Val Narodetsky is a serial entrepreneur who transformed a $7,000 loan into a seven-figure exit, and in this episode, we spoke about how his journey shaped the purpose-driven mission of Hire Odesa. Drawing from his own struggles with hiring top talent, Val launched Hire Odesa to help U.S. businesses connect with the highly skilled, but often overlooked, tech talent in Ukraine. His personal connection to Odesa and his desire to create impact beyond profits are the driving forces behind his venture.

Val shared the lessons he learned while navigating the tough early days of entrepreneurship: "I didn’t have a fancy business plan, just the drive to make something work." This drive led him to master digital marketing, product positioning, and web development. "I became obsessed with learning... those skills became game-changers for me," Val recalled. His story emphasizes the power of persistence, small daily wins, and building strong partnerships that opened doors to new opportunities.

We also discussed the unique advantages of Ukrainian tech talent. Val explained, "Some of the best people I’ve worked with were from Ukraine... they care about the results they bring to the company." He highlighted the region’s strong education system and self-learning culture, which produces "highly skilled engineers who stay on top of the latest technologies." Val believes that Ukraine’s developers, with their deep technical expertise and accountability, offer a "cost-to-quality ratio" that can’t be matched in other markets.

A recurring theme in our conversation was the power of relationships in business. "Being open to learning from others and creating those connections was huge for me," Val noted. This focus on relationships extends to Hire Odesa’s process: they thoroughly vet candidates, ensuring clients are only presented with the top 1% of talent. "We handle the screening ourselves, so by the time our clients see candidates, they’re already top contenders," Val shared, underscoring how Hire Odesa helps businesses avoid the usual hiring headaches.

When it comes to remote work, Val is optimistic about the future: "We’re seeing a continued shift towards companies hiring globally by default." He talked about the rise of specialized remote teams and how businesses are moving away from the traditional 9-to-5 model, instead focusing on results. "Deep work without a pre-set schedule is gaining momentum," he explained, allowing talent from across the world to collaborate without time zone constraints.

Takeaways:

Access to top-tier talent: "We connect U.S. businesses with the top 1% of talent, vetted and ready to deliver results."
Ukrainian tech teams’ competitive edge: "Their work ethic and attention to detail set them apart, offering a cost-to-quality ratio that’s hard to beat."
Remote work trends: "Deep work without a pre-set schedule is gaining momentum," allowing teams to work flexibly and deliver high productivity.
Building relationships and trust: "It’s not just about filling roles; it’s about helping companies grow and creating long-term partnerships."
Leadership in remote environments: "I believe in hiring great talent and giving them the space to excel," balanced with clear expectations and accountability.

If you're ready to scale your business with specialized remote tech teams, Hire Odesa can be your trusted partner in finding the right talent to grow efficiently.