Building a WordPress Career Without a Map: Lessons from My Journey

I never dreamed of being a CEO. Even now, when I am introduced as such, I feel a little shy. But every time I start thinking, “Am I enough? Doesn’t the company deserve someone more qualified?“—I return to my journey.

I want to share this to inspire those who are just starting out, changing their path, or feeling lost along the way.

My career path looks like this:
Senior Technical Support Specialist → Shift Support Manager → QA Manager → Release Manager → Project Manager → Product Owner → COO → CEO

I started as a chat operator in technical support and quickly advanced to Senior Technical Support Specialist and mentor, later becoming Shift Support Manager. I transitioned to the production department as a QA Ma

Soon after, my responsibilities grew to include roles like Release Manager and Project Manager.

When we launched Crocoblock, I focused on product and strategic issues, working as a Product Owner, then COO, and finally, CEO.

However, my journey began even earlier.

A story that inspired me

When I was a teenager, my father changed careers. He worked as a land-line network engineer, but as technology advanced, the role became obsolete. At 42, he started from scratch in the gas industry. His persistence and willingness to learn left a lasting impression on me. A few years later, he became the CEO of a company in a completely new field.

Later, in 2014, due to war, he lost his job and started over again. Now, in 2025, after yet another wave of war, he has taken on a new role, proving to himself and others that it’s never too late. This story ingrained in me the belief that “you can always find a new beginning.”

How I entered IT

While studying at university, I promised myself, “I will never work with websites!” Before WordPress, web development with pure HTML didn’t appeal to me.

However, in 2014, as the war began and tanks rolled past my house toward Crimea, I was looking for any job that required English. That’s how I ended up in technical support. The training lasted a month, with me spending 5 hours on mentorship and about the same amount of time on homework every single day. During that time, I left the house only once to celebrate my grandmother’s birthday—I was that captivated.

My technical education, understanding of databases, and soft skills from public activities helped me adapt quickly. I chose to work a six-day schedule to fully immerse myself in the new world.

A defining moment

After my internship, I was introduced to the KPI system that affected salaries: 30 metrics and a calculation formula. Instead of analyzing the formula, I focused on the tasks at hand. My goal was simple: solve customer problems as effectively as possible.

Two months later, I became the top chat operator. Within three months, I mentored newcomers, and in six months, I helped revamp the support system.

This experience was key for me. I realized it’s not about chasing ratings or recognition—it’s about focusing on the value you create, which ultimately leads to success.

The transition to production

After a year and a half in support, I wanted a broader impact. Thanks to regular reports and feedback I shared with the production team, they invited me to join their department. I didn’t know which role suited me or cared about titles—I simply did what was needed.

Over time, I held several roles: QA Manager, Release Manager, Project Manager, and Product Owner. But none of them confined my scope of responsibilities.

My approach to work

One of the most important principles I followed was a willingness to help—without letting it hinder my main work.

• If I knew the answer to a question, I responded immediately.
• If I didn’t know but knew where to find it, I searched quickly.
• If expert input was needed, I contacted the right person.
• If I was short on time, I guided colleagues on where and whom to ask.

I always ensured the problem was solved and remembered the solution. This helped me build a broad network within the company and become the go-to person who “knows everything.”

Why I grew with the company

Throughout my career, I have never feared uncertainty. When responsibilities changed, I took them as challenges. My philosophy was simple: “I need to do everything to help the project grow, and I’ll grow along with it.”

Of course, there were periods of anxiety and doubt. Remembering my goal helped me push forward, work harder, learn faster, and adapt to changes.

How I became a CEO

With each new role, my understanding of the WordPress market and products deepened. My vision broadened, and my goals became more ambitious. This inspired me to build a strong team and take on more responsibility for decision-making.

As COO, I honed my skills in achieving goals. However, the key to transitioning to CEO was realizing I was ready to take responsibility for defining the goals themselves. As a CEO, your work results in the work of your team. The main tasks of a CEO are to maintain the vision, support the team, and create conditions for growth.

For me, being a CEO is about constant development, solving new challenges, and creating growth opportunities—not only for the company but also for the team. This role isn’t the ultimate goal but a tool for achieving results that matter to us all.

Key takeaways

Over this journey, I’ve learned that it’s important to focus on tasks rather than how one is evaluated. Good work speaks for itself.

When you do what you love and constantly strive for new challenges, time flies unnoticed. That’s what happened to me: 10 years passed in the blink of an eye. And then, one day, I find myself still the same girl fighting in the name of customer happiness—but now, I’m also setting the budget for the entire project for the next year.

During this time, I’ve observed my colleagues and subordinates build their careers, and I strive to share my experience. At Crocoblock, we actively help support team members grow into developers, managers, and marketers, taking on new roles. This path is open to anyone willing to work, learn, and aim higher.
My lesson is simple: Be open to change, focus on what you do, and don’t fear big goals. If you work toward them daily, they will become a reality.