Anna-Maria Is More Than a Realtor

She is someone who built her path in the United States through courage, adaptation, education, communication, and the willingness to take opportunities when they appear.
Her story began with moving to the United States as an international student. At the age of 15, she first came to America through the FLEX Future Leaders Exchange program, found herself in a completely new environment, and very early learned independence, adaptation, and inner resilience.

A brief look at Anna-Maria Skakodub:

• realtor in the Chicago area;
• expert in residential and investment real estate;
• works with Comar Real Estate;
• graduate of National Louis University;
• has experience in the diplomatic field;
• speaker at Women’s Identity Dinner and participant in URC initiatives.

Her story is not only about a career in real estate. It is about the ability to change direction, stop waiting for perfect circumstances, take responsibility, and build yourself in a new country not through fear, but through action.

Real Estate as a Profession of Trust, Analysis, and Human Understanding

From the outside, the work of a realtor may look like showing homes, taking beautiful photos, and signing documents. In reality, it is a profession where you must be a strategist, negotiator, analyst, and someone who truly understands people – all at the same time.

In Anna-Maria’s approach, it is not enough to simply find a house. It is important to understand who is in front of you: how this person lives, where they work, whether they have children, what their habits are, what their lifestyle looks like, and what “home” truly means to them.

Her work brings together several important elements:

• Market analysis – understanding price, demand, competition, and the potential of a property.
• Negotiation – knowing how to lead the process and protect the client’s interests.
• Buying strategy – not just finding a home, but winning the right property.
• Understanding people – seeing not only the budget, but the client’s real needs.
• Investment thinking – evaluating not only the beauty of a home, but also its potential.

In her work, it is not just about showing a client several properties. It is about guiding them through the process so that by the time they reach closing, they feel truly confident in their decision.

It is important for me to know who you are as a client, who you are as a buyer or a seller.

That is why her approach is based not only on numbers, but also on attentiveness to the person.

Courage Without Waiting for the Perfect Moment

Many people postpone change because they are waiting for a better time, more stable conditions, more confidence, or perfect resources. For Anna-Maria, that approach does not work.

Her life logic is simple: when an opportunity appears, you take it. Even if it is scary. Even if it is uncomfortable. Even if the future is unknown.

Her transition from the diplomatic field into real estate was not an escape from her previous experience, but a new stage. Diplomacy gave her communication skills, negotiation experience, the ability to understand people, and the discipline to set the right tone. Real estate became the space where those skills could be applied every day – in real decisions, transactions, and work with clients.

Anna-Maria’s approach can be described very simply:

• do not wait for perfect circumstances;
• do not make decisions out of fear;
• do not stay in comfort if it stops your growth;
• take opportunities when they appear;
• act even when it feels scary.

It is scarier to stay in comfort and degrade than to step into something frightening.

This idea explains her character well: do not stand still, do not hold on to what is familiar only because of fear, and do not allow uncertainty to control your life.

Professional Path and a New Level of Responsibility

Today, Anna-Maria’s work is not only about finding a home. It is about taking responsibility for a decision that may affect a person’s life for years.

In a market where demand often exceeds supply, it is not enough to simply find a beautiful property. You also have to win it: evaluate the situation correctly, prepare a strong offer, anticipate how the deal may develop, and guide the client through the process without unnecessary chaos.

For Anna-Maria, this requires a balance between cold calculation and intuition. Numbers are needed for analysis, strategy is needed for a strong decision, and intuition helps you feel how to act in a specific situation.

One of the most emotional experiences for her was helping her own parents buy real estate. That moment allowed her to feel even more deeply how important the role of a realtor is – as a guide, a second opinion, and a person who leads the client through the entire process.

A realtor is like a mentor, like a right hand that guides you through the whole process.

This phrase describes her professional role well: to be more than an intermediary, and to help the client make decisions calmly, thoughtfully, and strategically.

Women’s Courage, Women’s Identity Dinner, and URC

At the center of Anna-Maria’s story is a woman who is not afraid to change direction, take responsibility, and build her own story in a new country. She does not wait for fear to disappear – she acts despite it.

That is why her participation in Women’s Identity Dinner feels very natural. This event brings women together around self-respect, inner strength, elegance, identity, and the courage to be themselves. For Anna-Maria, this evening is an opportunity to speak to the audience about decisions that change lives.

Courage is what separates us from our goal, from our dream.

Her main message to women is simple: do not wait for perfect moments, resources, or circumstances. If a thought appears in your mind to create something, change something, or initiate something – that is already a sign that you need to act.
For URC, sharing stories like this is important because they reflect the modern, active, and strong Ukrainian presence in the United States. Through URC Radio, URC Life, URC Events, and partner initiatives, we highlight people and businesses that do more than build careers – they create trust, a culture of action, professionalism, and real value for the community.

More Than Real Estate

The story of Anna-Maria Skakodub is a story of how a profession becomes an extension of a person. Her work in real estate grew from her personal qualities: courage, communication, strategic thinking, the ability to understand people, and the readiness to take responsibility.

In her approach, real estate is not simply buying or selling a home. It is a decision that must be honest to the person, their possibilities, their future, and their lifestyle.

This is the true value of her work: helping clients not only find real estate, but make decisions they can feel confident about. Because a strong realtor is not only about the market, numbers, and documents. It is about a person who can see opportunity where others see fear – and guide the client toward a decision that truly makes sense.

Sofia Is More Than a Pastry Artist

She is someone who turned her love for desserts into her own brand, team, studio, and recognizable style. Behind her soft aesthetic image stands discipline, practicality, responsibility, and a very clear understanding of quality.

Sofia describes herself simply: she can be romantic among the people closest to her, but in her work today, discipline, control, and results matter most. She is intuitive and attentive to people, while also understanding very clearly that a beautiful business cannot function without a system.

A brief look at Sofia Moroz:

• founder of Brulee Cake Boutique;
• pastry artist with more than 10 years of experience;
• creates cakes, candy bars, and desserts for weddings, celebrations, and events;
• manages the team and most of the studio’s processes;
• featured in American Vogue Magazine;
• speaker at Women’s Identity Dinner and partner of URC initiatives.

Her story is not only about desserts. It is about moving to a new country, opening a studio, building a team, learning to be a leader, and maintaining a high standard even when there is a lot of invisible work behind a beautiful result.

Brulee Cake Boutique: Desserts Built on Details

From the outside, a cake may look like a beautiful image: tiers, flowers, ruffles, decor, color, and perfect shape. But inside that process are recipes, fillings, logistics, deadlines, delivery, on-site setup, and a team that has to work with precision.

Brulee Cake Boutique is not about “just making a cake.” It is a studio where dessert becomes part of the event. Here, everything matters: taste, appearance, decor, presentation, timing, and how safely the cake makes it to the venue.

Brulee Cake Boutique brings together several important elements:

• Custom cakes – from intimate celebrations to large wedding projects.
• Candy bars – complete sweet displays for events.
• Decor and design – details that make a dessert feel special.
• Process organization – schedules, priorities, team coordination, and quality control.
• Premium experience – not just something sweet, but an aesthetic result for the event.

At Brulee Cake Boutique, it is not enough to make a delicious cake. The goal is to create a dessert that fits the event, looks appropriate, arrives safely, and leaves behind a true feeling of celebration.

Decor is exactly what makes you stand out among others.

That is why, in Sofia’s work, a cake is not only about taste. It is about style, time, handmade work, and the many details the client sees in the final result.

Desserts Without Undervaluing the Work

In the pastry industry, the same issue often comes up: a client sees a beautiful image, but does not always understand how many hours of work, people, materials, and experience stand behind that result.

Sofia speaks very honestly about the value of labor. If an idea is complex, if the decor takes many hours, if several people are working on one cake, that has to be reflected in the price. Exclusivity cannot cost the same as a basic order.

Her approach combines both principle and flexibility. She can offer a more realistic option within a client’s budget, but she will not take on work that does not match the time, quality, or common sense required.

Sofia’s approach can be described very simply:

• do not undervalue handmade work;
• do not promise complex decor for an unrealistic budget;
• explain honestly what the price includes;
• adapt the idea to the client’s possibilities;
• maintain quality even in the smallest details.

Quality has its value, and the client should understand what they are paying for.

That is why Brulee Cake Boutique feels close to people who want more than just a cake. They want a thoughtful dessert experience – with taste, aesthetics, service, and respect for the work.

Team, Responsibility, and the Growth of the Brand

oday, Brulee Cake Boutique is not only Sofia, but it is Sofia’s character that defines how the studio works. She manages processes, purchasing, clients, events, decor, licenses, and the team. Her “right hand,” Marta, helps with part of the organizational work, but most decisions and responsibility still go through Sofia.

One of the most difficult stages for her was learning how to be a leader. Not just a person who does her own work well, but someone who can build a team, give feedback delicately, maintain a standard, and remain human at the same time.

Cake delivery is its own area of responsibility. After a stressful situation with a large wedding cake that almost suffered because of road delays and heat, Sofia made an important business decision and purchased a specialized refrigerated van. For her, moments like this are not just problems – they are points of growth.

You always have to step out of your comfort zone.

For Brulee Cake Boutique, growth is not only about more orders. It is about a higher level of service, a stronger team, more complex projects, and the confidence that the brand can maintain its standard.

Women’s Confidence, Women’s Identity Dinner, and URC

At the center of Sofia’s story is a woman building herself across many roles: entrepreneur, mother, wife, leader, creative professional, and someone who wants to be successful not only in business, but in every area of life.

That is why her participation in Women’s Identity Dinner feels very natural. This event brings women together around self-respect, inner strength, elegance, identity, support, and the courage to be themselves.

For Sofia, this evening is not only an opportunity to present her brand. Together with the Brulee team, she is preparing a special custom cake for a charity auction. The cake is planned to be signed by Olia Freimut, and the proceeds from the auction will be donated to charity – supporting children through the Ukrainian Women Association of America and Dim Metelykiv.

I always try to be involved in charity, and I recommend everyone to do the same.

For URC, sharing stories like this is important because they reflect the modern, active, and strong Ukrainian presence in the United States. Through URC Radio, URC Life, URC Events, and partner initiatives, we highlight people and businesses that do more than provide services – they create beauty, trust, mutual support, and real value for the community.

More Than Desserts

Brulee Cake Boutique is an extension of Sofia’s character. Her discipline, intuition, aesthetics, responsibility, attention to detail, and desire to create beauty not only “for photos,” but for a real moment, can all be felt in the brand.

It is not just a boutique dessert studio, but a service that grew from a personal approach: maintaining quality, not being afraid of complex orders, building a team, stepping out of the comfort zone, and creating desserts that become part of a celebration.

At Brulee Cake Boutique, dessert is not just something sweet. It is atmosphere, taste, style, memory, and the opportunity to make an important day even more special.
This is the true value of the brand: helping people create beautiful moments through desserts that carry taste, character, and emotion. Because a strong dessert brand does not begin only with a recipe – it begins with a person who can see beauty in the details and is not afraid to take responsibility for the result.

Tetiana Is More Than an Event Decorator

She is someone who turned her love for beautiful celebrations into her own style, a team, a reputation, and a brand that clients return to again and again.
Her journey began in a very personal way – with her daughter’s first birthday. At that time, Tetiana decided to create the decor with her own hands: her first photo zone, an arch, hundreds of balloons, many hours of work, and a very sincere feeling that this process brought her joy. From that moment, a hobby slowly began turning into a craft, and eventually into a business.

A brief look at Tetiana Nyzhnyk:

• founder of Event Couture;
• event decorator in the Chicago area;
• creates decor for weddings, baby showers, gender reveals, birthdays, and private celebrations;
• works with photo zones, florals, balloons, fabrics, lighting, and personalized details;
• partner of community-driven initiatives, including Women’s Identity Dinner and URC projects.

Her story is not only about decor. It is about the ability to feel an atmosphere before it physically exists – and the desire to give clients more than they expected.

Event Couture: Decor Built on Details

From the outside, decor may look effortless: a beautiful photo zone, harmonious colors, flowers, balloons, lighting, and a finished picture ready for photos. But behind the scenes, it is a serious process involving the concept, budget, space, logistics, installation, and hundreds of small decisions.

Event Couture is not about simply “decorating a room.” It is an approach where every event receives its own mood, logic, and individuality. Tetiana does not like copying directly from Pinterest. For her, it is important to adapt an idea to the person, the space, and the event itself.

Event Couture brings together several important elements:

• Photo zones – aesthetic compositions that become the visual center of an event.
• Balloons and installations – from minimal solutions to large-scale structures.
• Florals and fabrics – details that add depth and atmosphere.
• Personalization – decor that speaks specifically about this person and this celebration.
• Teamwork – installation, breakdown, and processes that remain behind the scenes.

At Event Couture, the goal is not just to make something beautiful. It is to make every guest feel, from the moment they walk in, that this is not just another event – this is your celebration.

I always try to add personalization so people understand that this celebration is truly yours.

Decor Without Copying or Undervaluing the Work

Many people see event decor on social media and think it is easy to recreate. Buy balloons, order materials, watch a YouTube tutorial – and it should all work out. In reality, behind a beautiful result are skills, experience, time, a team, and an understanding of the craft.

For Tetiana, it is important to honestly explain to clients what the price includes. It is not only materials. It is hours of work, training, preparation, installation, breakdown, logistics, and responsibility for the final look.

Her approach carries an important balance: on one side, respect for her own work; on the other, loyalty to the client. She understands that not everyone can afford a large budget, so she always looks for ways to adapt the idea without losing taste.

Tetiana’s approach can be described very simply:

• do not copy other people’s ideas one-to-one;
• do not undervalue handmade and team work;
• explain to the client what the cost includes;
• find solutions for different budgets;
• add a personal signature to every project.

Sometimes I want to give more than what was ordered.

That is why Event Couture feels close to clients who want more than decoration – they want an attentive approach, a human connection, and a result that feels soulful.

A Signature Style and the Growth of the Brand

Today, Event Couture has a recognizable style. Tetiana is still surprised when people can tell from a photo that a project is her work. But that is exactly what a signature style means – when details, colors, composition, and the overall feeling of a space begin to speak the language of the brand.

For Tetiana, growth is not about chasing other companies or trying to prove something to anyone. She does not compare herself to competitors or rush forward just because someone else has already taken the next step. Her pace is gradual, confident, and deeply personal.

There is great strength in that. Event Couture did not grow through aggressive advertising, but through reputation, word of mouth, personal connections, and trust. Tetiana loves people, connects easily, and speaks about her work with sincerity – and that became the foundation of her growth.

If you are truly passionate about what you do, I think any business can grow.

For Event Couture, development is not only about doing more events. It is about taking on more meaningful projects, experimenting, adding personalization, and staying in harmony with herself.

Women’s Initiatives, Women’s Identity Dinner, and URC

At the center of Tetiana’s work is a person and their meaningful celebration. It may be a child’s first birthday, a baby shower, a gender reveal, a wedding, an anniversary, or an intimate family event. But in every case, it is not only about decor – it is about a moment that holds special meaning for someone.

That is why her approach naturally connects with the theme of women’s identity. Tetiana creates not simply beautiful spaces, but environments where emotion, style, individuality, and personal stories become visible.

The partnership with Women’s Identity Dinner is a natural continuation of Event Couture’s values. This event brings women together around self-respect, inner strength, elegance, identity, and support. For a brand that works with atmosphere, beauty, and important life moments, this collaboration feels deeply aligned.

For URC, sharing stories like this is important because they reflect the modern, active, and strong Ukrainian presence in the United States. Through URC Radio, URC Life, URC Events, and partner initiatives, we highlight people and businesses that do more than provide services – they create trust, beauty, a culture of connection, and real value for the community.

More Than Decor

Event Couture is an extension of Tetiana’s character. Her attention to detail, love for people, openness to new ideas, and desire to do more than simply “complete an order” can all be felt in the brand.

It is not just a decor studio, but a service that grew from a personal approach: listening to the client, not being afraid of complex tasks, avoiding direct copies of other people’s ideas, adding a signature style, and creating a space that evokes emotion.

At Event Couture, decor is not just a background for photos. It is atmosphere, memory, the feeling of celebration, and the opportunity to see your event as beautiful, alive, and truly personal.

This is the true value of the brand: helping people create moments they want to remember. Because strong decor does not begin only with materials and colors – it begins with a person who can feel the celebration before it becomes reality.

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An Evening of Meaning and Reflection

What this evening offers goes beyond the format of an event. It brings forward topics that are often discussed superficially, but rarely explored with depth.
Women’s identity does not form instantly – it evolves through experience, challenges, and moments when expectations no longer align with personal truth.
At its core, the evening focuses on:

• Confidence as the foundation of professional growth and leadership
• The etiquette of a confident woman – communication, boundaries, and self-respect
• Self-worth and relationships – how personal values shape the people we choose
• Authenticity in the age of comparison and social media

Together, these themes create a conversation that feels both relevant and necessary in a time when external expectations often overshadow internal clarity.

Dialogue, Experience, and Real Perspective

The structure of the evening is designed to move naturally between listening and participation. Guests will experience a refined dinner, live talks, a panel discussion, and an open Q&A session.
Invited speakers from fields such as business, real estate, beauty, and personal development will share practical insights grounded in real experience. Their perspectives reflect the realities of building careers, navigating personal growth, and making decisions in a modern environment.
The atmosphere remains intimate and focused, allowing each guest to engage not only as a listener, but as part of the conversation.

Olia Freimut – A Voice of Culture and Personal Integrity

The headliner of the evening, Olia Freimut, brings a perspective shaped by years of public work and cultural influence.
Known as one of Ukraine’s most recognizable media figures, she represents a combination of intelligence, discipline, and refinement. Her approach is rooted in clarity, values, and a strong personal position rather than trends or simplified narratives.
Her talk will focus on women’s identity in the modern world – not as a fixed definition, but as an evolving process that requires awareness, confidence, and authenticity.

True confidence is not about proving something to others – it’s about knowing where you stand.

A Space for Connection Within the Community

For many women in Chicago’s Ukrainian community, life today is defined by growth, responsibility, and constant change. Careers are developing, businesses are expanding, and families are being built within a new cultural environment.
At the same time, there is a growing need for spaces where connection goes beyond surface-level interaction. This evening creates an environment where women can exchange perspectives, reflect on their experiences, and build meaningful connections based on shared values and mutual respect.

Looking Ahead

Women’s Identity Dinner with Olia Freimut will take place on April 16 at 6:30 PM at Pella Signature in Chicago.
The event is intentionally designed as an intimate experience, with limited seating to preserve the quality of interaction and dialogue.
It is organized by Ukrainian Roots Community (URC) in collaboration with URC Radio, PWR Media, and ÉSTE Management – organizations focused on creating spaces where community, culture, and modern dialogue come together.
For those seeking a more thoughtful environment and a deeper conversation, this evening offers a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and engage.