Ivan Terzi(pictured) moved to the U.S. from Ukraine 10 years ago and chose the path of entrepreneurship. Back home, he was a chief of a sales department at a large company, but in the U.S., he decided to focus entirely on his own business. Now, Ivan runs three successful companies and has plans to grow even more.
What were the biggest challenges he faced entering the world’s largest economy? What lessons has he learned? And how is it going today? In this interview, Ivan shares his story and advice for anyone looking to succeed in the U.S. market.
So, Ivan, where would you say your business journey began?
Haha, I would say I was always an entrepreneur — probably born that way! My first business venture actually started in the third grade. It’s funny to think about now, but it was quite a learning experience at the time.My school had a typography where they printed the local newspaper. One day, some high schoolers were talking about how they’d bought newspapers from the typography and sold them at the local market for a profit.
They invited me in and I decided to give it a try. I bought some newspapers and sold them at double the price. It was a small but consistently successful business, and I kept at it for a few months. Looking back, I think that was my first real taste of entrepreneurship — understanding how to spot an opportunity and take action.
What a great story! How did that translate into your adult life as an entrepreneur?
My real entrepreneurial journey started when I moved to the U.S. about 10 years ago. That was a turning point in my life.
The first business I started in the U.S. was TBR Trade Group LLC, over eight years ago. We specialize in computer hardware, and within the first three years, we achieved an impressive $7 million in revenue. I’m proud to say that major tech companies like Google, Oracle, Amazon, and Microsoft have been among our customers, purchasing from our store multiple times.
The second company I started is HyperCyber, where we provide gaming solutions — custom-build computers. We create gaming PCs and accessories that combine advanced technology with practical design. Our products are built to perform well in competitive gaming, offering both functionality and a bold, innovative design.
And most recently, I founded TeaDeus LLC, a premium tea brand. It’s high-quality loose-leaf tea with a unique twist — it comes pre-sealed directly in cups, making it both convenient and distinctive.
Seems like the U.S. agrees with you! It’s a great decision you made, moving here. How was it — starting so many diverse businesses in the unknown country?
For me, getting started felt surprisingly easy and stress-free, when it came to registering the business. It’s not about the financial challenges of launching a business — those were definitely there. But in terms of the idea and setting things up, it was much simpler than I expected. Even though English isn’t my native language, there was no chaos or confusion. All I needed was a computer, and within a week, my business was registered. I could legally buy and sell goods right away. The process was fast, smooth, and straightforward.
But earning money was a completely different story. It took a long time, with plenty of uncertainty and hope that things would eventually take off. We kept experimenting, trying new approaches, and selling different products. It was risky, exhausting work. I was putting in 12-hour days, and for three years, I didn’t even leave Chicago — no breaks, no time for friends, no travel, just focus. There were times when we were barely scraping by and had to make sacrifices. But the one thing that kept me going was the belief that our effort wouldn’t go to waste.
Are you talking about TBR? So, when did the breakthrough happen?
Yes, it was TBR. By that time we were already present at online marketplaces, making good profit. But what happened in one day felt like an overnight success. It was Cyber Monday. We had started selling a new type of video cards. Black Friday had been pretty uneventful, just another day for us, so we didn’t have high expectations.
But on Monday morning, I woke up, checked my phone, and couldn’t believe it — there were so many orders that I kept scrolling and couldn’t see the end of the list. I immediately called my partner, skipped breakfast, and rushed to the office. We ended up shipping packages non-stop for an entire week. Finally, after three years of hard work, that day became our reality, giving us the opportunity and energy to scale our business.
That’s incredible! So, would you say you haven’t faced any tough moments while building your business in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, not quite. There was one huge setback that I consider the biggest challenge in my business life.
In 2018, our entire business depended on one marketplace, generating 75-80% of our revenue. While on vacation in Florida, I received a devastating email: our account was suspended due to a competitor’s complaint. The platform seized $180,000 and our inventory, refusing to respond or release the funds. With eight employees, salaries to pay, and credit card debt mounting, it felt like the end. My partner was crushed.
But I focused on survival. I asked the team to work in shifts, even when we couldn’t pay them, and we started listing products on other platforms. To our surprise, one of the least promising marketplaces took off, generating 40% of our lost revenue within two months. And in one year, it fully replaced what we had lost.
When we eventually returned to the original marketplace through diversified accounts, we doubled our revenue in less than a year. Despite this, we never got back the goods or money we lost. That crisis forced us to innovate and find untapped potential. Sometimes, the hardest falls are the catalyst for the greatest growth.
What do you think was the main thing that helped you go through that crisis?
I have a skill that serves me well in tough times — I don’t fall into despair. Instead, I focus, become more productive, and think with clarity. It’s something I’ve had since birth, but I truly believe it’s a skill anyone can develop.
You can’t always see the full potential right away, but the important thing is to keep going and keep searching. Don’t lose faith — take action, stay adaptable, and keep moving forward. Often, success is just on the other side of fear.
Those are very inspiring words. What would you say was the main lesson you learned while working in the American market?
I think it’s trust. What I admire most about this market is the emphasis on building strong, lasting relationships. People here value integrity, and once trust is established, it becomes the foundation of every interaction. In our team, we also cultivate a culture of transparency. For example, we make sure everyone understands the reasoning behind major decisions by explaining these decisions clearly. Our top managers stay approachable, regularly sharing company goals, challenges, and growth opportunities, which helps foster trust and collaboration.
This trusting environment has not only strengthened our business relationships but has also taught me to trust in return. It’s a powerful lesson that continues to shape how I approach both my professional and personal connections.
That’s an important takeaway. Given all the experiences you’ve had, what is the most compelling part of being an entrepreneur for you?
I would say the first thing is the visible results. When you set a goal and work towards it, you can actually see the progress and outcomes of your efforts. Along the way, you gain an enormous amount of experience, and that’s something that stays with you for a long time. It’s incredibly rewarding.
Has there been any goal that felt the most rewarding?
Well, one of the most memorable milestones for me was launching our tea business. It was an innovative project that we had been working on for nearly two years, pouring our hearts into every detail.
Seeing people’s reactions during the launch was extremely exciting — watching them try our tea and genuinely enjoy it felt like a validation of all our hard work.
Another highlight was achieving financial goals in my first business, like reaching a $1 million revenue in a single year for the first time. Moments like that remind you that the work you’re doing has real impact and importance.
And what goals are you pursuing now?
If we talk about 2025, I have three main priorities. First, we’re focused on a new computer company. We’ve already invested in technology and hardware and even hired more people to make our growth take off. Second, we’re expanding our video card business and introducing a recycling program for old hardware. This will allow us to hire more people and offer a wider range of products. Lastly, on a personal level, I want to dedicate more time to learning — specifically in business administration, finance, and related fields.
Amazing! It sounds like you’re making great progress. What would you recommend to the people who are just starting on the American market?
Entering the American market can be exciting, but it’s also a minefield if you’re not prepared. The first step is to try — because without taking that leap, you’ll never know what’s possible. But before jumping in, conduct a deep analysis of your niche. Understand the competition, the demand, and the market trends.
If you don’t have experience, hire specialists who do. Build a solid financial model to guide your decisions, because it’s easy to make mistakes. Without proper research, you might end up throwing money down the drain.
The truth is, the chances of succeeding on an idea alone are slim. But when you approach it strategically, your odds increase significantly. After all, the biggest breakthroughs happen when preparation meets opportunity.