February 24, 2022, the day that changed our lives
On this day, as usual, I woke up at 7:30 in the morning and went to my favorite job. On the way, I always went to the post office, received docoments. However, this time, the post office was closed, which surprised me a lot. A large traffic jam was visible ahead. I never got to work. I learned about the beginning of the war at 8:30.
Just yesterday, we were discussing new products with our Chinese partners, planned the order of products, made plans for the future, and today, with a trembling hand, I am writing to them that the war has begun.
All thoughts were about the future. What shall I do? What will happen to the business? How to save yourself? The enemy was already 9 km away from our warehouse - a battle was taking place at the Antonov airport. We heard explosions and saw black smoke on the horizon.
This was the first day we did not receive any orders. Most of the parcels with orders that were sent the day before were returned. Sales stopped.
Russian soldiers were getting closer and closer to us. Tanks were already driving through the nearby streets. On March 1, we were forced to leave the city of Irpin. The warehouse with the goods was closed. Business stopped. Leaving Irpen, I hoped to return in a few days. We had online cameras, so I could watch what was happening in the warehouse for a few more days. After a few days, the Internet was disconnected.
Those were the worst days of my life. Everything I worked for for 9 years is gone, taken away. The most terrible thing is that I could not do anything, only wait to believe in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and hope that everything will be fine.
Some of our goods were destroyed
On February 28, the container with our goods, which was undergoing customs clearance in the city of Boryspil, was stolen. We still haven't received the compensation. War is a force majeure, as they say.
A friend is known in trouble
«A friend is known in trouble» – many people know this saying, but you can believe it only after checking it on your own experience. Thanks to all European partners for supporting our business. Our LIVOLO business partners from Poland, Slovakia, Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Moldova and others helped us in whatever way they could. Thank you friends!
Business recovery
We returned to Irpin on April 6. Our city is unrecognizable. A month ago there was life here, now it smells like death. We cooked food on the fire. There was no electricity, gas, mobile communication. The temperature in the house was only 3 degrees
The first thing I did was visit the warehouse. The warehouse was not damaged, which means that business can be resumed. It is very difficult to describe the emotions you feel when you see your favorite product that has survived. A product you love that makes our customers' lives better. There was no limit to joy.
In April, we started to resume work. We called all our partners and customers. It was nice to hear the good news - "we are alive, we are trying to work."
The war affected everyone. The real estate market in Ukraine decreased by 80%. Construction is only 10% compared to 2021. Many shops stopped their work. This has had a huge impact on our sales.
Many sellers closed their shops, went to the front or volunteered. In the photo, the director of the electrical goods store SvitloFor from the city of Kryi Rih. One of thousands of examples of how businessmen protect Ukraine, business and you and me.
We took turns and worked at the same time.
Advertisement of the new LIVOLO product
A lot of work has been done to increase online sales. We increased the number of products, make their photos, videos and product descriptions. Advertised on Google, Facebook, Instagram. Involved other online web-stores in cooperation.
We called designers, builders, electricians. We told and showed them our product, distributed product samples and catalogs.
We actively started promoting a new product - furniture sockets (Pull up and Table socket). Sockets that save space on the table are used only when needed. A big advantage is that the socket is set. The client can complete the socket according to his needs. You can install any simple sockets or USB-A and USB-C sockets, Internet sockets, or even a touch switch, anything to choose from. It is very convenient. That's why I love LIVOLO.
There are two options for furniture sockets:
1. Pull up pop up lifting socket blocks. It rises vertically up in the form of a column. It has two or three holes for installing sockets. There are models with wireless charging.
2. Table socket blocks. It is installed horizontally. Opens like a shell. It has two or three holes for installing sockets.
Exhibitions with furniture sockets were installed in more than 10 retail stores.
Increasing LIVOLO exhibition in retail stores
Unfortunately, we all know what an air alarm is. A siren signal that tears your soul, notifying that somewhere a rocket is flying in your direction. It is necessary to stop work and go to a safe place - a shelter. In Ukraine, during 2022, an air alert was announced approximately 15 thousand times. On average, there were 47 air alarms per day. The minimum is 4 and the maximum is 189 per day.
Despite the air alarm, we installed showcases with samples of LIVOLO products in 17 new stores in 12 cities such as Lviv, Kyiv, Dnipro, Rivne, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zhytomyr, Drohobych, Berdychiv, Uzhhorod, Varash.
In the city of Lviv, in one of the stores, we installed a LIVOLO showcase with more than 250 pieces product samples!
Assistance to residents of cities liberated from occupation
In times of war, every order is very important. We appreciate each of our customers, regardless of whether they ordered a single socket or an order for electrical goods for the whole house. Each of their orders is support for us. But sometimes there are orders with which we have to support our customers. Give them love and hope for the best.
The city of Kherson. Before the war, we had 7 stores in Kherson that sold LIVOLO. Unfortunately, they are now closed, hopefully temporarily. Kherson was occupied from February 24 to November 11, 2022. For 9 months, people lived in fear, sometimes without light, heat, or water. After the liberation of Kherson from November 11, we received only 2 orders from this city. Orders were shipped free, the customer did not pay for the product. This is the small happiness that we can do for the people of Kherson now.
Adaptation to new conditions
We all remember the fuel crisis at the beginning of the war. When it was impossible to buy gasoline, all gas stations were closed. We had to stand in line for gas for 12 hours. Nowadays, we all have a canister of gasoline at home just in case.
After the attack on the energy facilities of Ukraine, we began to live in a new world, a world where ordinary things such as electricity and mobile communication have become rare. There were days when there was no electricity for 3 days in a row. Now there are days when we have electricity for 3-4 hours a day. But despite everything, we are working, sending orders every day. The problem with electricity was solved by installing powerful batteries and a gasoline electric generator. Connect the generator to a Livolo socket, it can withstand up to 3.5 kW of load.
What will happen next?
We will continue to work. We will overcome temporary difficulties, because we are Ukrainians. Sunrise always comes after sunset. I am sure that we will be able not only to restore, but also to build a new Ukraine. We believe that victory will come very soon. Therefore, we are already actively preparing for this.
Glory to Ukraine! Together to victory!
