When witnessing others’ success and achievements, many people fail to realize the hard work and dedication behind all of this. It’s easy to look at this and attribute a bit of “luck” to their success when that’s not the case at all.
Oleksandr (Alex) Dovgal epitomizes this notion of success. He has established himself as a distinguished entrepreneur, innovator, and leader with over 14 years of experience driving strategic innovations. However, Oleksandr’s accomplishments were not handed to him; they are the result of relentless effort and a commitment to realizing his dreams. To fully appreciate and understand the determination, hard work, and resilience that fueled Oleksandr’s success, we must start at the beginning.
Who is Oleksandr Dovgal?
Born on 8/28/1988 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Alex demonstrated a strong work ethic from a young age, supporting his family amidst the financial challenges of the 90s. At just 7 years old, he assisted his grandmother in selling fruits and vegetables to contribute financially. Additionally, he served as an altar boy in the Church, receiving some financial assistance from the priest and occasionally bringing food home. Alex also showcased his artistic talent by performing popular songs, and selling tickets for his shows to further support his family.
Oleksandr’s passion for the arts was unwavering. Not only did he secure third place in a ballroom dancing competition in Ukraine, but he also formed a band at the age of 16, where he showcased his skills as a drummer. During this time, he also started assisting his mother in buying and transporting goods from other countries for sale at a local market and at a clothing store established by his parents.
He would later go on to invest all of his money in the creation of a billiards club named SaBo that he’d co-founded at the age of 17. His activities and studies during his youth were quite successful and full of achievements backed by his exceptional work ethic, the love and support of his family, and his creative mind.
This hardworking and committed approach to life saw Alex pushing boundaries and striving for more in every aspect.
Oleksandr Dovgal: Getting Started & Pushing for More
Oleksandr’s first experiences in America were quite positive. He first visited the USA on a program for students. He enjoyed the people and the atmosphere. After the trip, he returned to Ukraine to finish his bachelor’s degree in 2009 as a radio engineer
of aircraft systems and complexes at Kharkiv National Aerospace University. After completing his degree, Alex immigrated to Wisconsin, USA
Life was anything but easy. During his early years in the USA, Oleksandr pushed himself harder than ever before. He was still helping his parents back home with their financial situation as Ukraine was still experiencing economic problems. So Oleksandr took on three jobs to not only help support his family but to also save up money to start his own business.
His jobs consisted of cleaning tables at Moosejaw restaurant, cooking at Buffalo Phil’s restaurant, and being a cashier at McDonald’s. But due to the constant stress, living on 2-3 hours of sleep a night, and the hectic schedule of three jobs at once, after only three months, Alex’s health began to deteriorate. Afterward, he relocated to Chicago where he worked in two locations delivering pizza, often sacrificing precious hours of sleep in the pursuit of his work.
He was practically living at work, and burnout became a huge problem. His goals were at the forefront of his priorities, but his self-care, proper nourishment, and relaxation were often forgotten.
Oleksandr knew that change was necessary and he’d have to find a different way to support himself and his family.
Shifting Gears: From CDL Driver to Successful Entrepreneur
In an effort to save himself, Oleksandr found a job as a CDL driver. He earned his CDL at the age of 21 and found himself in new difficult situations with this job. The truck had nearly 1,200,000 miles on it and the company he worked for didn’t care enough to provide him with proper maintenance or repairs. Because of this, Oleksandr’s life was threatened several times while working.
Oleksandr took this in stride and dedicated himself to overcoming the difficulties he was faced with. Understanding the nuances of the industry and drawing from his experiences, Oleksandr recognized an entrepreneurial opportunity. He was all too familiar with the strain of physical labor that accompanied driving trucks with poor maintenance. Moreover, the firsthand experience of encountering inadequate support and deceptive practices from various companies deeply resonated with him. It became evident that there was a significant gap in the market for a company that genuinely valued its drivers, and embraced a modern approach focusing on transparency, safe working conditions, and efficient operations.
Creating DVL Express
In 2011, on September 7th, Alex took a significant leap by founding Dovgal Express, Inc; DBA: DVL Express Inc. This venture aimed to address the industry’s shortcomings he had observed. Despite establishing his own company, Oleksandr continued to drive a truck for an additional two years to earn more money to buy more equipment. As time went on, the support and enthusiasm of his friends and fellow drivers grew exponentially, prompting him to realize that the time had come to transition from driving and focus on establishing an office while assembling a dedicated team of professionals.
Oleksandr’s dedication was unwavering even once he was off the road. He invested long hours, often sleeping at work, always ready to assist others, and maintaining a 24-7 presence over the phone. Many were drawn to his passion and his vision of creating a transformative transportation company, which eventually led to a growing allegiance to DVL Express, Inc.
Rapid growth saw the company possessing 200 trucks by 2018 and relocating to a newly purchased terminal in Markham, IL. In a gesture of gratitude to both divine providence and the numerous individuals who supported him, Oleksandr ensured that both buildings were remodeled in a manner that prioritized equal comfort for all employees. His attention to detail was truly remarkable, as he created an incredible eco-design. Additionally, Alex took great care in considering the well-being of the employees by providing lifting tables, ergonomic chairs, optimal lighting, a kitchen offering healthy food choices, and comfortable lounges for both office staff and drivers. He went above and beyond by including a gym and a meditation room, understanding the importance of promoting a healthy work-life balance. The way he curated the company reflects his belief that business itself is a form of art, and his commitment to creating a harmonious and inspiring work environment.
Oleksandr’s Life Today and His Philosophy for Life
However, this journey was far from easy, marked by arduous work, obstacles, lack of self-love and personal sacrifices that led him to experience burnout. Seeking solace, he drew upon the prayers he learned as an altar boy, finding power in spirituality and adopting a conscious approach to life and business. Since then, he has embarked on a path of continuous self-improvement, generously sharing the wisdom he has gained with others.
When he hit rock bottom, experiencing depression, he rose and transformed as an individual and an entrepreneur. He changed the culture at his company, envisioning a conscious transportation company.
DVL Express has become a renowned company, earning prestigious accolades like the Best Work Place in Chicago by the Chicago Tribune, Top Greenest Fleet, and more. These achievements reflect Oleksandr’s unwavering commitment to employee well-being and sustainability.
After transforming his lifestyle, and prioritizing his mind, body, and spirit, he felt compelled to relocate to California. Recognizing the challenges faced by many, he embarked on a mission to improve the world by establishing the community and ecosystem, W1SE. Starting with the W1SE Castle in Solana Beach, a community hub, he delved into projects such as W1SE Logistics, aiming to revolutionize the industry’s efficiency and sustainability. Alongside this, he works on initiatives like W1SE Music, W1SE Films, W1SE Fashion, W1SE Wellness, and W1SE Talks, while nurturing dreams of creating a sustainable W1SE City. Additionally, he founded the non-profit organization, W1SE Planet, as a beacon of his commitment to ecological balance and humanitarian causes. Passionate about philanthropy, he actively supports local and global humanitarian projects, organizing fundraisers and providing vital support, medical supplies, and food to Ukrainian citizens affected by the ongoing Russian invasion.
Alex has an incredible family. In his personal life, after two marriages, Oleksandr has found happiness with Amalia Tabet and their son, Solomon. He expresses deep gratitude towards his parents for their steadfast support and love. Alex says, “Right now, my main goal and mission are to help people overcome their difficulties, inspire them, set an example, and show them that there are no limits; they just need to step out of their comfort zones.” He speaks at conferences, brings people together, creates music, and begins to write books.
In his darkest times, he discovered the incredible power of self-belief, faith in God, and the vision of a brighter future. These principles have empowered him to overcome diverse challenges in both business and relationships, serving as the driving force behind his perseverance. Currently, he is resolute in his commitment to continue creating and having an incredible life experience. Despite the multitude of obstacles he has faced, he firmly asserts that the journey toward self-improvement and achieving goals is consistently rewarding.
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