own: I was the stylist, the manager, the receptionist, and the cleaner. I did everything I could to keep the studio alive.
It was physically and emotionally exhausting. But I held on to the idea and believed it was temporary.
As people began to return, I got my first loyal clients and was finally able to build my team. That gave me the opportunity to delegate, share responsibilities, and focus on development instead of just survival.
What helped me internally was faith — in myself and in those around me. Externally, it was action — even when I was afraid. I simply kept moving forward, one step at a time.

The team is the heart of any space. How do you build relationships with the people who work alongside you? Do you have any principles or personal approaches to creating a positive atmosphere within your team?

For me, the team is like a family. I support every woman however I can — with words and actions. Our relationships go beyond just work — we genuinely support one another.
I always say: “We don’t just work together — we create together.”
I build relationships based on trust, sincerity, and mutual respect. I give freedom, I don’t pressure anyone, but I’m always there when help or advice is needed.
It’s very important to me that the studio feels warm not just for clients, but for every team member. Because when there’s love within the team, it naturally flows into our work.

In your studios, clients receive more than just a service — they experience warmth, calm, and care. How do you see the role of such spaces in today’s reality? And what does beauty mean to you, in a broader sense?

In today’s world, a beauty studio is a space where a person can exhale, feel cared for, confident, and at peace. Our clients often tell us that the atmosphere feels “like home.” We remember everyone’s name, greet them with a smile, know their preferences, and offer exactly what suits them best. Our clients feel special. For me, beauty is not just about appearance — it’s about how you feel. When a woman leaves the salon with her head held high, smiling, and with light in her eyes — that’s beauty.