On 19 September, London hosted the Refugee Entrepreneurship Network (REN) Summit 2025, bringing together practitioners, donors, researchers, policymakers, NGOs and refugee entrepreneurs to advance the global conversation on enterprise in displacement.
The value of such a dialogue lies in showcasing success stories, innovation and best practice. Women hold a special place within this narrative: often starting from “zero” and gradually turning it into “one.” That motto – transforming nothing into something – has become the rallying call of the summit organisers, TERN (The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network).
Founded in London in 2016, TERN has already supported more than 750 refugee entrepreneurs. Its next goal is even more ambitious: to open the path into business for 2,000 people.
This year, for the first time, TERN partnered with Visa to deliver the Visa Everywhere Pioneersprogramme — designed to highlight the creativity, innovation and leadership of refugee women, helping them to scale their ventures and proving that talent truly knows no borders.
The Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2025 awards ceremony was especially moving. Thirty refugee women entrepreneurs from across Europe were recognised in London — and half of them were Ukrainian. Their journeys show that before you can cross external borders, you must first overcome the internal ones: fear, insecurity and doubt.
Each of these stories could inspire a film of its own. Here, we share a few of them. They remind us that resilience, determination and the ability to keep moving forward despite obstacles can eventually reshape external circumstances — and allow women to become authors of their own destiny.
Larysa Brovchuk
Accountant, founder of Kairos-K Ltd(accountancy and business compliance services), Wales
“My first English lessons were at McDonald’s – large, medium or small fries,” recalls Larysa with a smile.
Like many others, she arrived in the UK just three years ago with only a school-level knowledge of English. Determined to learn quickly, she started working in a place where speaking the language was unavoidable. At the same time, she began studying British accounting practices.
Back in Ukraine, Larysa had already run her own company, providing accounting, audit, legal services and business training. That experience gave her confidence:
“When you understand the principles of accounting, they’re similar across Europe and worldwide. The key is to master the differences,” she explains.
Soon, fellow Ukrainians began approaching her for advice: how to register as self-employed, how to set up a company, file tax returns, hire staff or pay the right taxes. “We were figuring it out together, step by step,” she laughs.
Eventually, she registered her own business in Wales. Her McDonald’s colleagues were astonished when she announced she was leaving – not for another job, but to become a company director. “By then, my business was already earning me more than the job,” she says.
Today, her company continues to grow. Alongside accountancy and compliance services, it delivers international CPD-accredited courses for accountants and entrepreneurs in English, Arabic, Farsi and Polish. And for Larysa, this is just the beginning.
Hanna Zamostna
Consultant psychotherapist, founder of Step to Power C.I.C., Manchester
Turning weakness into strength
Hanna’s first months in Britain were tough: no English, no local qualifications, no clear direction. That was three years ago. Today, she runs Step to Power, a social enterprise that supports Ukrainians with the very things she once lacked herself: English language, psychological support, leadership development and job-seeking skills.
“What saved me then was anger,” she admits. Hanna is a trained psychiatrist and experienced psychologist with many years of practice in Ukraine. Arriving in Manchester, she knew she could be useful – but kept hearing the same response: “No English, no British certificates… not enough.”
One day she decided firmly: she would learn the language and start her own organisation. The journey was long: training with TERN, English courses, a counselling qualification, and various development programmes. “It was hard work, exhaustion, doubts and hope all at once,” she recalls. TERN mentors provided vital encouragement. “I still remember Lucas’s words: ‘Everything will come, step by step. The main thing is to know your path and keep walking it.’”
Within a year, Hanna had completed her Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, set up Step to Power, secured three grants and helped hundreds of Ukrainians. Now she is in the process of applying for membership with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), the leading professional body setting standards for psychotherapists in Britain.
Her journey continues. “The most important thing,” says Hanna, “is your path.”
Valeriia Semchuk
Fashion designer, stylist, founder of the brand Selera, Aberdeen
A dream to showcase Ukrainian beauty and wisdom through fashion – and to create jobs
For over a decade, Valeriia worked in Kyiv as a TV stylist. During that time, she also launched her own fashion label, Selera, known for its refined simplicity and natural elegance. Even her business cards are printed on recycled seed paper – you can plant them, and flowers will grow. A fitting symbol, as Selera is now putting down roots on Scotland’s rugged north-east coast, in Aberdeen, where she relocated after the war began.
The fertile Ukrainian soil and vibrant TV industry were behind her; Aberdeen’s grey reality quickly dispelled any illusions. “Among acquaintances, I saw no interest at all in what I could do,” she remembers.
Through contacts, she found a role as an administrator at a research institute – prestigious on paper, but the reality was different: “My boss would say, ‘I’ve found the perfect job for you – tidy a colleague’s cupboard,’ or ask me to scan endless boxes of documents.”
When her contract ended, Valeriia faced a choice: return to her real passion – fashion design – or continue chasing random jobs that drained her and wasted her talent. Ironically, UK retail HR managers rejected her applications, claiming she was “underqualified.” “I can make jeans,” she says wryly, “but apparently I wasn’t qualified to fold them.”
She believes that Britain still underestimates the skills many Ukrainians bring: “People here don’t really know us. Yet among us are entrepreneurs, artists, highly qualified professionals. We could contribute far more to society if allowed to do what we’re good at – rather than being hidden away in cleaning jobs. All we need is for the door to open a little wider.”
Now Valeriia is creating new collections, participating in fashion events, and seeking partnerships. Back in Ukraine, her team continues to produce Selera clothing – work that sustains families and gives them a future.
“The Visa Everywhere Pioneers Award is more than recognition of my work,” she says. “It proves the resilience of Ukrainians: our ability to turn pain and loss into meaning, beauty and opportunity.”
Mariia Bezusa
Psychologist, artist, founder of YeSense Community Interest Company, London
Making someone happy is my greatest victory
Mariia loves travelling. She has lived and worked in 37 countries – from India and Jordan to China and Japan, always for at least six months at a time.
But she found her true calling in England: helping people become happier through psychology and art therapy.
“London is a place where the community will support you – but only if you step forward and talk about your work. Then you’ll find people who share your path,” she says. That support came through TERN, which helped her design a business plan and secure funding for art therapy workshops.
The road was not easy. She faced pressure to abandon her dream – even the English landlady who sheltered her family insisted: “Go work as a cleaner – that’s where everyone starts.” But Mariia knew she would only be fulfilled doing what she loved. Choosing that path came at a cost: months without stable housing, endless bureaucracy, self-doubt.
Throughout it all, painting gave her strength. Though not a professional artist, Mariia developed a unique method: fluorescent painting under special lighting. The artwork changes under daylight, revealing hidden layers and helping people explore their inner world.
Today, she holds a British qualification in counselling and is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists. That, in itself, feels like victory – over fear, circumstances and self-doubt.
But for Mariia, the true victory is different:
“To do something real for another person, to change their life for the better – that is my greatest achievement. My strength lies in combining psychology with art. Creativity and symbols can transform the inner world. This is how I’ve fulfilled my purpose – making people happy.”
Text and photography: Olena Onyshchenko
Photos: from the personal archives of the interviewees
Ukrainian language editor: Anastasiia Zanuzdanova
