Durability, environmental friendliness, functionality and style are all about «HOYDA» TM! You have probably at least once walked with your children or grandchildren on the sports or children’s playgrounds of this Ukrainian manufacturer with a world name. Today we are happy to introduce you to the co-founder of the brand — Olha KILYOVA. Read more about the path to success and the challenges of war!

– Mrs. Olha, where were you born? Who did you study for?
– I am Ukrainian, but I was born in Kazakhstan. My parents were among the first who cultivated virgin lands. We had a big family, and I was the youngest – the fifth child. Unfortunately, my mum and dad are no longer with us.
When I arrived in Dnipro, I planned to enter DNU to study economics. I was already on my way to submit documents when I accidentally met a guy who showed me the way to the admissions office. He asked me about my choice and noted that there is a big competition for economics. Suddenly, I saw an announcement, written in red marker, about recruitment for a new specialty – sociology. The exams coincided with those for which I was already preparing. That’s how I got into the first set of sociology students, which I don’t regret at all.
– What was your first job?
– In my second year of study, I started working because I needed money. I got a job as a manager at the “Table and Chair” store, which is now quite famous in Dnipro. Back then, it was a small company called “Furniture-Trade”, and the office was located in an ordinary three-room apartment that belonged to the owner’s grandmother.
I carried catalogues in my bag, went around offices with them and offered furniture. I was quite successful at this. I remember earning $4 on my first day at work. I immediately exchanged half of them for hryvnias and bought food for a week: some cheese, butter, two lemons and some sausages.
– Where did you meet your husband?
– During my teaching practice, I gave lectures on conflict studies to junior students at the university. My future husband was among the students. It so happened that I am still “lecturing” him to this day (laughs – ed.).
– How did you come up with the idea to set up your business?
– When my daughter was born, we went to visit my husband’s great-grandmother in Yaroslavl. It was there that I first saw a playground that inspired me.
When I returned, I suggested that my employer launch a new production area. I wanted to develop my career, but received an uncertain answer. At that time, I was not just a manager, but also a designer with a large network of contacts. One of the clients for whom I was designing interiors supported my idea and we started implementing it together.
At first, we made an advert and tried to convince potential customers that playgrounds are a new product with prospects. However, everyone only admired the idea, but no one was in a hurry to invest.
Our first playground appeared in 2001 in the village of Cherkaske. The customer gave us two weeks to complete the project and allocated UAH 9,500, which was barely enough for materials. We worked from scratch, but with faith in the future. By the way, this playground near the Officers’ House still stands today.
In Dnipro, the situation was more complicated. The construction estimates did not include any costs for playgrounds at all. We were supported by the then mayor Ivan Kulichenko, thanks to which it was possible for the first time to install five full-fledged playgrounds at the expense of the city budget.
– Why exactly «HOYDA»?
– While rocking my youngest son, I recited a poem:
“Hoyda, hoyda-da, on the playgrounds game,
Children swaying like bright flowers!”
This is where the idea to name our brand came from.
– Which project are you most proud of?
– Probably the largest and most ambitious project was the mobile playground near the President’s Office, which we presented in 2021 on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence. This playground was created based on the paintings of Maria Prymachenko. Many designers took part in its development. The artist worked in the primitivism technique, and it was a challenge to translate her works into three-dimensional objects. But we succeeded!
– «HOYDA» is known far beyond the borders of Ukraine! What is the geography of the company’s orders?
– Yes, it is true. We install playgrounds and sports facilities all over the world. Our products are exported to 28 countries. However, it has become more difficult now because of the war: many companies do not want to sign contracts with a country at war. In addition, we have lost customers from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, as the delivery logistics went through our “neighbours”.
– What difficulties has your production experienced since the beginning of the full-scale invasion?
– There were many obstacles. Our team was significantly reduced: on the first day of the invasion, many employees left for the front, including the production manager. Unfortunately, some of them will never come back…
On 24 February 2022, we processed all the metal we had at our enterprise into anti-tank hedgehogs, both large and small. They were exported to the Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv directions. Later, we began to manufacture “cats” – special metal demining equipment.
As for commercial orders, we were saved by exports. However, customers were afraid to make prepayments, so we fulfilled orders at our own expense, receiving payment only at the border for the finished product.
– Are children’s and sports grounds relevant in times of war?
– Childhood cannot be put on hold. A playground is a place where children find their first friends and build character.
From 2023, the number of orders began to increase. The first to contact us were IDPs from Mariupol, for whom we set up several playgrounds near their temporary housing.
– What are the main priorities of your company?
– The concept of «HOYDA» is to create high-quality and safe play equipment for children, which includes various elements and designs. A team of professionals is working on it: managers, designers, constructors.
We are proud to offer a wide range of children’s, sports, inclusive play equipment, interactive panels, musical instruments, as well as dog training elements, outdoor furniture and landscaping.
Once every two years, Germany hosts one of the largest exhibitions of gaming equipment in the world. We were the first Ukrainian representatives to take part in it in 2010. Last year, despite all the difficulties, we managed to demonstrate our products again. The reaction of the participants was enthusiastic.
– What aspiration do you step into the future with?
– I really want Ukrainians to live under a peaceful sky and plan their lives for years ahead, as they do in Europe. After all, it is impossible to implement a high-quality and large-scale project in a short time.
So let our dreams “swing” more and more strongly for the Universe to hear them, and they will definitely come true!