Anna Hurko on Leading a WordPress Business from a War Zone

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a woman from Kherson, Ukraine, trying to stay safe while running a WordPress business in the middle of a war. This episode features an interview with Anna Hurko, a Ukrainian currently in Romania due to the war in her homeland. Host Bud welcomes Anna, acknowledging his mispronunciation of her name and discusses her experiences during the war and her current location. Anna shares the difficulties faced by her family in Ukraine, including frequent bomb attacks, and her efforts to stay safe while continuing her work remotely in Romania.Anna details her professional involvement in WordPress, mentioning her position as the CEO of Crocoblock and the development of plugins for dynamic websites. She explains the challenges of preparing for significant events like Black Friday while managing strategic planning and sponsorships for WordCamps. Anna also highlights the active Spanish WordPress community's influence on her and her dedication to learning new languages to connect better with customers worldwide.Throughout the conversation, Anna talks about her personal interests, such as playing the guitar and painting, and her methods for learning languages through immersion and audio courses. Despite her busy schedule and the ongoing war, Anna emphasizes the importance of maintaining hobbies and finding joy in small things, such as being able to sleep through the night without alarms.On a more personal note, Anna reveals her past attempts at finding a serious partner, the difficulties posed by her busy life and geographic mobility, and her high standards influenced by a previous relationship with a Ukrainian diplomat. She also touches upon the personal and professional challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the war, expressing hope for a natural and meaningful connection in the future.The interview concludes with discussions about the possible outcomes Anna envisions for Ukraine post-war, including economic recovery and territorial sovereignty. Bud asks Anna for recommendations on future podcast guests, leading to mentions of prominent figures from the WordPress community. They end the conversation on a positive note, expressing hope to see each other at future WordCamps in Europe or the United States.