Many Ukrainians, including Olena Romanova, have opened businesses in Poland since fleeing Ukraine due to Russia's invasion last year. Approximately 30,000 businesses have been started by Ukrainian refugees in Poland, where they currently number around one million.
Romanova, who left behind a successful facial massage salon business in Kyiv, is now providing the same service in Poland with three business partners. One in ten new businesses in Poland is owned by a Ukrainian.
The challenges faced by these entrepreneurs include language barriers, unfamiliar laws, industries, labor markets, and products and services. Despite these difficulties, the Ukrainian community in Poland continues to grow, with businesses spanning various sectors, including construction, tech, and services like hairdressing.
Nova Poshta, Ukraine's largest postal service, has also expanded its services to cater to the Ukrainian community in Poland. However, long-term planning remains challenging for many Ukrainians in Poland due to the uncertainty caused by the war.