We caught up with the brilliant and insightful RO-MiNA Ustayev a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
RO-MiNA, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I’ve always known I wanted to be a singer and fashion designer, but it was when I actually started making money that I was able to pursue my dreams. Certain creative professional paths require a good amount of investment up front! I wasn’t sure that I would be able to pursue my dreams until after college. I actually went to college for pharmacy, failed then switched to early childhood education thinking one day I may open a day care. Instead I joined my brother in his home care business. I came on as the marketing director and helped our company rise to one of the biggest agencies in Philadelphia area. Thats when I started working on my music. Since then I’ve written and recorded over 30 songs! The interior design business I started about 7 years ago. I never went to school for it but started with staging homes for sale because my husband is in the real estate business and used staging companies when he would list his flips for sale! So after selling our home care business I started staging which then led to interior design because people really liked my creative design abilities. The fashion design business I started only a year ago when I was pregnant with my 3rd son and needed something to do with myself during pregnancy.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born in Uzbekistan and came to America when I was 5 years old. I really learned a lot watching my parents uproot their lives and move to a completely different country, not knowing the language and starting from zero. They taught me what hard work really meant.
I would say that owning my own business also really taught me discipline and hard work. When I finished college and joined my brother in home care was when I really felt like a true business woman. It was a super rewarding business because we got to make great money while helping people. Theres nothing more rewarding than that. But my passion was always in the more creative side of things. I’ve wanted to be a singer and fashion designer ever since I can remember. In the last 10 years I’ve written and recorded over 30 songs! I have a mix of English and Russian songs. My first song Insane peaked at the Billboard club dance charts at number 13 and was in the top 25 for over 5 weeks!
When I was like 7 or 8 years old, I used to make clothes for my barbies from my old clothes or pieces of fabric that my mom would bring home from her work. She taught me to sew at a young age and I loved it! When I got pregnant with my 3rd child and found out it was a boy (again) I got super hormonal and needed a distraction to keep me sane and happy. I always knew I’d open an online store with my designs one day and this pregnancy was the perfect time. I added some pregnancy dresses into my collection and started my dream business. I made my on Shopify website, figured out how to find the right manufacturers, and started getting my designs made. It wasn’t an easy process because I’m very picky and had to reorder the samples many times until they were correct. And since I was pregnant at the time I had my friend be my fit model for me. This process was a little difficult because coordinating time for her to try on the samples took longer than I would have wanted! But in the end, I got it done!
I think my work ethic, creativity and ability to go into something head first is what sets me aside from others. I truly believe you miss out on every chance you don’t take. To some people that may be annoying, to me it’s taking the risk without fear. For example, every time I go out, I’ll always ask the DJ to play one of my songs. They don’t always say yes, but I’ll never stop asking because when they do say YES, I get to showcase my music to people that otherwise may never hear it!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
I think non-creatives are usually realists. But the dreamers are the ones that get farthest in life. You’re the only one with your vision, and it’s up to you to make it happen. I think non-creatives need to understand that creative people think differently and see things differently. I think its important to give creative people space and let them free. Great things can happen.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I think not giving up no matter what is how people truly reach their dreams. Nothing ever happens over night, so take your time and make it happen. I use every opportunity I have to market my businesses. Whether it’s talking about interior design, music or fashion, I make sure to put it out there that I do all those things.
People will always tell you no, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying again.
Contact Info:
- Website: romirunway.com &. ro-mina.com
- Instagram: @rodashmina
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ro-minayt
- Other: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/1fkkK8K6H73uxjri2ycMD9
