On Opportunity
When I was a kid, maybe 7 years old, our family hosted a young woman from Belarus. It was years after the disaster at the nuclear plant in Chernobyl. A nuclear disaster with massive human and environmental health impact that has lingered on for generations. I can still remember her stoic face the day she arrived. She was 13, thin, quiet and scared. Her name was Natasha and she changed my family’s lives forever. Anytime we meet someone from Belarus or hear news out of Belarus, it’s impossible not to think of Natasha, wonder about the life she is currently living, and think about how wonderful it would be to see her today.
Last year I met a bright, young man named Dzmitry and later, his wife, Anna. They had recently started a business and were doing really well, but Dzmitry had some financial questions. He quickly shared where he was from. I could almost see my dad’s heart skip and eyes tear up. After the re-election of Lukashenko, 2020 was a really rough year in Belarus. The moment we met Dzmitry, we couldn’t help but ask questions, about everything. He was generous enough to volunteer what’s happening today in Belarus and why he chose to leave a few years ago. In those few minutes together, it was easy for me to gather, he wanted the most out of this life and that Dzmitry and Anna were building something special.
In working through financial questions with Dzmitry and as a client of Anna, I’ve since had many conversations with these two. I requested that they share their story on On Pursuing podcast and they kindly said yes.
Their story is one of those great American immigrant stories that makes me so incredibly proud to be American. In their early 20’s Dzmitry and Anna left Belarus with nothing but a dream. The details you will learn more about in our conversation. You will also understand why staying in Belarus was untenable for dreamers like these two. Upon arrival to the U.S. they worked hard at odd jobs to stay fed and keep a roof over their heads. Lying in bed at night they would dream and imagine something bigger than their current reality.
They eventually built that reality. Each of them used their own personal skills to build something truly beautiful, learning a skill and providing a valuable service to men and women, not currently very common in the US, permanent make-up. They have thoughtfully built a three pronged business model through client service, a product line and an academy teaching other artists this artistic skill.
The name of their business is Mara Cosmetic Studio and Academy. Evidently, Mara means “dream” in their spoken language. Their business brand is on par with something you’d experience at the Ritz Carlton and I’m proud to say that I know them and would recommend them to anyone.
America is the Land of Opportunity. When you hear their story, it is obvious that this is the truth. May we never forget it.
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