Nineia now has 98 wholesale partners in three continents, products in two department stores and an annual business of £ 100,000.
Some of the five brands they distribute were actually based in Kharkiv, but they had to move their manufacturing to the safe western part of the country.
In Ukraine, Ms Smugalo was the owner of her own brand of clothing and said that Nanitia was translated as “Motherland”.
He said: “It was my first experience to invest and it was quite difficult, especially in English.”
The BBC contacted them and asked to take part in the show.
He said: “They told me, ‘We got your business and we think it’s really good, will you consider taking part in it?’
“I have to be honest, I have never seen it.
“I messaged my chat group and I said, ‘I made this call and they invited me – should I accept it?’ And everyone said yes! ”
He added: “At first I had my own business, I have a strategy, so standing in front of other business people, that’s fine.
“The thing that bothered me was the camera, not people!”
He accepted the joint offer of Maden and Bartlet, in which each invested £ 40,000 for 5% share.
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