Dream Big, Act Boldly, and Never Give Up - Even During a War

Photo credit: Alexandr Korshykov

Alexandr Korshykov is the Founder and CEO of DreamX, a Ukrainian UX/UI design and development company. Starting his entrepreneurial journey in his early twenties, he grew DreamX from a two-person team to over 20, overcoming the challenges of a full-scale invasion in Ukraine. Alexander is committed to shaping the future of design and supporting social projects through innovation and impact-driven initiatives.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

My background is a blend of business, design, and sales experience. I completed my Master's in Business Analytics and Finance at Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, giving me the strategic perspective I needed to build my business. Early on, I worked in sales and experimented with design projects like creating business cards and illustrations. These experiences eventually led me to the digital field, where UX/UI design felt like the perfect match.

What inspired you to start your business?

The inspiration to start my business came from a strong desire to build something meaningful. I have always known that working for someone else wasn’t for me. I wanted to create, innovate, and see the impact of my efforts. At the age of 20, I realized that earning with my mind would give me endless possibilities, and the digital field felt like the perfect space for growth and mobility.

Where is your business based?

My business is based in Ukraine, and my entire team is here. We work remotely and provide clients with UX/UI design and development services worldwide. This setup allows us to stay connected globally while remaining deeply rooted in Ukraine.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

Starting my business was a journey that began with acknowledging what I didn't know. I realized that jumping into entrepreneurship would only be wise if I understood the IT industry, so I decided to learn first. I gave myself three months and went through nearly 100 job interviews for various positions, ranging from technical roles to UX/UI design. My main goal was to understand how the IT sector works. Most of them ended in rejection, but that didn't bother me. I focused on the bigger picture: learning as much as possible to prepare for my entrepreneurial path.  

After those three months, I felt ready to take my first steps. I decided to focus on UX/UI design, an area both fascinating and full of potential. With just $100, I bought a subscription to one of the freelance platforms. That was my entire investment. From there, I found my first client and reached out to a friend who was a designer, asking if she would work with me on the project. That is how it all began - just a small team, one project, and a lot of determination. By the way, that first client stayed with us for a whole year, which was a huge motivator and proof that we were on the right track. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

The most effective way of raising awareness for DreamX has been through the quality of our work. From the beginning, I focused on delivering high-quality results with a money-back guarantee, which built trust and made a strong impression on clients. I also introduced a milestone-based payment model to make the process more convenient for clients, which they appreciated.

Over time, word-of-mouth started to play a big role. Satisfied clients shared their experiences with friends, colleagues, and partners, naturally bringing new opportunities. Alongside this, platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Behance, and Dribbble helped us reach a broader audience and showcase what we do. It has been a mix of consistent work, client trust, and leveraging the right channels that helped raise awareness.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge I have faced was continuing to work and not giving up when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. I founded DreamX in January 2022, and the full-scale invasion had started by the end of February. It was an incredibly challenging and uncertain time. I realized that waiting for the "perfect moment" wasn't an option because it might never come. Instead, I focused on being more flexible and innovative in adapting to the new reality.

Now, it is 2024, and while the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, our team has adapted to these challenging conditions. We optimized our workflows to operate effectively amidst chaos and crisis. The journey hasn't been easy - new challenges arose daily, and quick problem-solving became essential. However, our willingness to embrace change and find solutions allowed us not only to sustain the business but also to grow and scale the company despite the circumstances. This experience taught me resilience and the importance of staying adaptable, no matter what obstacles come our way.

How do you stay focused?

I always start with detailed planning. I break large tasks into smaller ones, set priorities, and establish clear deadlines for each stage. This structure helps me stay focused on essential tasks and keep track of the progress made. Equally important, I am very systematic, and it's crucial that all processes are clearly defined and optimized. This approach allows me to work effectively, even in challenging situations.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

Our focus on transparency and truly putting the client first makes us different. At DreamX, we offer UX/UI design services across various industries, including healthcare, fintech, startups, AI, and beyond. This diversity allows us to approach projects with a fresh perspective and tailor our solutions to meet each client's unique needs.

Moreover, one of our key differentiators is our milestone-based payment model.  Clients only pay for the work completed, week by week. We don’t believe in holding onto funds for work that hasn’t been done yet. On top of that, we offer a money-back guarantee. If a client isn’t happy with our work, we return their money, no questions asked. And this isn’t just a promise. It’s something we have actually done.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

The most effective marketing strategy has been actively building a solid portfolio. The more diverse projects we completed, the more examples of our work we had to showcase to potential clients. This allowed us not only to demonstrate our experience and expertise but also to prove that we can handle tasks of varying complexity. The number of projects in our portfolio played a key role - each additional project expanded the range of clients we could attract. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is not to fear taking the first step. I know how difficult it can be to gather your thoughts and start your own business. However, it's often the fear of failure that holds us back. Mistakes are an inevitable part of any entrepreneurial journey, but what truly matters is learning from them and moving forward. Don't shy away from experimenting, trying new approaches, and stepping out of your comfort zone – it's in these moments that the most innovative ideas and solutions are born.

Another important advice is to embrace risk and not be afraid of financial losses. Business success often requires bold decisions, even if they lead to temporary setbacks. Remember, money is just a tool to gain experience and learn valuable lessons. Each failure makes you stronger and better equipped to make smarter decisions in the future.

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My digital world revolves around a few key tools. The first one is Telegram. It isn’t just a messenger for me. It’s a versatile, multifunctional platform. I love how flexible it is and how it adapts to various needs. Plus, the wide range of emojis makes communication more dynamic and expressive. Another favorite is LinkedIn. It offers incredible networking opportunities, and if used wisely, it can help build valuable connections that open doors to new perspectives and significant achievements.

When it comes to blogs, I like Lex Fridman’s podcast. His conversations with remarkable individuals are a constant source of inspiration and fresh ideas. As for books, Essentialism by Greg McKeown has had a profound impact on me. It taught me how to focus on what truly matters and eliminate unnecessary distractions - an essential skill in today’s world overflowing with information.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My favorite business tool is Looker Studio. It’s a tool that helps me with financial analysis. Looker Studio helps me turn complex data into clear, easy-to-understand dashboards, which makes analyzing situations and making decisions much faster and more informed. I use it to create detailed reports, track important performance metrics, and even forecast future outcomes. It's like having a reliable analyst whenever I need it.

Who is your business role model? Why?

My business role model is Donald Trump because he embodies resilience and the determination never to give up. His approach to life and business is inspiring, particularly his unwavering confidence and persistence in facing challenges. One of his fundamental principles, "always attack," resonates with me. It's about taking the initiative, acting boldly, and not being afraid to confront obstacles head-on. I see parallels between his philosophy and my belief in the importance of perseverance and the willingness to push forward to achieve goals.

How do you balance work and life?

For me, balancing work and life is more about the quality of time than the quantity. It's important to give sufficient attention to both projects and moments of rest. I plan my schedule so that, even with a high workload, I leave room for family, personal development, and relaxation.

As a CEO, with additional responsibilities and the company’s growth, I can’t completely avoid being involved in business matters outside of regular working hours. However, regular exercise, hobbies, taking breaks from the digital world, and spending time with loved ones help me stay productive and maintain a fresh perspective on work.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

For me, decompressing is about switching gears and recharging so I can return to work with a fresh perspective. Running is my go-to activity. It's a time when I can disconnect from work, reflect, or enjoy the moment. Running helps me restore energy, relieve stress, and approach tasks with a renewed mindset.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

The next six months are going to be very busy. First and foremost, we plan to continue scaling the business and expanding our team by bringing in new specialists. Our focus will be on enhancing the quality of our services and broadening our client base across new regions.

At the same time, I am prioritizing personal development to remain an effective leader. This includes attending professional conferences, exchanging insights with other experts, and deepening my knowledge of business management. I am also preparing for lectures and talks where I can share my experiences with startups and emerging professionals. My goal is to grow alongside the company, ensuring our ambitions are reflected in tangible results.

How can our readers connect with you?

There are plenty of ways to connect with me and my team, and we’re always happy to hear from new people. If you’d like to learn more about DreamX, explore our work, or discuss potential collaborations, you can start by visiting the DreamX website. 

For more personal connections, feel free to reach out on My LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter. You can also connect with DreamX on our LinkedIn page or Twitter to stay updated on our latest projects and company news.

If you prefer direct communication, don’t hesitate to email me at hello@dreamxweb.com. Whether you have a question, want to share ideas, or are looking for advice, I am always open to meaningful conversations. Networking and exchanging experiences are some of the most rewarding parts of what I do, so I don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d love to connect!