Meet the Women Entrepreneurs of AGBU
The funds raised from our global sales on International Women’s Day, March 8, will go to 5 participants in AGBU’s Women Entrepreneurs (WE) program, as they break free from traditional gender molds and gain economic independence.
Similar to the pitch process at the end of the WE program, the amount granted to each entrepreneur will be determined by their business pitch, your vote, and the Commodity team’s review.
So be sure to cast your vote by April 3.
Explore Their Stories
Dream Chocolate by Anahit B.
I’m an economist by profession. I graduated from Armenian State University of Economics, Anti-Crisis Management (Bachelor’s) and Business Management (Master’s). Before starting my business I worked as a financial analyst. I’m married with two children.
Business website:
Product provided:
We offer an assortment of chocolate products, including:
- chocolate mendiants with nuts and dried fruits
- chocolate bars
- a milk chocolate collection
- a dark chocolate collection
- a holiday chocolate collection
How’d you get into this line of work?
In 2020, the company I was working for shut down because of the pandemic. To get out of that stressful situation I started studying coffee and chocolate making, as I knew that something special was missing in the market.
What could you do with the first place grant ($5,000)?
I currently have export offers from France, Germany, the U.S. and Russia, however, to satisfy the high demand I need to increase productivity. For that purpose, some production processes would need to be automated and new equipment be added. With the offered grant amount, I can purchase a chocolate tempering machine, which will make the production process faster and increase our production capacity, helping us meet the current demand and also sign new contracts.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
Female empowerment for me is a generation of smart girls and women who have access to relevant knowledge and skills. Women will thrive and become more self-confident if they have access to proper tools and if they are free to make their own choices.
Anmoruk by Lianna M.
I’m 33 years old and a biologist by profession. I graduated from Yerevan State University with a Biology degree in 2010. After graduation, I worked in a laboratory of Grand Tobacco for about 3 years. I’m married and have two sons.
Business website:
Product provided:
We produce fruit and vegetable chips, and fruit and berry teas. We make ready-made tea blends and have customizable collections where customers can make their own teas with any ingredients they like. This gives us a competitive advantage in the market.
How’d you get into this line of work?
Making teas and chips was originally a hobby that turned into a business. I started receiving orders from posting online, which encouraged me to evolve.
What could you do with the first place grant ($5,000)?
With the first place grant, we would buy a fruit dryer to start offering dried fruits. This will help us increase production volume, expand the business and hire new employees. I have already received offers from both local shops and other countries.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
That’s a tough question. For me, first of all, female empowerment means that women are becoming stronger and hopefully one day we will be not only a subject of decisions, but also decision-makers.
Chopurian and Bazaar Yerevan by Ani C.
I am a fashion designer. I studied the Science of Culture at Yerevan State University, Fine Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi, and Modern Design at Instituto di Marangoni in Milan. I started creating Chopurian clothes and art in 2014, and I opened my first store in 2022. That year, I also created Bazaar Yerevan for second-hand and vintage clothing.
Business website:
Chopurian: Instagram
Bazaar Yerevan: Instagram
Product provided:
Vintage clothes, avant-garde clothes, recycled clothes and accessories.
How’d you get into this line of work?
When I was 14 I saw a woman beaten to death by her husband in the hospital. That’s when I realized women should feel powerful enough to stand up for themselves. I wanted to help women dress in a way that people around them would acknowledge their power, strength and identity.
What could you do with the first place grant ($5,000)?
We have generated a large interest in vintage clothes, since they don’t exist in Armenia. To develop our business, we have to find European partners through whom we can import this clothing. At the moment, our goals are Poland and Sweden, where there is a large volume of second-hand and vintage clothes at affordable prices.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
To me, an empowered woman is the one who is not afraid, who believes in herself and doesn't back down from a challenge. Female empowerment is the process in which women can think, shape and create what they can be, do, and accomplish.
Nush Enamel Jewelry by Nune M.
I graduated from the Yerevan State Medical University in 2003, then entered residency and postgraduate study (MD) at the Research Institute of Eye Diseases in Moscow. In 2012 I moved back to Armenia, where I worked as an ophthalmologist surgeon. I’m married and have 4 kids.
Business website:
Product provided:
Fire-enamel silver jewelry.
How’d you get into this line of work?
The idea was born when my husband gave me a book on Armenian ornamental art. Historically, these ornaments are created through fire-enameling, an art form that was lost in our region. I spent a year studying and practicing, and in 2015 I founded Nush Enamel Jewelry, using Armenian ornaments and fire-enameling technology.
What could you do with the first place grant ($5,000)?
Our customers are mainly from Armenia, but we also have regular customers from Belgium, France, and the U.S. We need a marketing strategy and tools to make our brand more known internationally. The grant would go toward marketing efforts, including copywriting, ad writing, photography, videography, and social promotion.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
I believe women have the intuitive knowledge needed to forge their own paths. Therefore, empowering a woman means letting her go her own way, providing opportunities, offering help, but understanding that she instinctively knows the way.
BNATUR by Arpik B.
Founder and director of BNATUR. I am married with two sons.
Business website:
Product provided:
Care products for hair and skin, which are made from natural ingredients and free of harsh chemicals. Our products are designed to nourish and protect the hair and skin, promoting health and vitality without causing damage or irritation.
How’d you get into this line of work?
I got into this line of work through a personal experience. I began making my own skincare products to address a personal skin problem, but soon realized the potential to create a business focused on promoting health and vitality without causing damage or irritation.
What could you do with the first place grant ($5,000)?
Our plan is to allocate the funds toward the reconstruction of a new factory/workshop. The grant will be specifically used for the purchase of materials for the reconstruction of one of the rooms. The new factory will enable us to increase our production capacity and create 5-10 new job positions for women.
What does female empowerment mean to you?
To me, female empowerment means giving women the tools and resources they need to take control of their own health and well-being. Through my work, I've seen how powerful it can be for women to make informed choices about their own bodies and prioritize self-care. Therefore, I hope to help women feel confident and empowered in their own skin.
