One of the most successful businessmen of our times, Richard Branson, said, “It’s a shame that people shut down ideas because they’re worried about being crushed by people who are supposedly better educated than them. This is all about fear of failure. In my opinion, entrepreneurial drive beats a fancy degree anytime.”
There is no doubt that education is essential, but considering that education is the only path to success is a myth. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs all reached unprecedented professional heights without advanced degrees. Hence, success does not necessarily depend on your degree but is all about your drive, motivation, and determination to work hard and progress continuously.
Elena Kaminskiy is one such example who started working at a very young age and learned the ropes of running a business when she was only 12 years old. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, she immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of three. Growing up, Elena was involved in several of her parents’ family businesses. From helping her parents clean commercial offices for their own janitorial business in her early teens to being promoted to the manager of her father’s coffee shop at 17, she has been immersed in the world of business.
The year Elena finished high school was the same year she married Sergei Kaminskiy. They immediately started their first company and have been entrepreneurs since then. The couple started off with a handyman company which has now grown into a full-fledged design and remodeling firm called Kaminskiy Home Remodeling. Along with this, they invest in real estate as she is a licensed realtor.
Adding to her portfolio, Elena Kaminskiy founded her own company Flawless Face Pillows. She created an innovative pillow design that is loved by celebrities, dermatologists and women all around the world. The Flawless Face Pillow is a revolutionary creation that helps promote sleeping on your back by cradling your head in place. It allows you to move to your side without creasing your face while keeping it moisturized and hydrated at night. Besides, if you religiously follow a nighttime skincare routine, the unique pillow allows your creams and oils to stay on your face instead of ending up on your pillow. Wait, there is more! The covers are made of soft satin or silk options which keeps you moisturized and healthy all night long.
The Flawless Face Pillow was born out of a desperate need, not only for the general public but also for Elena herself. After purchasing and trying every anti-wrinkle pillow on the market, she became frustrated by the results. She thought to herself that ‘there has to be a better way’ and what if there was a pillow that wrapped around your head and was able to stay on all night? Elena ran to the drawing board and started working on the designs. It had to be comfortable, not touch the side of your face, and be able to move with you.
It took over a year and twenty different prototypes to get the pillow just right. She didn’t quit, and there was nothing that could deter her spirits. And finally, the perfect design for the Flawless Face Pillow came into being. From thereon, it was no looking back for her. Her product started selling like hotcakes as women poured in their positive reviews about how they felt the change in themselves within a week.
A doting mother to three kids, along with running a number of businesses, Elena believes that it is all about priorities. Her two older kids are now homeschooled and are able to do a lot of their schoolwork without her help. When they were younger, they used to go to daycare part-time so she could work and still be a present mom. Now that she has a baby again, she prioritizes being with her baby and still get the work done.
Elena Kaminskiy does not have a university degree, yet she has the determination to excel in whatever she chooses to do. It’s all about your mindset. If you have a negative frame of mind and play the blame game for not achieving your goals, you will never be able to take proactive action to turn your dream into reality. However, if you are willing to do anything to accomplish your wish, you are so much closer to making that happen.
She is at a point in her life where she not only wants to take her company to new levels but wants to teach others how they can turn their ideas into profitable businesses. Starting working from a very young age, Elena achieved her dreams sooner in life than most entrepreneurs out there. In fact, she firmly believes that there is no time and age to start an initiative; all you need is the drive to become the best in your field and be motivated to work hard towards it.
Aspiring businesspersons, especially women, can learn a thing or two from the real-life success story of Elena Kaminskiy. She took risks, learned from her mistakes and was prepared to overcome any challenges in order to make it big in this competitive world of business.
