Principle's Profile

Olga Kostrova was born in Kiev in 1973 to a family that huddled together in a tiny one room apartment. That room doubled as the living room and bedroom. There were 6 people: mother, father, older sister and two grandmothers.

Later Olga mentioned:

"My grandmothers were heroic women. Fleeing from the fascist army, my mother's natural parents left their new-born baby on a doorstep a few hours before they were killed. Two sisters found my mother on the threshold of their house. These women brought up my mother as their own child, in spite of abject poverty and famine. I thank my lucky stars that I grew up in this family with people that lavish care upon each other and gave me the opportunity to understand what is meant by goodness, wisdom and strength."

Her mother says:

"Olga always did what she wanted to do. She was very insistent and achieved everything she desired. She rarely listened to anyone's advice. She discovered her own way and learned first hand. She was an unbelievably bright and charming child. She played a key role in her high school drama theatre, puppet show, and studied ballroom dancing. She was also a member of the junior natural history study group. She participated in many extra curricular activities but it didn't prevent her from graduating high school with excellent marks. She always tried to reach beyond her capacity. And she often did."

Olga found her passion for the arts during childhood but never dreamed of becoming a recognized photographer, costume designer and screenwriter. She just liked to take pictures with her father's camera, dress up her dolls and scratch the letters of alphabet with scissors on brand new furniture.

In 1996, Olga completed her Degree in Economics. At the age of 23, she managed the Marketing department of one of the largest international companies in Europe. At the age of 27 she was offered the position of CEO of a new branch of an international advertising agency. She did not accept it because she had intentions to relocate to North America. By this time, she had gained knowledge and experience in serving clients with the highest standards.

After relocating to Canada, Olga successfully applied this experience in her first self-owned business, Ol Grandeur Fashion House. She started the business in 2001 in an effort to design a high-end women's clothing line (see www.costume-design.artmill.org ).

By 2002, Olga founded Artmill Stock Photo Agency. She made her own photo collection available (www.artmill.org) and continues to successfully serve Fortune 500 companies with their photographic needs.

Later that year, Olga would receive recognition from the largest publishing house in Russia. They offered to publish her first book, a philosophical fairy tail, "Lessons On How To Become A Sorcerer."

Olga has since written eight screenplays in English, a language that she has been speaking for only two years.

In 2003, Olga summarized all her projects by founding the Artmill Creative Group Corporation, a worldwide literary & talent agency. This collaborative group of like-minded artists represents a great number of talents internationally and multi-disciplined artists.

"I really wasn't sure where I was going at that time. The only thing I always knew was that nothing can keep me back from pursuing my dreams. It's never easy to create and be innovative; you will always meet walls and deal with rejection. But the moment always comes if you have a burning desire and passion for making a difference. At the moment, I am fortunate enough to represent the greatest creative minds who use their hearts to shake all of us up, trying to create and provide the world with nourishment for the soul. I think there is only one way to succeed: do the best at whatever you do. Do not deny your calling. Search your talents until you find your passion. Or maybe it will find you first!"