We recently connected with Viktoria Kysil and have shared our conversation below.
Viktoria, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
I’ve been in the nail industry for 19 years, and the key to avoiding burnout has always been my constant drive to create something new and to stay passionate about my work. I started as a nail technician, but I always dreamed of becoming an educator—teaching is in my blood. My parents, grandparents—all were teachers, so it felt like a natural path. In 2010, I opened my own school, the Viola International Nail Academy, which became a place not only to educate others but to continue growing myself. I regularly study new techniques, follow trends, and invest in professional development.
As a business owner, I believe it’s essential to lead by example—to innovate, to do what others don’t, and to always stay ahead. In 2014, I began organizing championships, and shortly after, I became an international judge, first in Bologna, Italy. I now conduct trainings across Europe and the USA and serve as a brand technologist for multiple companies.
One of my proudest achievements is founding the Global Talent Beauty Cup, a registered trademark in the UK. This competition has already been successfully held at major exhibitions like America’s Beauty Show in Chicago and is expanding to Los Angeles, London, and beyond. I also registered IBATAJ—the International Beauty Association of Trainers and Judges—where I serve as President.
What truly keeps me from burning out is my love for what I do and my mission to help others grow. Creating new projects, staying on trend, and supporting professionals worldwide energizes me. When you genuinely love your profession and use your talents to uplift others, burnout doesn’t stand a chance.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Thank you for this opportunity to share my journey.
My story in the beauty industry began almost two decades ago, rooted in a deep love for creativity and precision. Although I hold a Master’s degree in Computer-Integrated Technologies, I discovered my true passion during my university years when I got my first nail extensions. That simple beauty treatment inspired me to pursue nail artistry, and soon after, I began working as a technician. Despite initial skepticism from my family—many of whom were educators—I followed my heart.
That educator spirit, however, never left me. In 2010, I founded Viola International Nail Academy instead of taking a honeymoon after my wedding. Since then, I have trained thousands of professionals in Ukraine and abroad, developed global courses, and taught in over 10 countries. I also became a certified international judge, earning recognition at top-tier events like the World Championship OMC HairWorld.
In 2014, I began organizing professional beauty competitions, blending my love of education with my mission to raise global industry standards. Since then, I’ve remained actively involved as a judge in national and international championships, bringing my expertise to events across Europe and the USA.
I continue to offer individual training sessions—both offline and online—and specialized championship preparation. I take pride in mentoring beauty professionals and nurturing true champions. I’ve had the honor of coaching Ukraine’s national competition team, and under my guidance, they have won more than 400 medals at national and international championships, including 7 Grand Prix Cups and 6 “Best Team” trophies.
One of my proudest professional achievements is the founding of the Global Talent Beauty Cup (GTBCup), an international competition brand officially registered in the UK. GTBCup celebrates excellence in nail artistry, permanent makeup, lashes, and brows. We successfully launched the competition at the America’s Beauty Show in Chicago and are expanding to Los Angeles, London, and other global hubs. As founder and chief judge, I am committed to creating a platform where the world’s best talents can be recognized and rewarded.
To further elevate education and judging standards in the beauty industry, I also founded and serve as President of IBATAJ—the International Beauty Association of Trainers and Judges. This association is dedicated to supporting trainers and judges with certification, mentorship, and professional development.
What drives me every day is helping others succeed—watching my students grow into confident professionals and world champions. I believe in leading by example, staying on trend, innovating constantly, and sharing my knowledge to uplift the global beauty community. For me, this is not just a career—it’s a lifelong mission built on passion, purpose, and the joy of helping others thrive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities have been absolutely essential in my journey: resilience, a passion for lifelong learning, and leadership.
Resilience – Building a career in the beauty industry, especially during times of personal and national adversity, requires mental strength and emotional endurance. From overcoming skepticism from my own family to rebuilding my career after relocating due to the war in Ukraine, resilience helped me turn challenges into opportunities.
Advice: Don’t let setbacks define you. Stay focused on your goals, and remember that every obstacle is a chance to grow stronger and wiser.
Lifelong Learning – The beauty industry evolves constantly, and staying relevant means never stopping your education. I’ve spent my entire career learning new techniques, exploring global trends, and improving my skills—even after becoming an educator myself.
Advice: Be a student forever. Attend workshops, take online courses, learn from industry leaders. The more you know, the more confident and creative you’ll become.
Leadership – From founding Viola Nail Academy to leading Ukraine’s national competition team and organizing Global Talent Beauty Cup competition, leadership has allowed me to inspire others and create meaningful impact. True leadership is not about control—it’s about service, responsibility, and vision.
Advice: Start by leading yourself—stay disciplined, take initiative, and commit to high standards. Then, focus on helping others grow. A great leader lifts everyone around them.
For those just starting their journey: be brave, be curious, and be kind—to yourself and to others. This industry is full of possibility, and your success will come not only from your hands, but from your heart and mindset.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely—yes, we are actively looking to collaborate and grow our global beauty community.
As we expand the Global Talent Beauty Cup (GTBCup), we’re seeking partners, organizers, and ambassadors in different U.S. states and around the world. Our goal is to build a powerful, professional, and creative network of beauty leaders who are passionate about raising industry standards and showcasing talent on an international stage.
We welcome collaboration with:
Local event organizers who want to host GTBCup regional competitions or qualifiers in their city or state.
Beauty schools and academies looking to give their students and trainers global visibility.
Industry brands and sponsors who want to support a premium-level championship and connect with top-tier professionals.
Bloggers, influencers, and beauty content creators who are passionate about nails, lashes, PMU, and brows—and want to grow their platform by partnering with an international competition brand.
If you’re a professional who believes in education, artistry, and empowerment, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s build something impactful together.
You can connect with us through our e-mail gtbcup@gmail.com or on Instagram at @gtbcup. We’re excited to welcome passionate collaborators who want to grow with us and be part of something meaningful in the beauty industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://main.gtbcup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtbcup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violaprofi1
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