Dmytro Makarov’s journey goes against the grain. Self-study and on-the-job training molded him into one of the most sought-after marketing strategists of today.
At 24, he has an agency of 100+ staff and 500+ campaigns. Clients include BMW, Intel, Durex, NIVEA, Domino’s Pizza, and Kyivstar. The real challenge is not growth — it’s maintaining edge while growing rapidly.
Mornings Set the Tone
Dmytro Makarov guards twenty quiet minutes in the morning with black coffee. No phone. Only planning and learning something new from publications, podcasts, or books.
Daily flow:
1) 7:30 — wake up, coffee, news from Ukraine
2) 8:00–9:30 — deep work: strategy, analytics, strategic decisions
3) 10:00–19:00 — meetings, teamwork, client projects
4) Evening — training, reading, relaxing
“It is necessary to get your body or mind in shape. This is my ‘code of the day’ that helps me stay focused and keep energy.”
GMG: Grind. Mastery. Growth.
Dmytro Makarov works on GMG — his own code.
1) Grind is a continuous effort on yourself, skills, and business. Every step from freelancer to international agency was taken by sheer effort.
2) Mastery is a deep understanding of marketing, analytics, and leadership. Having in-depth knowledge regarding tools, people, and strategy.
3) Growth includes financial growth, team growth, and personal change.
This mindset took him through influencer marketing, content marketing, media planning, and performance strategy.
Biohacking for Performance
Makarov brings athlete strategies to business:
1) Morning and evening device-free habits
2) Whole foods diet, low sugar
3) Everyday exercise to reduce stress
4) Wearable tracking (Whoop) of heart rate variability, sleep, and stress
He has experimented with intermittent fasting and supplements, but says these are tools, not substitutes for sleep and proper nutrition. Data motivates him to assist in tracking stress and burnout prevention.
Books That Inform Decision-Making
Five must-haves:
1) Ray Dalio’s “Principles” — decision-making principles
2) “Wealth and Clarity” by “Naval Ravikant”
3) “Avoiding Behavior” — avoiding doing
4) “Atomic Habits” — behavior change
5) “Thinking, Fast and Slow” — emotion vs. reason
6) “Innovation” by “Zero to One”
Reading re-does response at critical times.
Real Success
His agency created 524 campaigns and 2.6+ billion impressions. But real victories? Being himself in win, loss, war, and rebuild. Creating a respected team who are on the mission.
What gets him going are Ukraine’s defenders, volunteers, ordinary things — phoneless walks, sincere talks.
Makarov’s GMG philosophy combined with healthy, disciplined living shaped his marketing leadership success formula.
