Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Onega Ulanova. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Onega, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

I think every venture I am becoming a part of has a deeper meaning for me. Something relating to doing good for others. In some cases, more than financial benefits. I usually bring to the table the spark on energy, marketing, and PR strategy and execution, as well as finding ways to finance the venture (either through personal investments, nondiluted fundings, or putting together a round)

I think I would share about our LA Product Development team. When my partner (and husband) was doing his Ph.D. at LA Tech – he came up with this idea – to put together a student organization with a focus on developing new products. After a couple of years of operating that one and working as a R&D engineer full time, he was like “this venture could be a business one day, and I am sick and tired of working for others” and I was like, “why not this will be our day one?”. So in 2016, we opened our office in Shreveport, LA.

We put our personal savings into this venture, a venture designed to realize other people’s product ideas through research, design, prototyping, and manufacturing. Even though we had our previous experience, it feels different when you do it for yourself. So we needed to figure out everything from digital marketing, to PR, to team management, accounting, taxes, etc. All those behind-the-scenes components, which, in most cases, are not value-adding but need to be done. That is a lesson one – hire professionals to teach you, do not follow the trap I can do all on your own. You can, but you will be the last from the end.

Also, what is important is to design your company with a win in mind. Meaning think “Systems, Practices, Cultures.” In other words, note what you do – because one day, you might want to delegate some of all of your tasks. After the six months of operations, we created a Scale Up plan – something to which we refer quite often. This leads to the third point, have a strategy session at least every quarter. To make sure that you are on track.

Now, we are focusing on both development of our own products, as well as helping others. We try to synergize all of what we do – to bring more value to our ecosystem as a whole. Like our Tech to Market, Assist., OKGlobal, and Leia. But next time about those.

Onega, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a passionate entrepreneur who doesn’t see barriers when the idea excites me.

I am a purpose-driven entrepreneur who doesn’t work on projects if there is no deeper meaning and greater impact behind them.

I am a “get-things-done” type of entrepreneur who strives to come to meaningful yes/no decisions backed by actual data.

I am an “enabler” type of entrepreneur who knows that the secret to success is the right people at the right place at the right time with the right type of freedom.

I am a triathlete type of entrepreneur who knows that you get what you put into practice.

I am passionate about consumer product development, filmmaking, oil and gas, and all things technology.

I love to write, read, brainstorm on topics such as idea development and commercialization, decision making and operating family business, team building for artists including filmmakers, sport and business endurance, and how to balance your life when you have multiple businesses in several countries in polar industries. Everything how entrepreneurship shapes communities and countries!

Currently, I am involved with LA New Product Development Team (product design, prototyping), Tech to Market (product commercialization platform), Assist. (marketplace for everything video); and Leia (superior menstrual cups). I bring marketing + PR, access to funds, and just energy to it.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Important one. We used our personal fund to start this business which made us think about the bottom line and be profitable from almost the first month. Be very lean and agile. What I feel like is sometimes access to capital from early stages is a bad thing. Because you become soft and not that hustling in nature. What they say, the artist needs to be hungry to create – the same applies to entrepreneurs. Or in other words, access to capital might put you in a comfort zone, which is the opposite of progress.

We’d love to hear about you met your business partner.

Another great one. Right now, I have two partners. One is my sister, and another one is my husband. So we are building a family bizs.

And if you have an opportunity to build something with your family – do it. You will have more things in common, have someone to rely on and trust, as well as see a shared future. The only thing to learn is not to bring some downs from work to family time. Challange, but doable.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.onega.life/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onegaulanova/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onega.stars
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/okglobal/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/okglobal