Now Playing: Resilience with Julia Bialetska

Tiny Little Victory: Creating sustainable innovation in the shadow of war

What does it take to build a startup when your world is falling apart?

In this episode of Tiny Little Victories, we meet Julia Bialetska, co-founder and CEO of S.Lab, a Ukrainian company that transforms hemp and mycelium into biodegradable packaging. When the war in Ukraine escalated, Julia had to make the unthinkable decision to relocate both her life and her business to Spain. But instead of pausing, she pressed forward.

Julia shares her extraordinary story of resilience: moving a sustainable startup across borders, managing emotional and logistical chaos, and continuing to innovate under pressure. From early experiments with plant-based materials to gaining traction in a competitive market, her journey is a testament to persistence, vision, and quiet determination.

We talk about:

  • The early days of S.Lab and experimenting with hemp and mycelium

  • What it really takes to move a company during wartime

  • How women in tech are pushing sustainability forward

  • The role Ukrainian entrepreneurs will play in rebuilding a post-war economy

Julia’s story reminds us that even in the most difficult moments, seeds of innovation can grow—and sometimes flourish.

Guest: Julia Bialetska
Company: S.Lab
Follow: LinkedIn | Instagram

Season 4 - New guests. More stories.

Coming Up on Tiny Little Victories

New stories worth hearing are on the horizon. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming soon:

  • Architect (with Annie Hardy, Global AI Architect and Futurist at Cisco)
    Bringing human-centered innovation to the future of technology.
  • Groundbreaker (with Bettina Langemark, CEO of Ward 24/7)
    Using wireless tech to transform patient care and ease nurses’ workloads.
  • Visionary (with Richard Borge, motion graphic designer)
    Turning complex ideas into iconic visuals for global brands and media.
  • Return Flight (with Naos Wilbrink, commercial airline pilot)
    Taking off again with fresh stories and new horizons.

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Season 3 - New guests. More drama.