How Kateryna Odarchenko Scaled SIC Group to $1M in Just 2 Years
Find out how Kateryna Odarchenko built SIC Group into a global consulting powerhouse, reaching $1M revenue in just two years. Her journey shows the power of deep client relationships, international reach, and staying committed to a mission beyond profit.
My name is Kateryna Odarchenko, and I am the founder of SIC Group — an international consulting structure that operates across the United States, the European Union, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. We specialize in three main areas: election organization, political consulting, and government relations with international media outreach.
Over the past decade, SIC Group has supported some of the largest electoral campaigns in these regions, working with U.S. Republicans, the former President of Kazakhstan, the Prime Minister of Ukraine, and leading Israeli parties such as Yisrael Beiteinu.
Why I Started SIC Group
I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs — my father was first in real estate development and later entered politics, supporting pro-Western political forces in Ukraine. This gave me early exposure to both business and politics.
I pursued my studies both in Ukraine and in the United States to bring the most effective and modern political technologies into practice. My motivation has always been to combine professional consulting with strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.
My Background Before Starting Out
Yes. Before launching SIC Group, I was directly involved in politics, advising local candidates and parties. My background in political management and communications helped me design strategies that could be scaled across different countries.
Landing the First Clients
Our first clients were local politicians in Ukraine, including candidates for the Kyiv City Council. We helped elect representatives from parties such as Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) and the party of the well-known boxer Vitali Klitschko.
From there, we expanded to members of the Ukrainian Parliament and later to deputies of the Mazhilis and Maslikhats in Kazakhstan — regional and national legislative bodies.
After the publication of my first book The Game of Elections, we began consulting candidates and parties in Georgia, Moldova, and Israel.
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Business Model and How It Changed
In the beginning, our revenue came primarily from election consulting contracts. Within about two years — roughly three election cycles in different Eastern European countries — we reached over $1M in revenue.
Over time, we expanded beyond elections into government relations, crisis communications, and lobbying, because our clients needed not just campaign strategies but also ongoing advocacy and business lobbying in the U.S. and EU.
Reaching $1 Million in Revenue
We reached $1M in revenue in roughly two years. This was achieved by running multiple election campaigns across Eastern Europe — usually three electoral cycles in different countries.
The Turning Point
The turning point was when we expanded from election consulting into government relations and lobbying. Many clients realized they needed more than just winning campaigns — they also needed help building influence, protecting their interests, and establishing credibility with international stakeholders.
Marketing Channels That Worked Best
Our “marketing” is quite different from traditional businesses. This industry works mostly through referrals, satisfied clients, and reputation. We don’t need thousands of customers — ten strong clients can build a stable company.
Publishing my book, hosting international forums, and being active in professional associations (such as international lobbying associations) also gave us visibility and trust.
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Top Challenges While Scaling
- Building local teams in each region, understanding languages, and adapting to cultural differences.
- Managing client expectations, especially with Eastern European clients who often need education on how political processes and lobbying deliver results over time.
- Maintaining strong teams and technology not only during elections but also between election cycles. We invested in advanced software, including our own systems for campaign automation and donor management.
A Moment of Doubt
Yes — COVID-19 and later the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East were huge blows to our industry. At those moments, it was tempting to step back. But staying committed to the mission of advancing democracy and supporting pro-Western political forces kept us moving forward.
An Early Mistake
Early on, we underestimated how different regional “cultural maps” are. A message that works in Ukraine might not work in the EU, and strategies that succeed in Central Asia may need a completely different approach in Israel. Learning to adapt quickly to these differences was crucial.
Insights for Founders
It requires fewer clients than you think — but much deeper relationships. Instead of thousands of small sales, our success came from 10 major contracts.
How My Role Changed
At first, I was directly running campaigns. Over time, I had to delegate more, build systems, and trust regional teams. My role shifted to strategy, partnerships, and international positioning.
What I Would Do Differently
I would invest earlier in building strong international partnerships and technology platforms — they became critical to scaling.
Where SIC Group Stands Today
Today, SIC Group works across multiple continents — the U.S., Europe, Eastern Europe, Central Asia — and is expanding into Latin America and Africa. We continue to combine election consulting, lobbying, and media strategy, while also organizing international forums on campaign management and government relations.
What We’re Optimizing Now
We are focusing on expanding our global lobbying practice and building networks that connect politicians, businesses, and donors across continents.
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Staying Connected to the Mission
Absolutely. Our mission was never just commercial. It has always been about strengthening democracy through professional political management, publishing books, giving free lectures and trainings, and building platforms for dialogue.
Best Advice for Hitting $1M
Focus on value, not volume. You don’t need 1,000 clients — you need a handful of the right ones. And always remember that success requires persistence: only 20% of your efforts bring results, but you must consistently put in 100% of the work.
Books, Habits, and Tools That Helped
Publishing books and sharing knowledge has been a powerful tool for credibility and networking. On a personal level, I also believe that charity and doing good works are part of sustainable success — financial growth is a blessing, and giving back matters.
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Bonus: My Guiding Principles
In politics and business, remember: profits and projects ultimately come from the Creator. Stay committed to your mission, invest in relationships, and give back through education and philanthropy. These are not just moral choices — they are factors of long-term success.
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