Part #1. American dream journey: the beginning
Our story begins in 2011
Back then, we were an experiential event agency in Kyiv, working hand-in-hand with both Ukrainian and international brands. We were driven by creativity, always pushing the boundaries of what was possible. Then, a pivotal moment changed everything.
We encountered Front Pictures — a multimedia company that introduced us to a whole new world of technological possibilities. It was as if a door had been unlocked, revealing a realm we had never imagined.
Multimedia was no longer just a tool; it was a way to elevate experiences and tell stories in a way that left a lasting impression.
Inspired by this vision, we poured ourselves into crafting high-tech, immersive experiences.
We were convinced they would reshape the future of live events. But the market wasn’t ready to embrace these avant-garde concepts.
For a year, we faced rejection after rejection. It was a tough period, filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Standing at a crossroads, we could have walked away. But deep down, we knew we were onto something special. So, we made a bold decision — one that would change the course of our company’s journey. We took our vision and headed for America, believing that if there was a place ready to embrace this new kind of magic, it would be there.
It wasn’t easy, and the challenges only intensified. But every setback fueled our determination. We weren’t just chasing clients or projects; we were chasing a dream. And that dream was to create experiences that would leave people in awe, that would blur the lines between reality and fantasy, and that would redefine the very concept of live events.
We can’t recall the exact date, but by August 2013, we had planned our departure and discussed our roles in the U.S. This moment became our "birthday" as a new chapter began, and we remember it as if it were yesterday.
We were in Kharkiv — let’s say it was August 23. Our next challenge was finding a distinctive name that would instantly reflect our uniqueness. Inspired by our father’s book of poems, Upside Down World, and with input from English-speaking friends and family, we settled on Freckled Sky.
Another option, “Steel Bagel,” clearly didn’t make the cut!
On October 29, 2013, we took a leap of faith and arrived in Chicago to start anew. Val, Natasha, and Katya, the founders of the company, made this bold move together—Val and Natasha first, while Katya stayed longer in Ukraine to build production processes. The first year tested us on every level—our English was less than basic, we had no knowledge of the American market, no connections, and only $5,000 to our name.
Thankfully, Front Pictures, our partners from Ukraine, supported us with promotional materials and a website. Still, we had to navigate unfamiliar terrain. Most of that year was spent learning English—six days a week, five hours a day—while balancing work and adaptation.
“Natasha took on multiple jobs to support this endeavor, while I focused on building the foundation.
Back then, even writing one email a day was a monumental task for me, and looking back, I’m certain those emails were full of grammatical errors,” as Val recollects.
The turning point came from an unexpected place: our family doctor introduced us to one of his clients.
Despite having almost no prepared video cases and limited English, we set up a meeting.
“I vividly recall struggling to understand which Starbucks to go to — I asked three times, and she had to repeat it three times before I got it right.
It was winter, and I showed up in what I thought was sharp business attire from Men’s Wearhouse, only to find her casually dressed,” Val Syganevich goes on.
That encounter, like many moments in our journey, was humbling but transformative. Through perseverance and adaptability, we learned invaluable lessons that shaped Freckled Sky. Against all odds, we turned adversity into opportunity — and achieved our dreams!
