Inspiring Stories of Women CUP Business Incubation Graduates

In the Naryn region of Kyrgyz Republic, women not only build businesses but also make significant contributions to their communities. Today, we will tell you about three outstanding entrepreneurs who have completed the Women CUP incubation program and are successfully implementing their projects in Kochkor and Naryn (Kyrgyz Republic).?

The Women CUP program was aimed at bringing together progressive women in entrepreneurship and providing them with the necessary inspirational support to start and grow their businesses. At the end of last year, the business accelerator Accelerate Prosperity (AP) conducted a business incubation program for women entrepreneurs in the Issyk-Kul region, focused on opening and developing their businesses and teaching them essential skills. Out of 136 applicants, 45 companies were selected. They trained for seven weeks, working closely with personal business trackers and attending seminars led by leading industry experts.?

As a result of the acceleration program, three participants were recommended for investment to develop their businesses: the travel company Song-Kol Travel, the cleaning company Jarkyra, and the mountain honey collection business Umai Eco. However, for our storytelling, we selected companies that focus not only on business but also contribute to community development and serve as examples for other women in the region.?

Founder of an English Language School

Chynara Cholponkulova has been working as an English teacher for over 18 years. Three years ago, she began tutoring in English and then underwent specialized training to open her online school. At the end of 2022, she launched her online course and made her first sales. Over 200 students are now studying in her online courses. By founding an English language school, she has opened doors to new opportunities for local residents. The school, located in a modest room in a two-story building, is equipped with the bare essentials: tables, chairs, a board, children, and a teacher with a passionate heart. The school quickly became popular among children and adults wishing to learn English and expand their horizons.?

Chynara believes that knowing a language opens doors to international opportunities and helps local youth develop their skills and confidence. Looking at her, you wouldn't guess that this busy businesswoman has six children. This is one of the characteristics of Kyrgyz women – managing to combine family, household duties, work, and business development. Often, it is the woman who is the breadwinner of the family.?

Chynara is an active social media user and regularly posts short motivational videos in Kyrgyz and English. According to her, children enjoy learning English in her courses, and one of the advantages is that her methodology is based on learning English through the Kyrgyz language. Chynara has also received several honorary certificates for her contribution to education at both the capital and local levels.?

Chynara believes it is important to tell children about the necessity of learning English and the prospects it brings. "Children should know that they can study abroad, broaden their horizons, and build a better future for themselves. This is the message I try to instill in their parents' minds as well," shares Cholpon.

Manager of a Barley Tea Workshop

Another heroine of our story is Sharapat Aktanova, who, at 62 years old, energetically manages the "Arpa Tea" workshop. In reality, this tea is produced in the "Kadam" rehabilitation center, where retirees and people with disabilities are engaged in making barley tea and handmade soap. This center is organized by the Naryn Association for the Protection of Children's Rights. The center not only provides work and support to those in need but also produces natural products that are in demand both in Naryn and beyond. Sharapat actively attracts partners to improve the center's conditions, writes projects, and participates in programs like Women CUP to create new opportunities for the center's wards.

?Many believe that barley tea helps cleanse the body of toxins, cope with stress, and related conditions. Sharapat learned the nuances of its preparation in Japanese courses, and during the Women CUP incubation, she and her business tracker improved the business model, product realization channels, and created a new product – soap. The center can produce up to 500 fragrant soap bars of various shapes per month.?

According to Sharapat, the sale of tea, soap, and other products made by the center's wards provides additional income for their families. Thanks to the "Kadam" center's activities, many families with children with disabilities receive financial support and learn useful skills. At the beginning of summer, Sharapat received a certificate of appreciation in Bishkek for her invaluable contribution, support, and initiative.?

Guest House Owner?

The third entrepreneur is Dinar Maisekeeva, the owner of a new guest house on the outskirts of Naryn. Her business, like any guest house in Kyrgyzstan, is aimed at tourists from around the world, offering them an authentic experience of life in the Naryn region. However, Dinar is originally a psychologist-narcologist in a local hospital. The idea of opening a guest house came to her after working closely with a business tracker in the women's incubation program AP. Dinar rents out two rooms in her house to tourists, immersing them in the life and traditions of a Kyrgyz family. In her guest house, guests can enjoy local cuisine cooked on an outdoor cauldron - ochok, learn about the region's traditions and culture, see local handicrafts, and visit nearby natural attractions.

Dinar has already hosted her first guests from France, who returned to her guest house after visiting popular tourist spots. According to the hostess, they greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see Kyrgyz life from the inside, living literally next door and sharing meals at the same table. Neighbors are amazed at how she manages to juggle two jobs and skillfully uses her time to contribute to the family budget.?

As a result of this incubation program aimed at supporting women in the regions, 23 participating companies attracted 703 new clients, and 19 companies established 40 new market partnerships for collaboration. Additionally, graduates of this cohort created 39 new jobs and introduced 31 new products. All these achievements were accomplished by the women entrepreneurs during the two-month incubation program.

All these women are graduates of the Women CUP incubation program, which helps women entrepreneurs develop their business ideas and turn them into successful projects. Their stories are a vivid example of how one can change their life and the life of their community by following their dreams and perseverance, and by setting an example of what women in Kyrgyzstan can achieve. Women in the regions of Kyrgyzstan not only succeed in business but also become true leaders in their communities, inspiring others to take bold steps and start new ventures. These women have not only achieved success in business but have also become true leaders in their communities, inspiring others to take bold steps and new initiatives.?

This project has been funded by UK International Development from the UK government and Aga Khan Foundation; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies

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