Hello and Welcome to OdessaFX! Pleased to meet you, my name is Mark, please make yourself at home. Good, you're already sitting. I'd ask if you come up with any additional questions later, to please let me know so I can answer them in detail for you. So, what would you like to know about us?

Hi Mark, OdessaFX doesn't seem to be a tourist or rental agency, but your site does talk about renting, so what is it you and OdessaFX exactly do?

You are right, OdessaFX is not a tourist or rental agency. In simple terms, we help others wanting to live in Odessa and Ukraine on an extended basis. This includes helping you find a comfortable, affordable long-term apartment; helping arrange transportation; providing translator support; contingency planning; helping you connect with other expatriates and other services to help you feel confident and at home living here. One of the biggest challenges for someone arriving and not speaking Russian is finding a long-term apartment. That's not the only challenge, but it is the first hurdle to cross.

What do you mean, can you elaborate a little more about long-term apartments?

Sure. As you probably know, Odessa is known as a tourist and resort city, as well as being an important business center. Odessa has an entrenched tourist economy, much more expensive than its indigenous (regular) economy. Where tourist apartments begin at $40 a night and cap around $130 a night; comparable apartments through a long-term lease begin around $450 a month and cap out around $1300 a month. So, our effort is directed to navigating you through the tourist economy as quickly and conveniently as possible.

Okay, I know other materials on your web site go into greater depth, can I ask about your qualifications?

There's two of us directly associated with OdessaFX at this point, myself and Lyuda. Lyuda is a Russian-English translator and tutor. She was and is my backbone for getting things done, she knows Odessa very well and also runs a small business near Vinnitsa. Lyuda is a great people person, friendly, charming and helpful. As many of our friends are expatriates, she is comfortable around foreigners and has a greater appreciation for their interests, as to what is and is not acceptable. We also work with licensed, reliable companies best at what they do and before long we should have some information available for them, too.

My qualifications extend from specializing in logistical and operational support with considerable lead team experience. Lead teams are usually first on the ground to set up a work site or project for follow-on personnel. I've worked mainly in new companies in new industries like Umen Electronics (92-94); Continental Cablesion/Primestar (94-98); CyberCraft Corporation (96-01); Amazon.com (01-04). I finished a 16 month contract in Iraq providing logistical support for LSI/EG&G ending as promotions coordinator and editor of the company newsletter in addition to other administrative and HR support functions. Having lived in Odessa since November 1, 2005, I know Odessa very well.

Interesting, why did you choose Ukraine?

A quick synopsis to an otherwise long answer...Ukraine offers a unique combination of opportunities and challenges in part because it is strategically situated between Western Europe, Russia and the Middle East. Ukraine can be likened to a major crossroads to three major regions which are still in the process of connecting. It may take them a while to connect and it is interesting to me to contribute to that process, if even in a small way.

Now, it looks like you (OdessaFX) are new to this business?

Yes, a good point. Some of the challenges of Odessa are not conducive to jumping in and going full-bore with a new business. While I came here with some plans, I learned early on that it would be a good idea to observe and analyze things a little closer. After two years of observation, Ukraine overcame my uncertainties - saw where my ideas were viable and not viable, and I decided to move forward with what is now OdessaFX. Effort started on December 10, 2007. Development and licensing processes are expected to be complete before the end of February, along with a series of tests to ensure we are ready to do business. Being new is a good thing in that it creates options that did not exist previously for others desiring to come here.

Quickly, what are your recommendations to people considering a move to Ukraine?

Before moving here to live on a long-term basis, do your research, ask questions, and think about it carefully. When you come bring a little extra flexibility, a little extra patience, and do your best to carry exact change. While you are here approach everything gradually and incrementally, especially in matters of business.

Very good, Mark - do you have any last word that you might say to someone considering OdessaFX?

Yes, realistically - Ukraine is not for everyone so the number one thing I can help you with is answering your questions. The greatest obstacle two years ago about coming to Ukraine was finding any accurate and up to date information about it. My living here, if nothing else, can be a resource to help you find out what you need and if it is your interest, to help with elements of planning. In that, I encourage you to feel free to contact me anytime with any questions you might have. There's no obligations there and I'm not going to try to hard sell you on anything.