By Viktor Andrukhiv, Co-founder of Fibermix, Savex Minerals and PACK FOR BUSINESS
In the fourth year of full-scale war, Ukrainian entrepreneurs are learning to navigate constant turbulence. Energy fluctuations, logistics disruptions, and regional risks have pushed many to diversify. Having multiple businesses means having multiple anchors — different industries provide different business cycles, risks, and opportunities. When one stream slows down, another keeps the system moving.
That’s the essence of diversification: a financial balance that helps maintain momentum, even in a crisis.
One of the most famous examples is Richard Branson. His Virgin Group spans more than 40 companies in over 35 countries, covering sectors from aviation to finance. Branson built a structure where a shared brand and management standards connect dozens of autonomous teams. It’s a model for scaling not just offices — but a philosophy of doing business.
What Kind of Mindset Does a Multi-Business Founder Need?
Running several companies requires a specific type of thinking.First — emotional resilience. When one direction is growing and another is struggling, balance becomes a survival skill.Second — communication agility. Every business has its own rhythm and culture. The ability to speak a common language across teams is critical.Third — discipline and structure. Intuition alone can’t manage a portfolio of companies. You need a clear schedule, accountability, and control systems.And finally — leadership. The owner’s active presence sets the pace. When the team feels leadership energy, it stays aligned and focused.
How It Works in Practice
Today, I manage five companies across different sectors. Over time, I’ve developed a few principles that help me stay focused and keep everything running smoothly.
1. Financial priorities first.
Always know which business is driving profit right now — that’s where your focus should go. It doesn’t mean ignoring the rest; it means allocating attention in proportion to their current performance and potential.
2. Partnership and clear role division.
Each of my ventures has a co-founder responsible for operations. This allows me to concentrate on strategy, growth, key clients, risk management, and new ventures. When roles don’t overlap, chaos doesn’t appear.
3. Management rhythm.
Weekly offline meetings with teams to review progress, risks, and priorities.
Daily short status updates in chats: what’s done, what’s delayed, what needs a decision.
Monthly — financial reviews. Quarterly — priority and resource reassessment.
4. Unified financial framework.
All companies follow the same reporting standards: profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, accounts receivable, margin, and core production metrics. This makes it easy to compare results and respond fast.
5. Cross-support — with limits.
Short-term financial help between companies can happen, but it should remain an exception. When it becomes a habit, it hides deeper problems.
6. Synergy in negotiations.
A diversified portfolio creates scale. One contact often opens several directions for cooperation, and the owner’s reputation becomes a shared asset.
The Main Risks of a Multi-Business Model
– Loss of focus. Too many tasks without a clear priority system lead to inefficiency.
– Financial leaks. Constant cross-subsidizing between businesses creates “black holes” in reporting.
– Team tension. When one company feels less seen, it affects motivation.
– Operational dependency. If autonomy isn’t built, the founder becomes a bottleneck for decisions.
Running multiple companies keeps things exciting. It lets you realize ambitions in different areas and, most importantly, builds resilience through diversification.
But the system only works when it’s built on structure, partnership, and trust.
Regular meetings, unified financial standards, transparent processes, and clear responsibilities help maintain both balance and momentum.
When each business moves independently yet follows shared principles, they stop competing — and start reinforcing one another.
That’s entrepreneurship built to withstand any turbulence.
