Kostiantyn Tkachuk is a master and designer involved in the production of prayer beads, jewelry, and other accessories. Every product you find on the RosaryshopUA store page is created with soul and sincerity. Customers of the store assure: the knitted prayer beads of the brand, woven using ancient technology, protect and bring luck to their owners.

Shop on Etsy

Before entering the international market, Kostiantyn already had a store in Ukraine. He was interested in bioenergy, selling shungite souvenirs — a stone well known for its healing properties. Later, he came up with the idea to offer customers other products besides stones and pyramids.

“I’ve always been interested in prayer beads. So I started to get involved in them gradually. Then I decided to try myself in international trade. The internet business is a very powerful thing. You can work in any country, in any convenient location for you. As long as you have an idea and the desire to realize it. By the way, a very helpful book for opening a store on your own was Alexander’s (electronic guidebook O. Radich’s ‘Sell on Etsy’ — ed.) book. It contains everything a beginner needs to know.”

The RosaryshopUA store page on Etsy appeared in 2016. Quite soon, Kostiantyn integrated into the flow and started competing quite successfully with the American market in terms of price and order fulfillment times. The main factor was, of course, the fast delivery from Ukraine to the USA. American customers are accustomed to receiving orders quickly, even if the goods are shipped across the ocean, and Western Bid, a service used by the entrepreneur, could deliver the product anywhere in the US within a week.

After February 24

The first period after the full-scale invasion was tough. Conflicting emotions reigned, disbelief that such a thing could really happen, and elements of panic.

“Thank God, they (Russian troops — ed.) did not enter Kyiv. And although we could continue working, all international carriers immediately left Ukraine due to the constant threat. Ukrposhta did not operate until mid-March. How to keep the business running? How to make money at all? How to live? Uncertainty scared more than anything.”

To distract himself from gloomy thoughts, Kostiantyn continued working. He made the same agreement with his craftsmen who live in various cities across Ukraine: they make preparations, and as soon as the post resumes, they send them to Kyiv, and he distributes the products to customers.

At the end of February — beginning of March, the number of visitors to the website sharply increased. During this time, people continued to place orders, write letters, express support, and offer help. Delivery times were delayed. The entrepreneur practically did not leave his computer: he sent thank-you letters, apologized for the delays, and promised that all orders would be fulfilled. And the customers truly waited.

“I can say with one hundred percent confidence that I have the most loyal customers in the world. After all, the products are Christian, the clients are believers. Only two people refused to wait, and I refunded their money.”

Once the most difficult phase was behind, and logistics companies gradually resumed their activities, working became much easier. The quality and speed of work were not affected by air raid sirens or power outages that struck Ukrainians in the fall.

“When they started turning off the power, I bought a large battery and charging station — they really helped me. Also, I have mobile internet from every mobile operator, just in case. For stable operation, this was enough. So what alert? The store is my creation, into which I have invested my soul. I can’t just leave it and my customers at the mercy of circumstances.”

Stories that Fill Life with Meaning

The RosaryshopUA brand offers its customers a fairly wide range of products. The main focus of the store is prayer beads and bracelets. Their assortment includes about three hundred types, differing in colors, shapes, and materials. The most popular are classic prayer beads with a tassel and bracelets on 33 knots called “Broyanitsa”. They are usually made from black, gray, or brown threads, but there are also more vibrant, gift options.

Generally, Kostiantyn purchases everything necessary for production in Ukraine; some fittings are ordered from China. Last spring, to avoid shortages of materials, the entrepreneur stocked up with everything he could find for several months ahead.

Of course, over time, audience tastes change. It is necessary to constantly analyze competitors, monitor the market, including Etsy and Pinterest. It’s interesting but also requires round-the-clock attention. Often, new ideas come directly from customers: what to do? where to look? what might they like?

“It’s interesting to create a new model. Even more interesting to implement it. When it starts selling, you see that the idea works — that’s what gives you a lot of positive emotions. But the greatest satisfaction comes from thank-you letters. My customers are very happy when I respond immediately, listen to them, create personalized products based on their wishes. For a seller, nothing is more important than a happy and satisfied customer.”

Kostiantyn receives orders with the most diverse wishes and requests. For example, many clients who have converted from Catholicism to Orthodoxy ask him to make traditional Orthodox prayer beads for prayer. Sometimes some clients are short a few dollars to order directly from the RosaryshopUA store — in such cases, the entrepreneur always meets them halfway and offers a discount.

“It’s nice to help people. Thanks to this, I received many grateful reviews. And since the beginning of the war, I even managed to promote Ukraine abroad in my modest way. I created a separate series in national yellow and blue colors. It was eagerly bought up. Many people wrote words of support to me back then.”

It even happened that clients bought yellow and blue prayer beads, came to their parish in the USA, and everyone immediately saw that these parishioners are from Ukraine.

Another interesting case is the creation of prayer beads for American prisoners. The customer requested handmade prayer beads without any metal fittings, purely made from thread.

“Many of my clients are involved in charity work, participating in American social life. I always fulfill such orders with special inspiration because I am contributing to their work and helping bring goodness into this world.”

Western Bid

For Kostiantyn, Western Bid is the best intermediary, allowing him to focus on work and forget about delivery concerns. All he needs to do is send the goods to the company’s warehouse, even via Nova Poshta, and Western Bid handles the shipment independently.

“When the war started and Western Bid quickly set up logistics, I can confidently say that it saved my business. In spring, I probably overwhelmed their hotline with my questions: what can I do? how to transfer money? how can they help me? Later, everything, thank God, was resolved. I even managed to return to my pre-war timelines somewhat. Of course, I would like to return to the pre-war deadlines, but this will become possible only after the war ends.”

Cooperation with Western Bid

From the example of RosaryshopUA, we see that Western Bid has become a key stability factor for the client:

• Logistical support: Fast delivery to the USA (within a week) allows the Ukrainian brand to compete on equal footing with local manufacturers.
• Business salvation during crises: The ability of the company to quickly restore logistical chains at the beginning of the full-scale war became critically important for the store’s survival.
• Financial stability and support: Operating a hotline and assisting with fund withdrawal during the toughest times helped the entrepreneur maintain calm and control over the situation.