The comfort of home is felt in the details: in materials that are pleasant to the touch, in carefully chosen colors and in the things that make every day more beautiful and cozier. Out of care and passion for comfort, the Victoria brand was born – a family business founded by young entrepreneurs Victoria and Serghei Malenchi, Microinvest clients for almost 10 years. A company started with hard work, trust and a strong desire to grow.
In this interview, Victoria tells us about the beginnings of the business, what it is like to build a company together with family, the role of online promotion and the experience of collaborating with Microinvest, which has supported the development of the business over the years.
How did the story of your business begin and how did you come up with the idea of creating home textiles?
It all started during my maternity leave, when I kept thinking more and more often about what I could do next. Together with my husband, we had many ideas, some bolder, others simpler, but we knew one thing for sure: we did not want to stand still. At first, we tried to create items for newborns. Along the way, however, we felt that it was not exactly our direction. As we continued searching, we came to home textiles, a field that was closer to our hearts. We started modestly, with a spot at the market, where we sold items made by us. That is where we learned to listen to people and understand what they were truly looking for. With a lot of work and trust, we grew step by step, and in 2014 our store opened its doors in the center of the capital, where we continue to operate to this day.
What can clients find in the Victoria store?
In our store, you can find almost everything related to home textiles: from pillowcases, bed linen, blankets and bedspreads to duvets, thick winter pillows, bath towels, sauna towels, kitchen towels and tablecloths. We always try to offer beautiful, high-quality products suited to different tastes. That is why we often attend exhibitions, including in Turkey, where we look for good materials, new models and ideas that inspire us. We want to always bring something new, something that will delight our clients. Even now, we are waiting for a few new arrivals and, I admit, I can hardly wait to show them to everyone.
Who are your clients and for what occasions do they most often choose home textiles?
Most often, people come to us when they are looking for a beautiful and useful gift. In Moldova, it has already become a tradition to give home textiles as gifts for weddings, baptisms, anniversaries or other important family events. It happens less often that someone comes in and says: “I want to buy something beautiful for myself.” Very often, we choose better, higher-quality things for others, while for ourselves we say: “It’s fine, I’ll keep using what I already have.” We are trying, little by little, to change this perception. Home textiles are not only for gifts. They are things we use every day, things that bring comfort and beauty into our homes, and every person deserves to enjoy them.
Victoria, what should we pay attention to when choosing home textiles?
I recommend clients pay attention to the composition of the material and the stitching, because these details say a lot about the product. The season also matters: for winter, people more often choose warmer materials, such as flannelette, flannel or denser cotton, while for summer, lighter and breathable materials are more suitable, such as cotton, satin or muslin. We always consult our clients so that we can find the best choice together: a product that is practical, lasts over time and, of course, pleases the eye every time you see it at home.
You are very active on social media. Do you feel that this makes a difference for the business? Do you think businesses in Moldova should pay more attention to their online presence?
We see a huge difference. A business that is active on social media attracts attention more easily, and people start to know the brand, follow it and trust it. Today, clients do not always want to spend time coming physically to the store just to see what we have. Very often, they see a model in a video, write to us and order it directly. We deliver products both throughout Moldova and abroad, and social media helps us a lot in getting closer to people. That is why I confidently recommend entrepreneurs not to ignore online platforms. Yes, it takes work, but it is worth it.
You have a family business and work together with your husband. How did you divide the responsibilities and how easy is it to build something together?
We built this business together from the very beginning, with many attempts, mistakes and lessons learned along the way. For us, the fact that it is a family business was not a burden, but rather a source of support. I know I can rely on Serghei, and that matters a lot. Sometimes, when I have doubts, he is the one who says: “We move forward,” and gives me courage. I am more involved in sales, because I like talking to people, listening to them and understanding their needs. Serghei takes care of the financial side and logistics. I think that, over time, we found our balance: each of us does what we enjoy and what we know how to do best.
How did the collaboration with Microinvest begin and what do you appreciate most in this partnership?
We have been collaborating with Microinvest for almost 10 years. For us, what mattered most was the attitude and the support at the right time. From the very beginning, we felt that we were listened to, understood and treated with trust. Microinvest has been by our side both in better times and in more complicated moments, and that matters a lot for an entrepreneur. And, of course, it is very important that things are solved quickly. If I call the expert and say: “We need this urgently,” I know that by the evening the money can already be in the account. We do not have to prepare entire folders of documents and all kinds of paperwork. For us, it is very convenient, transparent and responsible at the same time, because we can focus on our own processes, on our business, not on extra steps and bureaucracy. We are happy to grow together with Microinvest and develop our business with confidence.
*Microinvest is the only financial organization in Moldova that holds the international GOLD certification in client protection (according to the Cerise+SPTF Client Protection standards and methodology). This reflects a responsible and transparent lending process, fair financing, and a constructive approach to every request.
