LocationsA Belarusian entrepreneur challenges traditional gender roles in the automotive industry.
The Road Less Traveled
March 7, 2024
A former nurse, Liubov Kovalchuk runs a tire repair shop in the small town of Khoyniki in the Homiel region of Belarus. When the hospital unit where she had worked for many years was suddenly closed, she found herself out of work. What started as the decision to help her husband manage the freight transport business, became a long journey of learning, challenges, and perseverance in the male dominated automotive industry.
As you enter the town of Khoyniki located close to the border with Ukraine, you might notice a large sign of a tire repair shop. On the vast territory of a former bus park, least you expect to be greeted by a cheerful and radiant woman, Liubov. Under her leadership, the business provides comprehensive maintenance and repair services for heavy duty vehicles: trucks, lorries, rigs, agricultural machinery, and timber carriers.
Amidst heavy trucks and huge tires, Liubov looks particularly petite.
Photo credit: UNDP in Belarus
Previously, this type of service was not available locally, although there are about 500 units of heavy-duty machinery in private, state, and commercial ownership. The local farmers and truck drivers would have to travel all the way to Homiel (100 km) or Minsk (350 km) to service their vehicles. Not only did that lead to increased vehicle downtime and higher costs but also often resulted in injuries, as the locals attempted to do repairs themselves with no appropriate equipment.
The company quickly filled the gap in the automobile maintenance market. The orders were not long in coming also from the neighboring Brahin district, with local organizations and private individuals alike willing to cooperate.
"To be honest, I did not believe at all that it could work out".
Liubov did not see herself becoming an entrepreneur. “It was all a matter of chance, perhaps,” she says humbly. Her career path took an unexpected turn after the sudden closure of the hospital unit where she had worked.
Initially unsure about entering an entirely new profession, she started working alongside her husband who back then already owned a car service station. When she learned about an opportunity to receive a grant for the new business project, she did not think it was possible.
"To be honest, I did not believe at all that it could work out. I was used to treating patients and saving lives as my regular job. But with the help of the local consultant, we have developed a business idea. Something that was really needed in our area”, tells the entrepreneur.
As the woman ventured into the new industry, she faced not only the typical challenges of entrepreneurship but also the unique struggles of a rural town scarred by the aftermath of the Chernobyl Disaster. With half the region uninhabitable due to radioactive fallout, opportunities for economic growth are scarce, leaving many residents grappling with limited prospects to find work or set up a business.
“It is not easy but step by step I am learning.”
Undeterred by these obstacles, the family forged ahead. While her husband Vadim does the repairs, Liubov manages finances, does all the paperwork, and communicates with customers. Her ability to adapt, learn new skills, and navigate challenges reflects her resilience and unwavering determination to provide quality service.
Balancing machine, industrial piston compressor, hydraulic rolling jack. As the woman shows the equipment procured for the company, her dedication to learning the intricacies of the automotive industry and understanding the complex technical details shines through. “I need to understand the equipment and all its technical specifications very well. If I don’t know something I ask my husband. It's difficult but step by step I am learning”, says Liubov.
“There are difficulties, of course. But it’s okay, I can cope.”
Beyond her entrepreneurial role, Liubov is a mother of two children: an adult daughter and an adolescent son. In addition to juggling contracts, meetings with clients, and visits to the local administration or the bank, her daily routine also includes taking care of the household. Nevertheless, Liubov thinks that her past experiences have equipped her with crucial skills. Having worked with patients, she now feels at ease dealing with a high workload or resolving issues with customers.
“I am grateful for what happened in my past life. A lot of it is useful to me now. There are difficulties, of course. But it’s okay, I can cope”, adds Liubov.
The entrepreneur admits it’s exhausting work. Yet, in a town of around 13,000 people, qualified workers that could be hired are scarce. The rural area is severely affected by the outflow of skilled professionals as they leave for big cities or foreign countries to earn a living.
“This is our brainchild”. As Liubov points at trucks awaiting repair, she recalls how her journey started.
Photo credit: UNDP in Belarus
In 2014, Vadim Kovalchuk started the freight transport company and got a truck fleet. With the good transport links to Ukraine and Russia, logistics seemed to be a promising business in the region. Yet, following the border closure, the family had to adapt to the new reality. Back then, Liubov combined her main job with helping her husband to look for truck loads and manage the paperwork. Without a degree in economics, the tasks were not easy to grasp.
“It all came through trial and error. Sometimes I didn’t understand things. Sometimes I cried.”
Unexpectedly, Liubov found more help than she could have hoped for. She is especially grateful to women she worked with.
“A lot of female colleagues helped me without even knowing me”, shares Liubov. “Just on the phone, without seeing each other in real life. It’s amazing. There is female solidarity in the industry”, she adds.
“I didn’t realize there were women who would simply explain me things or guide me through the process without expecting anything in return. Not money, not anything.”
Liubov’s story unfolds as a testament to courage needed to challenge the traditional gender roles, embrace change, and carve out a path where few have tread before. Moreover, it is yet another proof that investing in women benefits entire communities and accelerates local economic growth.
UNDP in Belarus is committed to promoting gender equality and supporting economic empowerment of women. The initiative has been funded within the Support to Local Economic Development at the Local Level in the Republic of Belarus project funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus.