Managing an international business structure requires a careful balance between strategic vision and operational discipline. Julia Danilova leads DOMIO, with operations in Kyiv and Warsaw, and YDF London. She is also a co-founder of DP Media, a publishing house in Ukraine behind titles such as Elle, Elle Decoration, Harper’s Baazar, Cosmopolitan and Domio Publishing Poland (Architectural Digest). In an interview with ELLE Business, she shares her experience of making business divisions profitable, her approach to effective delegation in the creative industry, and how Ukrainian adaptability is becoming a key competitive advantage in global markets.
Julia, you are an entrepreneur, CEO of DOMIO and YDF London, a publisher and a curator of leading international brands. How do you manage to balance these roles? Which feels most aligned with who you are today, and which requires the greatest effort?
I love challenges and ambitious goals. I am excited by complex tasks. The other side of the business involves structuring operations, managing day-to-day activities, making projects profitable and working meticulously with analytics. This requires focus, and it is where I make a conscious effort to stay disciplined. I feel very fortunate to have met so many talented and capable people along the way.I am truly happy and to work alongside the best - incredibly talented partners and an exceptional team! I am always looking to refine my approach and learn from examples of how business efficiency can and should be improved.
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In a business where the founder’s vision is an integral part of the product itself, delegation must be particularly challenging. Do you remember when you realised you could no longer be involved in every detail? How did you learn to let go of control without losing the business’s identity, and what is the secret to successful delegation?
Whenever I see that a particular matter requires my full attention, I immerse myself in it completely. If something is new and I understand that I need to do it myself, I roll up my sleeves and get involved in the operational side of things, right down to the smallest details. Only once you realise that someone alongside you can handle the task just as effectively, with the same level of precision and attention to detail, can you truly let go of control. I dream of working with people I can rely on, and I feel fortunate that I already have that opportunity.
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How does your Ukrainian identity manifest itself in international business? Does it influence the way you build teams, partnerships and professional communities?
You begin to understand your identity and the strengths it gives you when you step outside your familiar environment. After five years of living in London, I realised just how unique our Ukrainian identity is. And that is our advantage. It is our work ethic, determination and resilience in the face of difficulties. We do not stop when we encounter obstacles. We are flexible, adaptable and able to think on our feet. I believe adaptability is one of our greatest strengths.
We have been through so much and are constantly navigating challenging circumstances, so in many ways, this has become our normal environment. I am incredibly happy to be Ukrainian, proud of who we are, and whenever I have the opportunity, I always speak about it.
What do you see as the next stage in the development of your businesses?
The next step is to scale the business in a more structured and sustainable way. I want every division to be profitable and continue to grow dynamically, and every project to achieve the strongest possible financial results. That is my main priority.
