"Staying strong during hard times helps us keep our eyes on our long-term goals."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine, where we bring you an exclusive interview with Nadiya Albishchenko, the visionary CEO and founder of INAS ExIm LLC. Nadiya’s journey is a testament to the power of unwavering determination, adaptability, and innovative thinking in overcoming even the most challenging of circumstances.
In our candid conversation with Nadiya, she shares her remarkable experiences and insights on navigating crises and building resilience within her organization.
From the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the disruptions caused by the global pandemic, Nadiya Albishchenko has weathered storms that would have felled many others.
Her ability to not only survive but thrive during these turbulent times serves as an inspiration to CEOs and leaders everywhere.
Join us as we delve into Nadiya’s story, learn from her lessons in leadership, and discover the strategies she employs to prepare her business for an unpredictable future.
In this interview, Nadiya Albishchenko exemplifies what it means to be a truly resilient leader, offering invaluable wisdom to guide us through challenging times.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Nadiya Albishchenko: Hello, ValiantCEO Magazine readers! I am Nadiya Albishchenko, an entrepreneur who has always had a relentless thirst for knowledge. This passion has driven me to build a thriving empire of customized food solutions for the retail and food service industry in the Middle East and Africa.
My journey began with a strong foundation in education, holding two Master’s degrees in International Business and Genetics. With this diverse background, I ventured into various corporate experiences within the food industry. It was during this time that I became deeply fascinated by multinational companies and their commitment to growth.
In 2015, I took a significant step towards realizing my vision by establishing INAS Exim LLC. Initially, it began as a joint partnership in the UK and later evolved into my own company in the UAE in 2018. As the founder and leader of INAS Exim, my goal is to elevate Ukrainian produce to a global scale by providing tailor-made solutions for our clients.
My expertise in international trade, business management, and networking has been pivotal in forging strong partnerships with leading distributors in the Middle East and Africa. These collaborations have allowed us to reach new heights and serve our customers with excellence.
Beyond my entrepreneurial accomplishments, I am deeply passionate about sustainability and preserving nature. In alignment with these values, I have actively participated in initiatives like the Woman Talent competition and created the Mystique brand, both of which champion eco-friendly practices and raise awareness about environmental issues.
In September 2022, I achieved another milestone by releasing my debut business book, “Synergy: A Synopsis of an Elite Business Partnership.” This book, co-authored with my esteemed business partner, Vinay Gandhi, the Owner of Golden Star International LLC—one of the largest food distribution companies in the UAE—offers a captivating account of my experiences in international trade and business management.
I am truly honored to be here with you today, and I look forward to sharing more insights and experiences with ValiantCEO Magazine’s esteemed readers. Thank you for having me!
Can you share a time when your business faced a significant challenge? How did you navigate through it?
Nadiya Albishchenko: On 24th February 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine had a profound impact on my business, INAS ExIm LLC. As a Ukrainian, I have closely witnessed my country’s struggle for independence and growth.
This conflict severely disrupted all exports from Ukraine, jeopardizing my company’s future. Determined to overcome the challenges, I swiftly took action, analyzing the situation and seeking alternative solutions.
I strategically diversified my suppliers, collaborating with companies from Europe, Romania, Germany, India, and the UAE. This allowed me to secure supplies from various sources while awaiting Ukraine’s export situation to stabilize.
As an early adopter of alternative options, I managed to keep INAS ExIm operational and cover essential expenses during this difficult period.
The experience taught me invaluable lessons: to trust that every situation unfolds for the best, the significance of diversification in business, and the power of resilience and persistence.
By staying focused and giving my best, I successfully navigated through this significant challenge, ensuring the survival and stability of my company. Today, INAS ExIm continues to support Ukrainian exports while keeping alternative options open, driven by a spirit of perseverance and adaptability.
How has a failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?
Nadiya Albishchenko: A failure or apparent failure became a catalyst for my later success. When faced with challenges in exporting from Ukraine due to the Russian invasion, I proactively sought alternative ways to ensure INAS ExIm’s operations resumed.
This setback led me to explore new markets, diversifying our suppliers from other parts of the globe opening new doors and opportunities to work with European markets, Subcontinental markets, Australasian Markets and even the Gulf Markets especially the UAE.
The experience taught me resilience and the power of adapting to changing circumstances. It encouraged innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, leading to the discovery of new opportunities.
By embracing failure as a chance to learn and grow, INAS ExIm was not only able to resume operations but also expand its reach into previously untapped markets.
This transformative journey has shaped me into a more tenacious and forward-thinking entrepreneur. It taught me the importance of perseverance, resourcefulness, and seizing opportunities in the face of adversity. Through this process, I have emerged stronger, propelling INAS ExIm towards greater success in the global market.
How do you build a resilient team? What qualities do you look for in your team members?
Nadiya Albishchenko: Building a resilient team is crucial, especially during times of war and adversity. At INAS ExIm, I prioritize diversity in skills and backgrounds, seeking team members with complementary strengths. Strong communication is vital, fostering open dialogue and trust.
Adaptability is key, as resilient team members can quickly adjust to evolving circumstances.Problem-solving skills are highly valued, as innovative solutions are essential to overcome challenges. Positivity and optimism create a can-do spirit, boosting morale. Collaboration is fundamental, and I seek team players who support each other and work towards shared goals.
Emotional intelligence is crucial, allowing team members to understand and support each other during difficult times. Continuous learning is encouraged to equip the team with essential tools. Leadership potential is valued, ensuring multiple leaders can guide the team through tough situations.
Ultimately, building a resilient team at INAS ExIm centers on trust, respect, and creating a safe and supportive environment where team members feel valued and empowered to navigate through the war’s uncertainties.
How do you maintain your personal resilience during tough times?
Nadiya Albishchenko: Maintaining personal resilience during tough times is essential for navigating through challenges and staying focused on long-term goals. To achieve this, I adopt several strategies:
- Mindfulness and Self-awareness: I practice mindfulness to stay present and self-aware of my emotions and reactions. Understanding my feelings allows me to address them effectively and maintain a balanced perspective.
- Positive Outlook: I cultivate a positive outlook by focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This helps me maintain optimism and belief in overcoming obstacles.
- Seeking Support: I lean on my support system, including family, friends, and mentors. Sharing concerns and seeking advice from trusted individuals helps me gain perspective and feel supported.
- Continuous Learning: Embracing a growth mindset and viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth helps me develop new skills and find innovative solutions.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Being open to change and willing to adapt to evolving circumstances is key to staying resilient in the face of uncertainty.
- Focus on Purpose: Reminding myself of my purpose and long-term goals motivates me to persevere during tough times.
- By combining these strategies, I reinforce my personal resilience and maintain the strength needed to weather challenging situations with determination and poise.
What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis?
Nadiya Albishchenko: To manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis, I employ a combination of proactive planning and effective communication. By staying prepared for potential worst-case scenarios, I can respond swiftly and decisively when a crisis hits, minimizing financial losses and ensuring business continuity.
Constant communication with key stakeholders and the team fosters a sense of trust and cohesion, allowing us to work together effectively to find solutions.
Innovation plays a crucial role during difficult times, as it encourages creative thinking and the development of unique products and services that cater to market demands.
Compassion and empathy are essential qualities that influence my interactions with employees, customers, and stakeholders, creating a positive company culture that fosters loyalty and long-term relationships.
To enhance decision-making skills, I expose my team to real challenging situations, forcing them to make critical decisions under pressure. This experience hones their abilities and prepares them for real-life crises.
In summary, being prepared, fostering effective communication, encouraging innovation, practicing empathy, building trust, and improving decision-making are strategies that help me manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis. These practices contribute to the resilience of the company and its ability to navigate through difficult situations successfully.
How do you communicate with your team during a crisis?
Nadiya Albishchenko: During the crisis, I communicated with my team through transparent and regular updates. I faced the challenge of two supportive employees leaving the company during Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.
Initially, I tried managing with minimal expenses, but it became evident that zero trade from Ukraine wouldn’t sustain the company. To ensure survival, I swiftly sought alternative suppliers from Europe and other regions.
Diversifying our sources helped us secure supplies and maintain stability. Eventually, we found alternative export channels and resumed Ukrainian exports while keeping alternative options open.
This experience taught me the importance of resilience, diversification, and belief in finding the best solutions. Transparent communication and trust within the team were pivotal in navigating through the crisis successfully.
What advice would you give to other CEOs on building resilience in their organizations?
Nadiya Albishchenko: Embrace change as opportunities, and instill a culture of belief and persistence. Building resilience enables organizations to adapt to challenges and thrive in uncertainty.
How do you prepare your business for potential future crises?
Nadiya Albishchenko: My advice for any business is to proactively prepare for crises by fostering effective communication and delegating responsibilities within the team. Practicing responses to worst-case scenarios equips the company to handle real-life challenges, ensuring business continuity, improved stakeholder communication, and fostering team confidence and trust.
These advantages prove critical in navigating difficult situations and maintaining resilience. Always have a back-up plan, do not take things for granted and most of all keep your doors open especially with business relationship with both your vendors and possible suppliers and one never knows when you need them.
Most importantly it is very important to be level headed and humble no matter how far you have reached in your journey to success.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership in times of crisis?
Nadiya Albishchenko: In times of crisis, the role of leadership becomes paramount in guiding an organization through uncertainty and adversity.
The most crucial lesson for leaders is to maintain a calm and decisive demeanor, as it significantly impacts the team’s morale and the company’s overall response to the crisis.
For instance, let’s consider a war situation that disrupts a company’s operations, similar to the scenario faced by my company INAS ExIm during the conflict in Ukraine. In such a dire situation, the owner composed and resolute leadership was instrumental in steering the company through the challenging times.
By securing alternative suppliers, enhancing communication, and diversifying markets, the company ensured continuity. The team rallied behind the decisive leader, fostering resilience and collective effort. In times of uncertainty, a composed leader instills confidence and focus, guiding the organization through adversity and propelling it towards success.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Nadiya Albishchenko for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Nadiya Albishchenko or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
