Oksana was shortlisted in the
2009 YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
More on the competition.
"Youth Business
Ukraine has completely changed my life. From
an unconfident, weak, dependent woman I’ve become a
self-confident, strong, financially independent woman who is not
afraid of the future."
Oksana Usanova
Oksana Usanova:
Rural Green Tourism Services, Ukraine
Supported by: Youth Business Ukraine
Whilst most would consider losing their job a setback, Oksana
Usanova viewed it as an opportunity to set up Rural Green Tourism
Services.
This, the first green tourist business in the Luhansk
region of Ukraine, allowed her to pour her energy and enthusiasm
into sharing her love of her native region and passion for the
environment.
Her success has not only rescued her and her young daughter from
poverty and brought a new industry to the region, but it has also
inspired other women to be courageous and think creatively in order
to realise their entrepreneurial dreams.
Despite going to college, Oksana struggled to find
meaningful work in her local region that had an 80%
unemployment rate. In the meantime her husband was also
unable to find work and began to drink heavily. Oksana took
the difficult step of divorcing him and setting up on her own with
her young child.
Oksana heard about Youth Business Ukraine through a friend and,
after her employer went bankrupt, decided to set up a business in
what she enjoyed and knew the most about: tourism.
Oksana has had to work hard to set up her business and promote
the concept of eco-tourism. Her mentor helped her to develop a
business strategy promoting the concept in the local area and
establishing contacts with NGOs and other partners that were
interested in the development of rural tourism.
In this way, Oksana has not only been able to create a more
successful business, but also to ensure that she is doing the most
she can for the environment.
More about the Entrepreneur of the
Year Award 2009