A family business, tailored for a better future

The pandemic has sparked business ideas for many, including Iulia Cernobrivcenko from Tiraspol. While on maternity leave, Iulia literally tailored a family business together with her mother. Although they have different professions, Iulia being an economist and her mother a seamstress, this combination proved to be successful as they opened a sewing atelier in Tiraspol called Fatin. 

“We sewed masks in large quantities and took on many orders. Then we moved on to individual orders and, little by little, we realised that we had to do something else. We realised that we can do more,” says Iulia.

“The idea came to us after my daughter went on maternity leave. I was sewing custom orders at home because I am a costume designer at a local theatre. I have experience. I simply suggested it to my daughter because I wanted to ensure a more stable financial future for her. She takes care of the financial part, and I take care of the practical one. And so, we slowly began to grow,” adds Victoria Pirogova, Iulia’s mother.

The Business HUB in Tiraspol – a ‘school’ for future entrepreneurs 

To set the business in motion, Iulia first started following the activities of the Business HUB in Tiraspol, Transnistria, the first centre in the region for entrepreneurship support and development, created in 2022 with the support of the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP Moldova. By participating in HUB’s events, Iulia managed to integrate into the community of future entrepreneurs and gained not only courage but also the skills to launch her business.

“After some analysis, we found that our doctors spend half their lives at work. They need comfortable, high-quality clothing that ensures their well-being and comfort. That’s how we started working from home. We only had two sewing machines, and we took on any order we received. Now we can already be proud of what we have achieved,” says Iulia.

From two sewing machines to a fully equipped workshop

In 2024, with financial support of approximately €17,000 from the European Union, Iulia expanded her business, transitioning from a makeshift workspace at home to a modern workshop equipped with high-performance machinery.

This investment allowed her to create jobs and carve out a niche in the market. Now, her workshop produces work uniforms for beauty professionals, food service staff, and healthcare workers.

“We received equipment such as linear sewing machines and overlock machines, without which our work would be impossible. They enable us to produce high-quality medical and protective equipment thanks to the special seams they create. The equipment includes a zigzag sewing machine, a piping sewing machine, a professional embroidery machine, along with a steam generator and an ironing table,” explains Iulia.

Galina Bezprozvannaia joined Iulia’s team a year ago, having worked for a large company in the textile industry: “The equipment is good. For me, as a seamstress, the machines are very important for sewing products quickly and to a high standard.”

Workshop development and investment plan for automation

In addition to equipment and business management mentoring, Iulia also receives support in creating the company’s visual identity, helping her to position herself effectively on the market. She is currently preparing a specialised catalogue that will showcase the products created in the workshop.

Looking ahead, Iulia is planning new investments in equipment that will automate processes and optimise the workshop’s operations. 

Supporting young entrepreneurs and the business environment is part of a broader effort by the European Union and UNDP to build trust and promote economic development on both sides of the Nistru River. The total value of the support provided for the development of the business environment is over €529,000.

The Business HUB in Tiraspol was created with the support of the European Union’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP Moldova in 2022.

This article was first published on UNDP.org