SANTO DOMINGO – Anna Gladysheva's story began to be rewritten when she felt the need to move forward. Starting her own business wasn't a carefully planned endeavor; rather, she describes it as an "honest reaction" to a moment that "demanded more from her than she had."
This is how the CEO and founder of Arichy Real Estate described it when recalling the moment she took her first step as an entrepreneur, a period in which she had neither resources nor a network of contacts. However, she possessed one of the most valuable elements: inner clarity.
During the conversation, she recalled a phrase that had stayed with her and given meaning to the purpose of her actions, even amidst difficulties, doubts, and fears: Ships are safe in port, but they are not built for that .
“That phrase anchored me and propelled me forward at the same time. It reminded me that I didn’t come here to stay in the safe zone. I came to build, to move forward, and to transform. It taught me that the greatest achievements are not where everything is predictable, but where one dares to venture beyond,” he said.
Here in the Dominican Republic, her path began to take shape as she sought her first personal investment. At that time, clients, brokers , and even strangers pointed out her potential to work in the real estate sector, thanks to her skills as a multilingual translator, having graduated in Russia—her native country—with a degree in Linguistics and Translation.
Although at first he took those suggestions from a distance, over time he recognized them as a calling that he decided to embrace with passion and dedication.
“I soon realized that my skills as a translator were valuable in an international market like Punta Cana. My experience as a university professor and cross-cultural interpreter helped me to read between the lines, build trust, and create real bridges,” she commented.
Gladysheva, certified in real estate in both the Dominican Republic and the United States, made her first decision in the market by accepting a job offer at a local real estate agency. There, she dedicated herself professionally, achieving outstanding results. But she revealed that this performance led to her being fired after "exceeding the expectations of the position.".
That experience taught her a valuable lesson that would soon become a driving force for her growth: she understood that she couldn't continue developing under a borrowed roof. But that wasn't all that motivated her. Her firstborn, Igor, who was less than a year old, reminded her that she wasn't just acting for herself, but also for and because of him.
Today, his real estate agency, with 17 years of experience, has accumulated several distinctions, including "Best Real Estate Company in the Caribbean 2025 at the LAQI Impact Summit ," held in El Salvador.
He attributes part of his success to a combination of factors: relationships cultivated over time, the discipline to keep learning, the humility to listen before responding, as well as perseverance, preparation, and character.
Over time, he identified that his greatest success was taking a leap into luxury real estate development in the country, where they not only build structures, but also seek to leave a permanent mark, becoming one of the most exciting facets of his career.
Anna, who is a member of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI), stated that, when traveling any path as an entrepreneur, her backpack must always contain love for people, the support of her family, and the knowledge accumulated over the years.
“They are my anchors in uncertain times and also my wings when it’s time to move forward. Without human connection, without roots or continuous training, nothing lasts for long,” he explained.
She advises every woman who decides to start a business not to minimize her dreams or wait for anyone's permission to achieve them.
“Cultivate your emotional intelligence, educate yourselves professionally, financially, and personally. Surround yourselves with people who don't ask you to shrink to fit in. And above all, never stop learning: knowledge not only empowers, it also protects,” she stated.
Content originally published in the second edition of Mujer de Concreto.
