Oleksandra Marchenko shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Oleksandra, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When was the last time you felt true joy?
The last time I felt true joy was at the opening
of my studio in Florida. After moving to a new country and starting everything from zero, that day felt like a dream finally coming true. What touched me most was that my clients came to celebrate with me, to congratulate me, and to share this special moment together. Their warmth and support reminded me once again that I am building not just a business, but a community.
I was also deeply grateful to have my best friend by my side — someone who has been with me throughout my entire life — and my family, who has always been with me in every step of this journey. Knowing that they are here with me in this new chapter gives me strength every day.
That combination — the love of my clients, the loyalty of a lifelong friend, and the constant support of my family — made me feel the purest happiness and gave me even more motivation to keep growing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Oleksandra Marchenko, and I am the founder of Sasha Hair Studio in Oldsmar, Florida. I have been working in the beauty industry more than 10 years, specializing in blonde transformations, nano hair extensions, and advanced hair restoration treatments.
Before moving to the United States, I owned and operated a successful beauty salon in Kyiv, Ukraine, for the last 6 years. Three years ago, I relocated to Florida to start a new chapter in my life and career. Opening my studio here was not only about continuing my professional journey but also about creating a welcoming space where women feel cared for, confident, and truly beautiful.
What makes my brand unique is the combination of deep professional expertise, years of salon ownership experience, and an individual approach to every client. I also love introducing my American clients to the professional products and standards that we used in Ukraine. Through consultations, I gladly share my knowledge and demonstrate how hair care was approached back home, so that here my clients can feel how important it is to be truly cared for.
Today, Sasha Hair Studio is more than just a salon — it’s a place where European precision meets American warmth, where every woman can relax, recharge, and leave feeling like the best version of herself.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most defining moments in my life was leaving Ukraine because of the war and moving to the United States. It was not a planned career step or a search for better opportunities — it was a necessity, a decision made to protect my family and to find a safe future.
Arriving in America, I suddenly realized that my life was beginning completely from scratch. I was not a teenager discovering the world for the first time, but a grown woman with a family, a history, and more than a decade of professional experience behind me. And yet, I found myself starting over in a new country where no one knew me, my achievements, or the business I had built in Kyiv.
That experience reshaped how I see the world. It taught me resilience, courage, and the ability to rebuild even when everything seems uncertain. Today, when I welcome clients into my studio, I carry this perspective with me: I know that beauty, confidence, and strength can be rebuilt — just as life itself can be rebuilt. This belief inspires me to care for my clients not just as a stylist, but as someone who deeply understands the value of transformation.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a moment when I almost gave up — it was in the first year after moving to the United States. I had left behind my home, my salon in Kyiv, and the professional reputation I had built for over a decade. Suddenly, I was in a new country where no one knew me, and I had to start everything from zero.
During that time, I also faced negativity from people who told me things like: “The competition here is too high,” or “Don’t expect that you’ll be able to start quickly, it won’t be that easy for you.” Those words could have easily discouraged me, but instead, they made me even more determined.
I knew that my love for this craft and my passion for creating beauty — something I had devoted almost my entire life to — would guide me forward. And it did. Today, I have my own small studio in Florida, and every client who walks through my door is proof that resilience, dedication, and love for what you do will always win over doubt.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is sincerity and genuine care for people. Coming from Ukraine, I grew up in an environment where relationships, hospitality, and loyalty were deeply important. It’s not just about how something looks on the outside — it’s about the warmth, the heart, and the real effort you put into it.
In my work, I carry this value every day. I don’t see clients as just appointments — I see them as people who trust me with something deeply personal, their hair and their confidence. For me, true professionalism means not only delivering high-quality results, but also creating an atmosphere where someone feels seen, respected, and cared for.
Even living in America, I continue to honor this part of my culture. It is what makes my studio not just a place of beauty, but a place of connection.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I was someone who made others feel truly seen, cared for, and beautiful. That I was not only a hairstylist, but a woman who poured her heart into helping other women feel confident and strong.
I want people to remember that I came to a new country, started from nothing, and built a studio that became a place of trust, comfort, and transformation. Not just because of my skills, but because of the love, sincerity, and dedication behind every service I provided.
At the same time, I am also a mother of two wonderful children, and motherhood has never stopped me from pursuing my career or building my dreams. On the contrary, it has given me even more strength, motivation, and purpose.
Today, my studio is still small — just 2 years since I first opened it in Florida — but I know this is only the beginning. With every year, I see growth, new opportunities, and stronger connections with my clients. And I believe that what I am building will continue to expand and touch more lives.
If my story inspires even one person to keep going through challenges, to believe in themselves, and to never give up on what they love — then that will be the legacy I am proud to leave.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashahairstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1765etqn8b/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/m69R8QVLLyMRCHP7A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
