The Muse: Victoria Loskutova, the Co-Founder and CEO of Olympia
Let's get acquainted!
Hi! I’m Vika, the co-founder and CEO of Olympia, a winning AI team. I love creating and managing cool impactful projects, writing, reading, exploring, and traveling. I’m into radical honesty and spiritual and personal growth. I’m a badass and a journalist. It’s nice to meet you.
I was born curious. As a toddler, I would annoy or scare the shit out of kids by approaching them with my queenly “Hey, let’s be friends!“ right of the bet. They would cry or reach their mommy. And I was like, “Oh, why? I’m just interested in you and your story, damn it!“
Inspiring stories always fueled my growth. If you could do it, it means I can do it too: grow, achieve, overcome, be successful, get up after a hard fall, and learn from failure. That’s why my favorite genre in journalism is interview. I’m obsessed with it. At 18, I was already an editor of a local magazine and a drop-out from the economic institute. I couldn’t count 2+2, but I wrote for the institute newspaper. Its editor-in-chief, a kind lady of senior age, very politely told me back then that I had enrolled in the wrong educational establishment.
I’ve been writing for over a decade ever since. I enrolled in one of the best philological faculty in the country to learn journalism and moved to another city. First, I wrote in one, then two languages when I lived and worked in Ukraine, my homeland. I left to explore the world in 2015 and finally overcame my fear of writing in English as a non-native. Today, I write for Entrepreneur and HackerNoon and have some early articles published on Grit Daily. In 2019, when it was not yet mainstream, I organized and hosted an online conference for digital professionals, Badass Summit. I interviewed 28 speakers across the globe. It was my first entrepreneurial project ever. Even though I experienced massive burnout in the end and wasn’t happy with the result back then, now I’m proud of doing it. Jen Cinsero’s book “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life“ inspired me to organize the event and give it that name.
Further down the line, there were several initiatives under the “badass“ brand, and I gave myself the nickname Queen Badass haha. One of the projects was Badass Bureau - a PR agency for amplifying female and underrepresented executives in media. It was successful for a year, and then I decided to shut it down for several reasons. But my desire to amplify women didn’t end with it. After thinking about the idea and the format, I am launching The Nine Muses.
My aim is to inspire and foster a community where women’s stories spark conversations, connections, and growth. Drawing inspiration from classical Greek muses, we’ll delve into the art of life, sciences, humanities, entrepreneurship, and leadership, bridging the legacy of the muses with the narratives of today’s badass females.
Welcome to The Nine Muses—a community, publication, and newsletter where every story is an inspiration, and every woman is a muse to be celebrated.
The Musements
Musement means a state of thinking. It is proactive, not passive. It requires intentional effort on the part of the person being "mused." It is much more satisfying and fulfilling than mere amusement. It’s stimulating, too, but in this case, in order to get the input, the participant needs to be actively engaged.
Here are my ten musements for you:
Embrace your unique story. Authenticity resonates deeply with others and can transform ordinary encounters into meaningful connections.
Innovation isn't just about new ideas; it's about reimagining the world. Let creativity lead your problem-solving approaches, making the impossible possible.
Like the muses, adapt and evolve. Challenges are opportunities in disguise for growth and learning. Embrace change as a constant companion on your journey.
A single voice can inspire, but a chorus of voices can revolutionize. Build communities where empowerment, support, and collective wisdom pave the way for shared success.
Leadership is an action, not a title. Show up, lead with empathy, and set a benchmark for others. Your actions can light the path for future generations.
True wisdom comes from understanding diverse perspectives. Listen deeply—not just to respond but to comprehend. Every story holds a lesson waiting to be learned.
Let your inquisitive nature guide you. Curiosity opens doors to new knowledge, connections, and possibilities. Ask questions, seek answers, and always aim to discover more.
Like the muses, blend the arts, sciences, and humanities in your approach. Find harmony between passion and pragmatism, intuition, and analysis.
Knowledge is not just power—it's empowerment. Share your insights, mentor others, and create platforms where learning becomes an accessible tool for all.
No achievement is too small. Celebrate your milestones and those of others. Each success is a step forward, a story of perseverance, and a beacon of inspiration.
Learned so much about your badassery! Love all that you are creating.