Conversations with Guliya Grand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Guliya Grand

Hi Guliya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to America almost three years ago, and like many immigrants, I faced my first internal crisis. I had no idea what I could do here or how I could grow.

I had experience in many fields, from working at a law firm to sales in the fashion industry. At the same time, for my soul, I had been competing in beauty pageants since I was 18, both in Ukraine and internationally. In one such competition, I made it to the top 5 winners and earned the title of Miss Ambassador at Miss USSR UK, which took place in London in 2019.

I also starred as the lead in a music video for an Armenian singer, which has gained 1.5 million views on YouTube.

Alongside all this, I was always learning. I took courses in permanent makeup, video editing and production, social media development through content creation, and brand visualization.

These skills turned out to be incredibly valuable because my first job in America was as a social media specialist. I created content, managed beauty accounts, developed visuals, directed shoots, styled models, guided them with posing—I was essentially a one-woman creative team.

At the same time, I trained as a haircare specialist, initially working on my own hair due to stress-related hair loss and breakage. This led me to a new path—working as a hair stylist assistant. I absolutely loved this job. I love hair, I love working with clients.

But unfortunately, I didn’t get along with my employer. Not only was I underpaid—below California’s legal minimum wage—but at one point, they even asked me to wash windows. That was never part of my job description, just like many other tasks I was unfairly expected to do. Responsibilities kept piling up, yet the pay didn’t reflect my effort.

At some point, I felt deeply unappreciated. My work wasn’t valued, and I was even told that I wasn’t doing a good enough job. But later, I heard from our clients that they loved my work and only had positive things to say about me.

I am actually grateful to my former boss because she made me realize this job wasn’t for me. Not because I wasn’t good at it—I was. But because I was too bright, too charismatic, too striking for the role she wanted me to play. And I knew I could thrive in something bigger.

That’s when I discovered UGC (User-Generated Content) creation—where you create photo and video content for brands without a boss, working directly with companies. I took my first steps, and they were successful.

My niche? Fashion and beauty.

In just one year, I collaborated with over 50 brands and received amazing feedback on my work.

Now, I’m studying to become a stylist—because I love it. My friends always ask me to help them with their outfits, and I thought, why not turn this into a business? So here begins my next chapter.

I jokingly call this my “star’s journey”, and I know exactly where it will lead me.

Ever since childhood, I loved creating outfits from my grandmother’s wardrobe, and I never lost that passion.

Now, I’ve also decided to compete in a beauty pageant at the end of February. I’ve already attended many red carpet events, and this competition—Miss European Universe—will take place in Los Angeles.

As a stylist, I plan to reshape this city’s fashion scene and bring my unique vision to every person I work with, helping them express the many facets of their personality through clothing.

Because fashion is no longer just about covering your body—it’s a way to showcase your best self to the world.

As a UGC creator, I plan to collaborate with the top brands in the industry—and many of them, I already do.
At last, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be—in my city, in my country, embracing the opportunities that so many have talked about.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s start with this—my journey was anything but easy. I crossed the Mexican border on my own, spent three days there, and arrived in America as soon as I learned that war had broken out in my country and the U.S. had opened its borders.

I saw people who had left their entire lives behind, facing the unknown with fear, yet still moving forward.

I endured workplace devaluation, betrayal from people I trusted, and deep depression. On top of that, I received heartbreaking news about my grandmother’s serious illness—someone I haven’t seen in over three years.

And yet, here I am.

Pricing:

• • Post (feed): $400
• Story (1-3 slides): $250
• Reel (up to 30 seconds): $600
• Carousel (up to 5 images): $600
• Shout-out/mention in a post: $150

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guliya_grand?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr