Svitlana Konovalova and her husband moved to the United States about ten years ago—already as fully formed individuals, with experience and an understanding of life. In Ukraine, she worked in the legal field, while her husband had his own business. So they did not start “from zero” as people—but as immigrants, they did. The first years were not easy: a new country, a different culture, a different mindset. It was a period of adaptation, mistakes, and self-discovery that, at the same time, became a point of growth.
Over time, while working in various companies, they realized they wanted to build something of their own. The state of New Hampshire played an important role in this decision, as they felt the support and strength of the local community. Today, their business is more than just work—it is their life’s project, into which they have invested years of effort, belief, and ambition—a true “third child,” from which this story begins. Their company specializes in window and door installation—a field in which Svitlana’s husband has many years of experience. However, while he had previously worked within the established system of a large company, starting their own business meant beginning from scratch. They had to find a space for a showroom, handle documentation, navigate legal processes, build partnerships, and find a reliable manufacturer.
The first months were the most challenging: a lot of uncertainty, great responsibility, and no clear instructions. Neither education nor prior experience provided ready-made answers, so everything had to be learned independently. Mistakes were inevitable and sometimes costly, but they also brought the most valuable resource—experience. Today, that experience forms the foundation of their confidence and allows the family to continue growing their business and moving forward.
Comparing the business environments of Ukraine and the United States, Svitlana highlights one key difference—transparency. In Ukraine, starting a business is often accompanied by informal payments, whereas in the U.S., all processes are clearly regulated: there are official fees, taxes, and understandable rules. Although bureaucratic procedures may take more time, they provide confidence in the fairness of the system. Svitlana personally went through all stages of document processing, which gave her a deep understanding of the process and now allows her to confidently consider expanding into new directions.
Моменти, коли хотілося здатися, у їхньому шляху були – і не раз. Але їх тримали амбіції, бажання досягти більшого і, найголовніше, підтримка одне одного. Для Світлани та її чоловіка сім’я стала справжньою командою, і саме ця єдність допомогла пройти через труднощі та не зупинитися. Йти вперед – ця вольова риса українців часто спасає.
There were moments when they wanted to give up—more than once. But they were sustained by ambition, the desire to achieve more, and most importantly, their support for each other. For Svitlana and her husband, family became a true team, and this unity helped them overcome difficulties and keep going. Moving forward—this strong-willed trait of Ukrainians often becomes a спасіння.
With the outbreak of the war, their sense of responsibility for their homeland grew even stronger. While previously many people in the U.S. knew little about Ukraine, now the whole world is talking about it. Along with that came a deeper awareness: it is important not only to build a business, but also to достойно represent their nation—hardworking, honest, strong, and resilient. When asked what America has taught her and what Ukraine has given her, she answers confidently: “America taught me not to be afraid and to believe in my own strength, while Ukraine gave me the foundation—values, character, and upbringing.” This combination has become their support system. Their advice is simple: do not be afraid—of the language, of mistakes, or of new beginnings. At the same time, respect the rules and learn to work within the system, not against it.
Beyond business, their dream is simple and deeply human—that every family, especially immigrant families, has the opportunity to stay together, embrace their loved ones, and never lose connection with one another.
Author: Tamara Zaiats
