I used to sleep on a flea infested sofa – now I’m a self-made millionaire thanks to life-changing move
A WOMAN who used to snooze on a flea-infested sofa now sleeps like a baby in her beachfront pad knowing she has £14million in the bank.
Victoria Unikel, 45, miraculously became a self-made millionaire after leaving the cramped and crumbling flat her relatives shared with three other families.
6
6
6
She was desperate to escape the bleak reality of life in communist-controlled Russia, where she spent her days hungry and cold.
The businesswoman claims her father was locked up for political reasons, while her grandparents were exiled to Siberia as enemies of the state.
Victoria recalled how her remaining relatives were walking on eggshells as the threat of imprisonment loomed over their heads.
But after spreading her wings and going solo, the media mogul managed to redefine her doomed fate.
Discussing her traumatic childhood, she told Jam Prime: “I remember watching political broadcasts on TV that promised so many things to people like my family but our reality was very different.
“The walls of our flat had cracks in them, letting in freezing wind in the winter.
“Most of the time I was hungry and surrounded by stressed-out adults who were dealing with the constant threat of imprisonment for stepping out of line or criticizing the government.
“I’d wake up every day with red spots from flea bites and there were cockroaches under the furniture.
“There were no holidays and no free time, my only escape was music.”
It was a tough time for young Victoria – who played the cello, pursued a career in classical music and gained a merit-based scholarship to a prestigious school.
She then began to branch off into modelling and channelled her creativity into artwork, allowing her to slowly start building up her own finances.
But she just couldn’t shake the feeling she was destined for bigger things and better places – despite being reluctant to leave her family.
The entrepreneur eventually took the plunge in 2009 and left Russia for good, moving to Germany and later California.
Victoria explained: “I always felt uncomfortable with the politics at home, but I couldn’t leave my family.
“After my last living relative, my mother, passed away, I decided to move away from Russia.
“I lost everything and had to start again.”
FRESH START
She later found the clean slate she had been yearning for when she met her Ukrainian-born husband, Gene Avakyan, 51.
The power couple decided to put their heads together and utilise Victoria’s unique experience and business savvy to create their own entertainment company.
Despite having next to no money, they launched their joint venture, VUGA Media Group, in 2018.
And the risk paid off – as the organisation now runs 70 outlets, as well as TV channels, and boasts an audience of 10million people.
Victoria said: “We founded the company with minimal investment. It was truly nothing, and we built this business from the ground up.”
The inspiring Russian then decided to seize the momentum of her fresh start by facing her childhood trauma head-on.
She went back to her artistic roots to design her own comic book, called The Exorcist, to “fight back” against her demons.
Her Marvel-style superhero character fights against dictators across space and time – as the psychological scars of life in the Soviet Union are hard to forget.
SUPERWOMAN
Victoria said: “Although I had left Russia, I still had nightmares of the evils I had witnessed growing up.
“So I decided to create a strong female justice fighter called The Exorcist – because if I couldn’t see out my dreams to fight my demons and win in the real world, then she would do it for me.
“Now I say she is my alter ego. I love to dress as The Exorcist and wear her costume to ComicCon and fundraising events.”
The award-winning artist and producer published her work on the digital platform ComiXology, as well as releasing a series of NFTs.
It proved a resounding success with comic book fans, and work is now underway to turn it into a motion picture adaption and graphic novel.
It seems there is no limit to Victoria’s wheelhouse, while her incredible rags-to-riches tale has inspired thousands of people.
The businesswoman now lives in a stunning 4,000 sq ft beachfront condo with her beloved hubby Gene and their cat.
She added: “I truly believe that if we all make a conscious effort to choose good over evil in our own lives, it will spill over to the world around us.
“Together we can bring about positive change. I am always hungry for more and am excited for what the future will bring for my business.”
6
6
6
