Women's entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan is developing rapidly. More and more girls are striving to be freer and more independent in terms of their career and finances. We spoke to Nodira Vakhidova, entrepreneur and founder of the School of Women's Entrepreneurship, and learned about the challenges women can face on their business path.
Nodira Vakhidova, Tashkent, founder and head of the Business Woman School of Women's Entrepreneurship, @nodira_vakhidova
Company: Tadbirkor Ayol — Business Woman
Year of foundation: 2022
Start-up capital: 0
About me
I am the founder and head of the company Business Woman or in Uzbek language — Tadbirkor Ayol. I work in the field of business education and I am engaged in training girls. We conduct short-term intensive courses for those who have no experience at all and who are just starting their business, and for those who are already in the growth stage and want to scale up and reach a new level.
I also have my own Business Woman club, which brings together female entrepreneurs, graduates of our courses, experts, top managers and mentors. Because often women entrepreneurs need support, both professional and emotional. We share with each other our experience, ideas and give this support.
How it all started
I made the decision to start my own business 12 years ago. At the time I was in a leadership position, I was the Executive Director. It was my highest hiring position. But I realized that I lacked knowledge in other areas, such as finance. So I took a professional management course at the Uzbek-Japanese Center. And after finishing the course I decided that I no longer wanted to develop in recruitment. I realized that I had grown stronger and wanted to become a business owner.
I did not have any brilliant ideas at that time. I and other graduates of the course came up with the idea to launch an entertainment center. Today I realize that it was a utopian idea with flimsy calculations. We were going to invest considerable sums in the project without proper preparation. But we were lucky, because we stopped in time, and the project did not take place. But I didn't lose any friends, which is more important for me.
After that, acquaintances told me that a sausage factory was looking for a sales manager. I went to the negotiations and said that I was ready to become a distributor. From that moment I started to develop a sausage distributor network and tried many different directions.
About the company
Today I am involved in business education for women. I chose this niche on purpose, because for me it is clear and understandable. I know how and how I can be useful to girls-entrepreneurs, taking into account their needs and my own experience.
I believe that what a person is in small things, he will be the same in big things. Therefore, my principles in business are the same as in life: responsibility, honesty and openness.
I am proud to have 10 expert practitioners working with me. They are active women entrepreneurs whom I have known for many years and who have started their own businesses from scratch. Each of them has traveled a different path to become a business owner. Each of them has deep expertise in their area of expertise. For example, marketing is taught by the founder of a marketing agency. Finance is taught by the founder of a financial consulting company.
Girls are quite emotional. And you have to go into business with a cold head. That is why we also have a specialist working with us, who helps the students to choose a direction for their future business, overcome their inner fears, believe in themselves and start their own business.
My goal is to give as much quality knowledge as possible to girls who are eager to start their own business, but do not know where to start or how to develop further. I am glad that I can be useful, that I give people knowledge from a state of surplus. After all, I have the right skills and experience that I am willing to share.
About difficulties
The standard difficulties at the beginning of the journey are always related to lack of knowledge. Most of my problems in 12 years of sailing solo were precisely because I didn't have any knowledge. I didn't know how to establish and maintain healthy partnerships, how to build processes within the company, how to avoid cash gaps. I learned everything in practice, jumping from one rake to another.
But I always had a good supportive environment. I never faced stereotypes about women in business. For example, I was part of a business community that was predominantly made up of men. And whatever project I started, the guys always supported me with knowledge and acted as clients. Especially at the initial stage, when it is so important to get all the processes up and running.
Women's business in Uzbekistan is gaining momentum. We are still at the beginning of our journey, but I am already pleased with the pace of development of women's entrepreneurship.
Many people lack knowledge. Girls think that business is possible only with some huge capital. But this is not true. After all, women mostly work in micro and small businesses. And if they still want to launch a large business, there is often a lack of investment.
It is important to remember that small businesses have a great potential to grow into medium-sized businesses, and then into large ones. The more girls expand their knowledge, the more they change their thinking, the more they want to have more autonomy in managing their finances, their working hours, and their future. That is why more and more women in Uzbekistan today are going into business.
Recommendations
If you have no experience in either entrepreneurship or recruitment, go for recruitment first. For example, if you want to open a cafe or restaurant, get a job in any position and work in the industry, learning the business from the inside. By doing so, you will not only gain knowledge and experience, but also save a lot of money in the future. Or perhaps you will change your mind and realize that this is not your thing.
Remember that business is hard work, no matter how beautiful it looks from the outside. So, to avoid doing business as if you were walking blindfolded through a minefield, constantly educate yourself and gain knowledge. More than 90% of small businesses close in the first three years, and no one wants to be in that 90%. You need to go into business prepared, because the price of risk is high.
