Today we’d like to introduce you to Maksym Kondratenko.
Hi Maksym, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Maksym, and together with my wife Alla, we are the founders of KONDRA. We’re originally from Ukraine, where we ran a successful online business for over 10 years. When the war began, we were forced to flee our home to protect our two small children. It was a difficult and heartbreaking decision, but safety came first.
Starting over in the U.S. wasn’t easy. We had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, and begin building our business again from scratch. Despite all the challenges, we never gave up.
Today, we’re proud to continue our mission through KONDRA — our brand of handmade women’s bags crafted in Ukraine by talented friends and artisans. They create each bag by hand and ship them to us here in the U.S., where we sell them online. Through this work, we’re not only rebuilding our lives — we’re also supporting Ukraine and sharing its spirit through every product.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has definitely not been smooth. When we arrived in the U.S., we had to start completely from scratch — no network, no resources, and barely any knowledge of English. It was overwhelming at times, especially with two small children and all the trauma from the war.
We also faced the emotional pain of leaving our home, our family, and the business we had spent years building. Financially, it was hard. We had to rebuild everything while trying to adapt to a new country and culture.
Starting a business again in a new market has been full of challenges — understanding how things work here, finding our first customers, and trying to promote handmade bags from Ukraine to an audience that didn’t know our story. But through it all, we stayed focused, learned every day, and kept going.
As you know, we’re big fans of KONDRA INDUSTRIES L.L.C.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
KONDRA INDUSTRIES LLC is a small, family-run business based in Michigan. We specialize in handmade women’s bags crafted from vegan leather by Ukrainian artisans. Each piece is made with great care and attention to detail, reflecting not just style and quality, but also resilience and heart.
What sets us apart is our story and our mission. We don’t mass-produce. Our bags are created in small batches in Ukraine, then shipped to the U.S. where we sell them online. By doing this, we support skilled craftsmen in Ukraine who continue their work during wartime. Every bag carries not only function and beauty — it carries hope.
We are most proud of staying true to our values — combining modern design with traditional craftsmanship, all while giving back to the people and country that shaped us. Our goal is to offer more than just a product. We want our customers to feel connected to something meaningful.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
One resource that has really helped me is the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear — it reminded me that even small steps every day can lead to big results. I also enjoy listening to “How I Built This”, a podcast that shares inspiring stories from entrepreneurs who started from scratch. It helps remind me that challenges are part of the journey.
I use Instagram and Canva daily to create and share our brand story. Tools like ChatGPT also help when I need quick inspiration or support with writing. These resources keep me motivated and focused as we continue growing KONDRA.
Pricing:
- Handmade vegan leather handbags: $50–$75
- Crossbody bags and clutches: $45–$75
- All bags are handcrafted in Ukraine
- Free U.S. shipping on all orders
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kondrabags.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kondra.bags/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KondraIndusties/
