Founder and CEO
Karma and Luck
Type of Business: Jewelry and Home Goods Retailer
Based: Las Vegas, NV
Hails From: Kharkiv, Ukraine
Years Org. has been in Nevada: 07
Years with Org. in Nevada: 07
Employees within Org.: 65
“Passion makes magic.”
How did you get into your profession?
I started Karma and Luck in downtown Las Vegas in 2015 [with the goal of] building a “Vegas-born” brand. [It will be] one of the first national retail brands to be born here in Las Vegas and expand across America.
What is the best moment of your career?
I’m currently living in the best moment of my career. In 2021, we made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies. We’re in the process of a national expansion with new brick and mortar locations opening in New York, California and Florida.
What metrics do you consider important when hiring employees?
I look for energy, passion, and work ethic above all else. Everything else can be taught.
What is your favorite business book and what lessons have you gleaned from it?
I’m inspired by Tony Hsieh’s “Delivering Happiness”. [The book] taught me the importance of the customer experience and the e-commerce journey.
What was the most difficult experience you’ve encountered as a leader?
COVID by far – as a retail-based business, Karma and Luck was forced to completely stop business and come to a halt. I was forced to let go most of my employees, and the future was uncertain. We were able to successfully pivot to marketing and selling online.
If you were going to teach a college course, what would you teach?
[I would teach a course on] entrepreneurship. I consider myself a serial entrepreneur.
What leader do you look up to?
Elon Musk for his revolutionary vision.
What is an assumption people make about you that is dead wrong?
I can be very straightforward, and people assume I’m focusing on negative aspects. In fact, I’m an optimist and always look to the bright side. Sometimes in business, getting right to the bottom line comes off as pessimistic or too direct.
What do you hope future generations can learn from your professional journey?
To work hard, and that hard work is part of the journey.
