Congratulations to Tetyana Vasylykiv for achieving One-Star Director! Tetyana tells us, "Three years ago, I immigrated from Ukraine to the United States with big dreams and even bigger hopes. Like many immigrants, I believed that my main challenge would be finding a good job. If I could just build a stable career, I thought, everything else would fall into place.
"And I did it.
"Today, I serve as Director of Business Services at City Colleges of Chicago. It was a position I worked hard for, and one I am truly proud of. From the outside, it looked like success.
"But inside, something was missing.
"When I first arrived, I felt deeply isolated. I had no community, no close friends, no real sense of belonging. In many ways, the quality of my life felt lower than it had been back home. I had achieved professional stability, but I had lost connection, excitement, and the feeling that I was building something bigger than myself. I always knew I was meant for more — I just didn’t know what 'more' looked like.
"Then I saw an opportunity — a business that combined travel, income, and personal growth. At first, I didn’t believe in it. Honestly, I didn’t believe in myself either. I only wanted to travel more and maybe earn a little extra income. That was it.
"But I decided to give myself a chance.
"I started learning. I listened to people. I watched others succeed. I studied the possibilities. Slowly, something shifted. What began as curiosity turned into belief. First, I believed in the business. Then, I began to believe in myself.
"There were moments when doubt was louder than belief. Moments when quitting would have been easier. But I didn’t stop.
"And everything changed.
"Today, I stand at the level of One-Star Director — something I never imagined when I first arrived in this country feeling alone and uncertain. I am surrounded by ambitious, supportive, and inspiring people. I have community. I have purpose. I have vision. The problems that once felt overwhelming — isolation, lack of belonging, limited growth — have been replaced with connection, expansion, and opportunity.
"Most importantly, I am deeply grateful that I didn’t quit on myself.
"This journey has shown me that sometimes success isn’t about changing your country or your job — it’s about changing your belief. And when you do, an entirely different life becomes possible.
"Thank you for the opportunity."