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«We still have not replaced the panoramic windows shattered by a shockwave»: Kharkiv coffee shop still pouring coffee in the city’s centre despite hardships

The «LyaTyuSho» cafe-souvenir shop in Kharkiv has been open for over five years now. What used to be large panoramic windows is now replaced with plywood. This Spring Kharkiv has once again faced massive shellings. There have already been two intense strikes next to the coffee shop - literally 20 metres away

Yuliya Maleyeva

«LyaTyuSho» is located at the very centre of Kharkiv. Photo: private archive

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Fewer clients, increase in prices, new personnel due to migration, unexpected bills caused by constant power cuts (such as buying a generator or throwing away products gone bad because of unpowered refrigerators) - these are the least of the problems that the coffee shop’s owners Daria and Mykhailo Lazaryevs have to put up with:

- Many people left because of the uneasy circumstances, and it took its toll on the amount of clients. This is certainly difficult from a business point of view because we have rent and obligations to the collective, people need to be paid. But people left and there are fewer guests and smaller income, accordingly.

It is not about the income but blandly about covering the costs
Coffee shop’s facade condition. Photo: private archive

It is difficult to carry out any activity today without positive thinking, which is why «LyaTyuSho» often holds various events - workshops, mini-fairs - where they collect donations for the needs of units fighting on the Kharkiv front, as well as for animal shelters. They also organise online consultations with a psychologist for visitors who follow the café's social media pages.

The story of «LyaTyuSho» began as a souvenir shop. Daria Lazaryeva explains that there were few places in the city where one could buy souvenirs. So, they set up a shop that sold postcards, pins, mugs, T-shirts, tote bags, and other small items. Later, they decided to establish a café here as well, so that tourists and local residents would visit. However, the souvenirs remained:

- We found a space and saw that it could also accommodate a cosy café. We wanted the people of Kharkiv to visit us too.

When we were thinking about the name, we wanted something local, something Kharkiv-like. «Lya», «Tyu» and «Sho» are popular exclamations among the residents of Slobozhanshchyna.

- Our philosophy is the development of domestic tourism. We are located in the historical centre of the city, so we wanted people to be able to learn something about it here, buy souvenirs, and get a guide to Kharkiv. And this idea still excites us. Recently, there have even been more tourists in the city. Now, there is a lot of press, foreigners, but they do not come because they want to enjoy our city. But this idea - to show Kharkiv - still inspires us, - says Darya Lazaryeva.

Inside the Kharkiv café. Photo: private archive

But to run a business in the conditions that Kharkiv is currently facing, you need to be flexible, Daria emphasises:

- You have to adapt quickly and respond promptly to everything. Last year, we bought a generator, and after that winter, we thought everything would settle down and there would not be any more problems. Unfortunately, that was not the case. For over a month now, Kharkiv has been experiencing constant power cuts, sometimes even outside of the scheduled times. You can not plan anything. The lack of electricity affects literally every process, from people not being able to get to work on time because the electric transport is not working, to constantly having to throw out spoiled food because the power goes out at night and the refrigerators stop working. Financially, this is, of course, very difficult. Emotionally, too.

For me, the people of Kharkiv are the strongest and unbreakable people emotionally and physically

Daria adds that she often has to «turn off the boss mode» because when explosions are echoing in the city, it is completely inappropriate to ask why the day’s earnings are lower - everyone understands the circumstances under which they are working and living.

The situation in the city is constantly changing. Many families have been forced to leave due to the increasing number of shellings. Despite this, the establishment managed to keep prices stable for as long as possible, only raising them relatively recently. What helps is that «LyaTyuSho» collaborates with Ukrainian producers:

- Working with Ukrainian producers is part of our philosophy of support and creating an ecosystem. We do not purchase products from abroad.

And when the Russians bombed the Kofein cafés in Kharkiv on May 6 2024, we encouraged people to support them and bought coffee beans there ourselves. We tried to support our colleagues this way

At the start of the full-scale invasion, 70 per cent of the staff had to be replaced due to the forced departure of employees. Those who remained in Kharkiv are now adapting to the new conditions, so even «work parties» have become thematic. For example, the entire team learned how to apply tourniquets and provide first aid.

You can not only buy coffee here but also get souvenirs. Photo: private archive

Building any business plans in Kharkiv these days is a thankless task because nothing can be predicted, the businesswoman admits:

- Of course, all statistics have dropped, and it’s noticeable. It is difficult to plan anything right now. Over these three years of war, the statistics will vary greatly. In the first year after the full-scale invasion, there were hardly any people, everything collapsed. But if you look at the Autumn of 2023, there was an incredible surge in people returning. Overall, you make monthly plans for income and expenses, but it is all just «a shot in the dark» because, with every explosion, you realise there will be fewer people.

Despite this, «LyaTyuSho» donates a portion of its monthly profits to support the military and those affected by the war. The café also offers a «suspended coffee» service for soldiers (someone buys a coffee but does not drink it, instead «suspending» it for a soldier to enjoy later).

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Journalist, worked as a director and Chief Editor at IA «VSN», a reporter at IA «Volyn’ News». Graduate of Kyiv Economy School Journalism Centre’s «Economics, markets and data analysis» course. Master of Ukrainian philology.

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women leaders for Ukraine

Tetiana Vyhovska: What is «Women Leaders for Ukraine»? What does the organisation do?

Olga Luc: It is an international community, a union of women from business, politics, as well as those working in the social sphere, such as NGOs and charitable foundations. The president is Iryna Papusha, and the members are women from all over the world. We are currently present in 19 countries, in 32 cities, including Japan, the USA, Spain, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland and, of course, Ukraine. This is a network of women, which is based not only on information exchange, contacts and mentorship but also on the development of leadership with the ability to influence social and political changes. It also represents women at various platforms, forums and conferences, notably the Davos conference, which is worth mentioning as the most renowned.

We organise both informal and formal meetings in the countries our participants come from. We work on developing women and empowering them with the necessary skills to know how and what to do to achieve their goals.

At the Women Leaders for U forum in October, Oleksandra Matviychuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, emphasised that women must support each other so that future generations do not have to prove their right to equality

Of course, men are also important. They are part of this community, providing support or, as beautifully put in English, «allies». However, the main focus is on women, providing them with opportunities to express themselves, develop and establish important contacts, thereby building the future - their own and Ukraine’s. Women’s contribution is not only important now - it will be crucial for Ukraine's reconstruction, as a significant burden truly rests on their shoulders.

Many women have now moved abroad with their children, where they care for their families and must also decide where to work and what to do: perhaps start their own business or look for a new path for development. These skills will be invaluable in the future.

If women want to return to Ukraine and participate in its reconstruction, they must know how to do so

- What interesting and important ideas have «Women Leaders for Ukraine» already implemented?

- I will start with two projects particularly close to my heart due to their immense power. The first was implemented jointly with «The Kids of Ukraine Foundation». This is an organisation from the United Kingdom and the USA that supports initiatives helping children and their families overcome the traumas of war. We are partners of this foundation and support activities in the field of humanitarian aid provision as well as organising SviTY trips.

We focus on providing psychological support to children through sport, play and activity. We have organised many summer camps in the Carpathians and other locations, where children can not only spend time in the fresh air and distract themselves from a challenging reality but also receive psychological support.

Supporting children in overcoming the trauma of war

The second project is implemented cyclically together with the International Coaching Federation. This renowned organisation unites certified coaches (self-development trainers - Edit.) from all over the world. It creates a space for profound and honest conversations, enabling one to see themselves and their abilities from a different perspective. It is a great opportunity not only to interact with someone from another region or country but also to discover new ways of achieving one’s goals. It helps women move forward confidently, better understand their needs and unlock their potential.

Our activities span various directions. For example, we have the «Ukrainian Award of Inclusivity», which recognises female leaders driving change for Ukraine. Additionally, we actively influence legislative processes. Ukraine is on its way to the EU, and we all believe this will happen - but it requires pressure from different sides. From our perspective, it is crucial for women to be involved, ensuring that negotiations are not held without women. As I have already mentioned, women will be a vital group for Ukraine’s future, supporting all processes - economic, business and legislative.

Our community is open, and if any reader has an idea or wishes to propose something, we are always happy to welcome new participants.

- Is participation in projects and events free?

- Yes, all expenses are covered by our organisation, sponsors and partners. So if you are a member of our community and wish to participate, after filling out a questionnaire and other required documents, you can join the «Women Leaders for Ukraine» projects.

- You have also participated in the «Coaching Project». Why is coaching important for a female leader, and what value did this project bring to you?

- Coaching plays a key role in developing leadership qualities. It helps delve deep into one’s potential, revealing facets of personality that we usually overlook or are afraid to acknowledge. It is an opportunity to understand fears, talents and strengths, as well as admit limitations. This process is significant because only when we accept ourselves as we are can we become true leaders - those who inspire others, build trust and create a space for team development.

Serhiy Fursa, Olena Borysova, Kateryna Rozhkova, Nadiya Omelchenko and Oksana Voitsehovska at the Women Leaders for U forum in Kyiv, October 2024

Moreover, coaching gives us the courage to be vulnerable, not hiding weaknesses behind masks and roles. It is a space where we can allow ourselves to be authentic - finding strength in this authenticity, which is essential for leadership. A true leader is not one who knows all the answers but one who is open to learning, growth and, importantly, acknowledging weaknesses. Only then can a leader create an environment where others feel supported and can be the best versions of themselves.

In my case, a coaching session helped organise my strengths, which I previously did not even recognise. It also allowed me to view coaching differently. It is not only about discovering competencies or areas needing improvement but also about finding the answer to why I do what I do, what my motivation is, as this is what gives me the energy to bring plans to life.

- You are implementing remarkable projects, but this is volunteering work. What do you do apart from «Women Leaders for Ukraine»? Perhaps you have a business?

- I work at the American bank Bank of New York Mellon in Wrocław. My position is Director of Client Service at BNY (Investment Manager Relationships). I do not have a business of my own, but I am passionate about women empowerment and female leadership. It would be wonderful to create something of my own, and «Women Leaders for Ukraine» provides me with the knowledge to achieve this.

Regarding banking - it is also an intriguing space for women. Currently, it remains predominantly a male-dominated field: the higher the positions, the more men there are. I ask myself: why is this the case? What can be done to change this, enabling women to also reach certain career heights if they wish?

- On your website, I found a questionnaire that needs to be filled in to receive support for an idea. Is this only for your members or for everyone?

- For everyone. If you have an idea for a personal project and its implementation, we are happy to listen and review it. The next step would be a conversation to help us gain a deeper understanding of your concept and its potential.

- Should this be a social or business project? What interesting ideas have you already supported?

- We are ready to consider any ideas. We evaluate their impact on Ukraine and how they might improve the situation for women

Projects do not necessarily have to be focused on Ukraine; they can concern women globally, and we impose no restrictions on their specifics. We encourage submissions of ideas related to women’s development, equality, and so forth. These can include social or business projects, legislative initiatives - anything that will have a positive impact and become a driver of change.

Community members

What interesting projects we have supported? «Kids of Ukraine Charity Foundation!» Children in war are the most vulnerable. It is also worth mentioning technological start-ups and new products. Various conferences and local initiatives have also been supported. Recently, we organised a forum in Kyiv, bringing together female leaders to discuss women’s development and their impact on politics, society, and business.

As a non-EU country, Ukraine receives fewer resources from Europe. Therefore, it is important to think creatively and utilise potential, particularly in Poland and other countries with large Ukrainian diasporas.

- And cultural projects? For instance, I created a Ukrainian library in Katowice, collecting about a thousand books. I also have a publishing house in Ukraine and many ideas for publishing works by Ukrainian authors in Polish and promoting Ukrainian literature...

- That is a wonderful project. Culture is indeed vital in the struggle. The war has made Ukrainian culture more visible abroad, and this is an opportunity to showcase it to the world, offering others a chance to discover our talented authors, such as Lina Kostenko, for example.

Burned artworks, looted churches and destroyed monuments - these are the consequences of barbaric acts still committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. The deliberate destruction of cultural assets is considered a war crime and is damage inflicted not only on the heritage of one nation but also on the whole world.

- What are your future plans, and what are your ambitions?

- The main goal is expansion and the further development of our community with a focus on deeper collaboration. Moving forward, we will concentrate on political and social projects, supporting legislation, gender equality and diversity issues, and participating in political discussions and conferences where women’s voices are essential.

We are now summing up the year to understand which projects received the best feedback, created real change, had a positive impact and are worth continuing. Thus, the «Kids of Ukraine Charity Foundation» and «Coaching Project» will definitely be continued, as they are of great scale and significance. Additionally, «Resilience Ship» - the promotion of Ukrainian resilient leadership globally.

We hope that many people have interesting ideas and are eager to act. It is important to maintain interest in Ukraine because, as is known, this interest has slightly diminished. We aim for Ukraine to remain visible in various aspects - political, social, and so on. This will be our mission.

Photographs: FB Women Leaders for Ukraine

20
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«The skills our women are currently acquiring abroad will be crucial for Ukraine's reconstruction» - Olga Luc

Tetiana Vyhovska

Together with her husband, Anastasiia Yaremchuk has already opened eight barbershops in Donetsk. The couple, both medics, were not afraid to start a business just 20 kilometres from the frontline. To employ locals, they had to retrain artists and locksmiths to become barbers. The staffing issue is one of the most painful, as people leave because of the proximity to the frontline.

Life in Uncertainty

In 2014, when the war began, I was finishing my internship in my hometown of Horlivka in Donetsk. However, living in the city was difficult due to frequent shelling. One day, the enemy bombarded the centre of Horlivka. There were many casualties and fatalities. I managed to survive. That day, July 27th, I will remember forever. It is my second birthday. That is when our small family made the decision to move to a safer place. We settled for almost two years in the village of Adamivka, 40 km from Kramatorsk. During this time, I commuted to the city for work. I worked as an assistant at the Department of Oncology and Radiology at Donetsk National Medical University. I only saw my eldest son, Timur, on weekends. He lived with my parents. To be together, we made another decision to move. There is nothing more permanent than temporary. This time, we moved to Druzhkivka in Donetsk, where I remarried.

Anastasiia Yaremchuk with her husband. Photo: private archive

I met my husband at work - he is an orthopaedic surgeon.

On the day the full-scale war began, we found out we were expecting a baby. My husband insisted on moving, but I firmly said: «I am not going anywhere»

We persuaded our eldest son and my parents to move to Uman in the Cherkasy region. But we stayed. Our work did not allow us to leave the city. As doctors, we had to be at our workplace to help people. That separation from my son and parents was challenging. They eventually returned. In October 2022, I gave birth to my youngest son. What we endured that year, with no gas, no water for almost six months, and power outages - this toughened us, and it is now taken as normality. Unfortunately, you get used to it. The most important thing is that we held on.

A Barbershop

At that time, many women with children had left the city, but their husbands stayed behind. I noticed there was a demand for men's haircuts. I could not even book an appointment for my husband. It was a real problem. One day, I had the idea to open a barbershop with a men's section. I wanted to create something themed, something unusual. Barbershops were always named «Olena», «Natalia», «Anastasiia» and so on. We had many name options - «Cactus», «Razor». A coincidence helped us decide. My husband is from the Chernihiv region. One day, we visited Nizhyn. There is a pedagogical institute named after Mykola Gogol, a street with the same name, and we accidentally went into a café also called «At Gogol's». Inside, everything was dedicated to the writer. Stylish and thematic. So, as we were leaving, I told my husband that we should link the barbershop's name to a character. Since we are both fans of detective stories, we settled on the name «Sherlock». Then we started thinking about the attributes: a smoking pipe, a violin, a plaid, a desk, a typewriter, a magnifying glass, a microscope. And that is how we started to recreate an English style in the establishment.

Anastasiia Yaremchuk: «We aimed to recreate the English style in the establishment». Photo: private archive

The first «Sherlock» is a very small space, just two by three metres. There is one chair and a work area with a sink. There are banners with the «English Queen with Gum», photos of The Beatles, and posters of London. In the waiting area, there is a small vintage-style cabinet. On the wall, there is a typewriter. We created a cosy men's section, with a design I came up with.

We searched for all these items wherever we could. We bought the typewriter and violin on OLX. A colleague gave us the plaid in the English style. We have a few books about Sherlock Holmes, gifted by our barber Danylo. Clients donated an old machine and scissors

My husband and I work as two sole proprietors. We were able to start the business thanks to a microgrant from «E-support». My husband received a grant for barber services, and I got one for the development of a café. So, we also offer coffee at «Sherlock». The barbershop has been running for over a year, and we have been selling coffee for almost seven months.

The most expensive part was buying quality clippers, shavers, and trimmers. Additionally, one must understand that this equipment wears out. We rent the premises, so we did minor repairs everywhere. The grant support helped a lot. But we received it during the growth stage.

Anastasiia Yaremchuk: «The most expensive part was buying quality clippers, shavers, and trimmers». Photo: private archive

We opened the first two locations by ourselves. Of course, before starting the business, I calculated everything carefully. A men's haircut costs from one hundred hryvnias. We keep our prices very democratic.

The Biggest Problem - Staff

The first problem was finding specialists. There were almost none because many people had left. We searched for staff everywhere. Eventually, we decided to train those who were willing to work. This could be done in Dnipro or Kyiv. Our first trainee was our barber Danylo. At the time, he had just had a baby, and there was not enough money to support the family. The young man was talented and had little experience cutting hair while serving in the army. He quickly mastered the profession of a barber.

Barber at the «Sherlock» barbershop. Photo: private archive

Later, two more specialists from other barbershops wanted to join us. So we began to expand. In Druzhkivka, we already have four establishments. There were also four in Kostyantynivka. However, due to the increased number of shellings, we had to relocate the business from there to Kramatorsk. For now, there is only one barbershop left there. Overall, we have 16 barbers working in two cities.

We have people with disabilities. We have an artist who works as a barber. In the café, the barista is a woman with six children. We also have a seamstress who retrained and is now a colourist and hairdresser

Women are amazed by her talents. Only two barbers were working in their profession. The rest we trained. We organised the training at our own expense. This was also a risk. There were cases where our employees, after training with us, went to competitors. But everyone has the right to choose. If one person leaves, two more will come. You should never try to keep anyone.

16 barbers work at «Sherlock» in two cities. Photo: private archive

We have plenty of clients. Nowadays, we have versatile specialists. In addition to hairdressing services, the girls do eyelashes, brows and nails. As for power and water outages, we have adapted. Moreover, the situation is more or less stable now. We also work with battery-powered tools. We always have a constant water supply stored in tanks. Therefore, we can wash someone's hair or beard even if the city has no water.

20 km from the frontline

Chasiv Yar, where the frontline is, is very close - about 20 kilometres. Sometimes people ask me if we were afraid to open a business so close to the fighting. Yes, it is scary, but if you do nothing, it becomes even scarier. I had already experienced starting life from scratch in 2014. So I really did not want to believe or even think that we would face the same situation again and have to leave. I believe until the very end. I have no doubt that the region will endure. Even this close to the frontline, people still care about good haircuts.

I can not say whether people are leaving the city. On the contrary, some are returning. Home is home, and everyone holds on to their house, to their chance to be at home. Life does not stop

We have very clean and neat streets. There are shellings. You fear them, but you fear even more when they are not happening because of the waiting. It really weighs on your mind. But everyone adapts and tries to live. These are living cities. Yes, they are ravaged, but everything still works here. There are many entrepreneurs. As for how I cope psychologically, I just stay calm. My second degree is in psychology. I also find peace in my children and my work.

Anastasiia Yaremchuk with her sons. Photo: private archive

If I am busy, I do not analyse what is happening around me 24/7. My eyes are not glued to the battle map. I will not be able to hug the whole world and make the war end. Therefore, we must find happiness and balance in what we have. Pull yourself together. Currently, I work in Druzhkivka as a radiologist at the Central City Clinical Hospital, and part-time as a radiologist at the Kramatorsk Oncology Dispensary. And, of course, I also run the barbershops.

Plans - Business Expansion and Opening a School

We are on the verge of opening the fifth barbershop in Druzhkivka. In total, there will be seven. When we were buying a mirror and a small waiting sofa, my husband said: «Everyone is moving things out, and we are buying and bringing things in». I hope this sofa serves us for many years.

Our dream and plan is to open a school of hairdressing. We could train staff for ourselves and others. Healthy competition should exist, as the lack of it leads to complacency and no toughening. But this is all in the future. We would like to expand across the region, opening establishments in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. I also have plans for the café. I really want it to be more than just a coffee-to-go point, but a full-fledged establishment.

Combining work and business is not easy. It is very exhausting. In addition, I am a mother of two children who need attention. My parents help me. Sometimes I can forget, for example, to deliver clean towels or pick up an order. But I have a boss, my husband, who helps with everything. We work as a single organism. What I cannot do, he manages. And it is very convenient when you work as partners. It is comfortable not only to be husband and wife but also friends and work partners.

Anastasiia Yaremchuk: «I have a boss, my husband, who helps with everything. We work as a single organism». Photo: private archive

As for the future, it is difficult to say what lies ahead. I remain very calm in any situation and try to solve issues as they arise. We need to keep an eye on the situation on the frontlines and prepare some alternative plans. However, it is essential not to forget that life is happening here and now. We must continue to work and live.

The war has taught me to appreciate my loved ones and every moment of life

By the way, my work in oncology has also taught me this. When I started working at the oncology dispensary, I was 25 years old. It is terrifying when you realise that it is not only war that can take away the most precious thing - life. That is why you appreciate every minute and try to do something good for your family. At this point, I am not considering moving, but if there is destruction and a threat to the lives of my loved ones, I will choose safety for them. Despite the war, I believe we have the best country, with strong education, incredible nature, and, of course, excellent doctors. I think people living in Europe now have long realised this. Therefore, I probably would not change anything in Ukraine. I would just somehow stimulate its development. I dream of the end of the war and stability. Also, after the war, I really want to send my children to my parents and go to Venice or Portugal with my husband. I am really craving some romance.

20
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«Though ravaged, our cities are alive». The story of a doctor from Donetsk who opened a chain of barbershops 20 km from the frontline

Nataliia Zhukovska

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