Irina Dorko is a member of a generation that is breaking the rules of conventional wisdom and entrepreneurship. Dorko is what some affectionately call a millennial. She is a successful blogger as well as a fashion and fitness entrepreneur.
It is Dorko’s keen eye on fashion and fitness that has made her voice resonate with many of her readers. And it is that special voice that she lends to a recent interview where she showed a side rarely exposed.
- What was your best/favorite subject in school?
I’ve always been a fan of art and music. It was a love for the arts and working on my creative side which led me down the path I’ve gone down today.
- What was your first job?
This is going back so many years now. I worked at a pet store when I was 16 years old. I’m an animal love so it was a great first job for me. I realized the importance of hard work and doing something that you “love” isn’t always easy. It was more of a challenge than I anticipated!
- Where and how did you first get into the industry you currently work in?
Fashion came pretty naturally to me because I’ve always had an interest in style, design, patterns, and materials. Blogging and promoting fashion culture online is something I’ve been working on over the past five years as Instagram became more popular and more awareness and attention has been brought to the fashion scene.
- How have those jobs prepared you for what you do now?
I’ve learned the importance of hard work, getting out of my comfort zone, and trying new things with interesting people. In fashion and online, everyone is a “character” so my previous work experiences have allowed me to be more perceptive about people, in general.
- Describe the best day of work you’ve ever had.
Any day where I’ve received recognition from a boss, colleague, or client is a good day! It’s the little things like that that reassure me that I’m doing what I should be doing and making the world a better place.
- How do you keep yourself motivated?
I exercise daily and make sure to take part in activities which are just work related. Additionally, doing yoga or going for a long run usually gives me the energy to keep producing a fresh perspective when it comes to creativity. It’s like a charge for the creative soul!
- What kind of business ideas excite you most?
Any idea where someone tells me “that can’t be done” or “you’re crazy” are the most exciting ideas to get behind. Usually, those ideas are the most fun and come with the biggest rewards.
- Have you ever tried any unorthodox techniques to attract attention to your business?
Not really in comparison to what I’ve seen other people in the fashion world do to get attention.
- What personal achievement are you most proud of?
Following my dreams and not listening to the comments of others! Basically, I was in a position where friends and family had “decided” my life and that’s not what I wanted. Having the courage to persist on my own is what I’m most proud of.
- What wisdom you would have liked to share with yourself when you first started out?
Keep working hard and good things will come! When I first started I was plagued with self-doubt and couldn’t see the future in front of me. Now, it’s much easier because I’m older and wiser. There were many times where I wanted to quit and give up because of what other people thought of me. Best advice I would give myself then would be not to be concerned with the thoughts and feelings of others!