Victoria Ponomarenko
Victoria Ponomarenko’s Inspiring Journey
CREDITS
Model: Victoria Ponomarenko @_lucky_victory
Photographer: Yuliia Bondarieva @junabondareva
Stylist: Irina Yakimchuk @irena_yakymchuk
MUAH: Natalia Eni @nataly.muaparis
Production: Elledgy Media Group @elledgy.mediagroup
Producer: Elvira Gavrilova @elviragavrilova_official
PR: Olga Ivanova @olgaivvanovva
Dresses: @semenenko.for.women
Fur coat: Milady @milady.officiel
Tell us about your journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial
environment to launching your own businesses at a young age.
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs and started earning “grades” in
school from an early age. When I was 6, I dreamed of having a camera. I also
played the accordion and by the age of 9, I had won 7 competitions with cash
prizes. That’s how I achieved my first financial goal.
What motivated you to choose psychology as a career?
When choosing a profession, I focused on my feelings and instincts. Growing
up in a family of career-driven individuals, I realized that apart from earning
money, nothing else interested me. My parents only saw me a few times a year
during my childhood, expressing their love through money rather than attention.
As I grew older, I understood that to form meaningful relationships, I needed
to work on this area, starting with myself. I found studying psychology so
fascinating that by the age of 23, I had earned a bachelor’s degree and three
master’s degrees in the field.
Having successfully worked through all five spheres of life, I find it easy
to empathize with people and help them with psychological issues. My specialty
is body-oriented psychology.
How did the Cannes Film Festival influence your decision to pursue a career
in modeling, especially with Bulgari?
At the Cannes Film Festival, I saw many famous models promoting well-known
brands. The visual spectacle was breathtaking. When I drive through the squares
in Paris and see famous models on billboards advertising jewelry, I visualize
myself in their place. This visualization led me to the Cannes Film Festival to
experience the atmosphere of show business. I also dream of being featured in
advertisements for the jewelry brand “Graff.”
What skills or lessons from your previous business ventures have been most
useful in your current modeling career?
?
Skills in communicating with anyone. I’ve achieved a lot in life by being
able to find common ground and closing complex deals to my advantage. I believe
in living in the moment and acting with maximum effort to get the best results.
I follow several strict rules:
- Teamwork must be cohesive, and wages should be
paid on time.
Words
are powerful. If you promise something, deliver. If you can’t deliver,
don’t promise.
- Time is
the most valuable resource you have.
- Don’t
be late. You’re stealing both your own and others’ time.
- The future doesn’t exist. There is only the here
and now.
How do you manage to combine such diverse fields as psychology, business,
and modeling? Do they influence each other?
Combining conscious thinking, a drive for career success, and a luxurious
appearance helps achieve success in business, especially in sales. You’re not
just selling a product; you’re selling your energy, knowledge, and charisma.
For me, modeling combines psychology and business. Here, in addition to energy,
knowledge, and charisma, you need to sell your appearance. It’s also about
discipline. You need to not only look luxurious but also be healthy. I
consciously choose this path.
Moreover, I am a free woman. By analyzing successful men, we see that many
choose models as their wives because they see them in advertisements, on
magazine covers, at fashion shows, and gala dinners. I want to achieve success
in this field as well.
Looking back on your journey, what has been the most significant and
valuable aspect of your career?
The most significant and valuable aspect has been the enormous social
capital I’ve accumulated. A good reputation makes people trust me, and whatever
new business I start, I easily find investors and clients. This all happens
through trust. Hence the saying: “It’s better to have 100 friends than 100
rubles.” People are my capital.
Being listed in Forbes' “30 under 30” was also valuable. At 23, my
company’s turnover placed me on that list, and my family and I were very proud
of it.
What advice would you give to women entrepreneurs who want to start their
own business?
The first common mistake for newcomers in business is thinking, “I’ll earn
money, save up, and then start my own business.” Understand that you can start
a business without using only your funds. Don’t be afraid! The main thing is
that your idea should energize you 10,000%! That will be the push that leads to
success.
In dealing with men, don’t forget that you are a woman. Femininity will
make your entrepreneurial journey much easier.
Remember the power of your word. If you promise, deliver! If you don’t want
to do it or lack the energy, pay someone else to do it. But make sure it gets
done!
I always follow my mother’s advice: “Stay on good terms with everyone, even
if they consider you an enemy!” This applies to both business and everyday
life. Yes, it’s often challenging, but it’s possible!