local storiesSeptember 2, 2025

Olha Kotsiubailo of Glendale on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Local Stories

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Olha Kotsiubailo . Check out our conversation below.

Hi Olha, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My mornings start quietly. I like to wake up a bit earlier so I don’t have to rush and can have some time just for myself.

The first few minutes are all about stillness, a glass of water, and a short prayer. I thank God for a new day and ask for wisdom, strength, and peace for whatever lies ahead. It’s my way of grounding myself and finding focus before the day begins.

Then I do some light stretching or movement to wake up my body, followed by a simple, unrushed breakfast. I try to avoid checking my phone so that this time stays clean — for myself, for reflection, and for a calm start.

These little things help me feel steady and centered throughout the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Olha Kotsiubailo, and I’m a professional colorist and the founder of two beauty studios — Space26 in Kyiv and Space LA in Los Angeles. I’ve been working in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and my true passion lies in transformation through hair color.

What makes my story unique is that I began my journey in Ukraine, and after the war started, I expanded my work to the United States. Space LA is more than just a salon — it’s a space where every person can feel confident, beautiful, and truly seen.

For me, it’s not just about coloring hair — it’s about creating a look that reflects a client’s personality, lifestyle, and deeper transformation.

Currently, I’m working on developing educational programs for young stylists and on raising quality standards in the salon industry.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
It was the Lord.

He saw my heart, my gifts, my weaknesses, and my path long before I ever took my first step.

When I doubted myself, when I didn’t understand who I was, God already held the full picture of my life. His love wasn’t based on my achievements, my status, or how put-together I looked. He called me His own even when I couldn’t yet speak my calling out loud.

So now, when I look at myself, I don’t just see a person — I see a creation that was in His heart from the very beginning.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the deepest wounds in my life was the war in Ukraine. It wasn’t just the pain of fear, loss, and separation — it was an inner breaking point, when the world I once knew fell apart. I had to leave my home, my familiar life, my beloved work — and start over in a new country.

This wound bled for a long time. But it was in that very pain that God began to speak to my heart in a new way. He showed me that broken doesn’t mean lost. That even in the chaos of war, His peace is still real.

I didn’t heal when things got easier — I began to heal when I believed that God was with me, even there. Every tear became a prayer. Every new day, a step of faith.

Now I know: my wounds are not the end of my story. They are a testimony of how God can raise beauty from ashes.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
I rely most on the truths that don’t come from people, but from the Word of God.

In a world that’s constantly shifting, the Bible has become my source of guidance, clarity, and wisdom. It’s not just a book — it’s counsel, inspiration, and a daily compass.

When I don’t know what to do, I don’t turn to trends or opinions — I turn to God’s wisdom. As it is written: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

And it’s in His ideas that I find peace, direction, and strength I often can’t find in my own.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would immediately stop wasting time on fear, doubt, and trying to be “convenient” or pleasing to others.

Instead of chasing the world’s expectations, I would focus even more on God’s calling — to live by faith, to love sincerely, and to serve where I’m needed.

I would stop postponing kind words, hugs, and prayers for “later.” Life is a gift, and every day matters. As it is written: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Ten years isn’t a lifetime, but it’s enough to live fully — not for a checklist, but for eternity.

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