Today we’d like to introduce you to Yuliia Bolkun.
Yuliia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I never really planned to get into creating content for brands — it all kind of happened unexpectedly. About a year and a half ago, I moved to the U.S. from Ukraine. I was six months pregnant at the time, and to support myself, I started working at a local café. It was actually a place I really loved — the people there were incredibly kind and supportive, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Back then, I thought I’d go back to that job after having my baby. But once he was born, everything changed. I realized how hard it is to leave your little one, even for a few hours. I just wanted to be with him. But, of course, living in the U.S. means you have to work — that’s just reality.
So I started looking for other options, something that would allow me to earn an income while staying home with my baby. That’s when I came across UGC — user-generated content for brands. I saw it was something brands were actually looking for, and I got curious.
I started learning everything I could about it, took a course to understand how to create high-quality, effective content — not just for free products, but as a serious job. In the beginning, I filmed with whatever I had at home, signed up for every app I could find, did barter collaborations, and gave it 200%. And little by little, it started to work. After a few months, brands began reaching out to me with paid offers.
Now, I’m a full-time content creator. I work with brands every day, creating videos and campaigns — and the best part is, I get to do it all while being home with my baby. It’s not something I ever imagined myself doing, but it turned out to be exactly what I needed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it was all smooth, but honestly, I think I’ve been lucky. Or maybe it’s just that I knew exactly what I was working toward, and I kept going no matter what. I’ve been really fortunate to meet kind, supportive people along the way — and that’s meant a lot, especially being in a new country without my usual support system.
Of course, like with anything new, there were plenty of moments where I had to learn from scratch, make mistakes, fix them, try again. It definitely took time and effort. But I was very motivated — I wanted to find something of my own that would let me be with my baby and still grow as a person. And that goal really kept me going.
So yes, there were challenges, but they didn’t stop me. If anything, they made me more confident that I was on the right path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a UGC content creator — I collaborate with brands to create authentic, relatable videos that speak directly to their audience. What I really focus on is emotional storytelling. I don’t just showcase a product — I try to tell a story that makes people feel something, that makes them stop scrolling and actually connect.
I think that’s what sets me apart — I put a lot of heart into every piece of content. I want viewers to feel like they’re hearing from a real person, not just watching another ad.
What I’m most proud of is that within just three months of starting, I had already completed over 100 successful collaborations with brands. And it’s not just about the numbers — it’s about the trust I’ve been able to build in such a short time, both with brands and with the audience watching my content.
I’m constantly learning and evolving, but at the core of it all, I really care about the message behind the video. That’s what keeps me inspired every day.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I really believe that luck has played a role in my journey — especially when it comes to the people I’ve met. I’ve been lucky to cross paths with kind, supportive people who helped me more than they probably realize.
There were also moments of luck that shaped big parts of my life. Before moving to the U.S., I had my own business in Ukraine. And I was able to come here because I won the green card lottery — something that still feels almost unbelievable. So yes, that was luck, and I’m grateful for it.
But at the same time, I don’t think luck is everything. Luck might open a door, but it’s still up to you to do the hard work, to walk through it and build something from it. Behind every “lucky” moment in my life, there’s also been a lot of effort, learning, and late nights. I think it’s really about both — being open to the opportunities and being ready to work for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuliiab.usa
