On August 4, Nataliya Adamova, Acting Director of the Donetsk Regional Employment Center, met with the team of the Zaboy showroom in Kramatorsk — a brand that proves business can grow and create jobs even in the most difficult times.
Thanks to the "Own Business" grant program and support from the Employment Service, entrepreneur Kateryna Dydyk received a microgrant to develop her business. The funds made it possible to open a spacious showroom in Kramatorsk: the premises were rented, equipped, and turned into a stylish space for customers. Additionally, a small coffee shop has already started operating under the Zaboy brand within the same space.
The entrepreneur created three jobs — a store manager, a sales consultant, and an administrator — and hired unemployed individuals from among internally displaced persons (IDPs).
“We wanted to create a place where it’s not just comfortable to work, but where every T-shirt, every print carries meaning. Zaboy is more than clothing. It’s the voice of Donetsk region. The support we received from the Employment Service gave us the confidence that even now, it’s possible not just to survive but to grow,” shared Maksym Lysenko, a representative of the employer.
The Employment Service continues to support the business: the entrepreneur is currently preparing documents to receive compensation for employing IDPs, as the state encourages employers to create jobs for displaced people.
Nataliya Adamova personally visited the showroom to see how the brand is evolving:
“We stand by our employers. The story of Zaboy is a vivid example of how state support programs can work effectively. When there’s an idea and love for your region, the Employment Service helps bring it to life,” she emphasized.
Zaboy has ambitious plans ahead: launching a barbershop, expanding its product line, and creating new job opportunities.