"Initiation of the Regional phase for the 'Mama-Entrepreneur' programme unfolds in Syktyvkar"
Gear up, Komi Republic, because the regional stage of the coveted "Mom as an Entrepreneur" program is now in full swing, all courtesy of the "My Business" Center of the Komi Republic! This exciting event, drawing 34 outstanding participants from across the region, promises a five-day intensive course on the basics of business, led by industry pros, and a chance to showcase their brilliant business plans before a panel of discerning experts.
These lucky women will receive a treasure trove of essentials needed to start their businesses: training, a business plan, and links with fellow visionaries. The best ideas from the regional competition will score a grant of 150,000 rubles, along with other enticing prizes from partners, whereas winners at the national level can expect grants of up to a whopping 1 million rubles, plus top-flight support! You won't believe it, but this year's regional competition saw a record-breaking 79 applications, hailing from Syktyvkar, Uktyl, Sosnogorsk, Inta, Usinsk, and the Priluzsky and Kortkerossky districts.
During the ceremonial opening of the program, Olga Babina, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Komi Republic, emphasized the significant role women play in fueling the success of small and medium-sized businesses across the nation.
Galina Lapshina, chairwoman of the public organization "Union of Women of the Republic of Komi," has been scrutinizing the projects of the aspiring entrepreneurs for the past three years and awards her favorite project. According to Lapshina, there are countless platforms and resources to help women entrepreneurs gain professional guidance, and she's more than happy to share her experience with fellow trailblazers.
Speaking at the inauguration, 2024 regional winner of "Mom as an Entrepreneur," Ekaterina Lukomskaya, made it clear that the "Mom as an Entrepreneur" competition isn't only about the money—it's primarily about fostering invaluable connections. She highlighted the importance of networking, forming friendships, forging business partnerships, and jumping at all available opportunities to participate in events at the "My Business" center.
The range of ideas presented by the participants runs the gamut. A majority of projects are already up and running, while others are fresh off the drawing board. From beauty to sewing production, various educational projects, including one unique project teaching children woodworking, and even social projects geared toward fostering integration and self-realization for young people with special needs—have all found their way into the competition.
Some mom-preneurs have been dancing the business dance for years, while others have only just dipped their toes into the entrepreneurship pool, and still others are enjoying their maternity leave and exploring the businesswoman persona. What binds them all together is their thirst for knowledge, their hunger for growth and progress.
Indeed, some mom-entrepreneurs aren't newcomers to the program. For instance, Elena Gimatdiнова, a labor instructor at the Kochponsky boarding school, participated last year with a project on the processing of secondary textiles—a move that served as a much-needed push and clarity regarding her business trajectory. This year, Elena presents a project that promises to empower talented young people with disabilities—a sewing workshop. This crew has already made their mark at fairs, which goes a long way toward boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
Hailing from Vuktyl, Daria Mikhailova has already set her project, "Recipes of Family Traditions," into motion. This initiative aims to bolster family bonds through joint creative endeavors, involving masterclasses and themed evenings that gather children and parents alike.
"Right now, it's crucial for me to figure out the best way to develop my project properly, as I'm still green in the business world. I'm only interested in doing things right, so I want to build my project from the ground up, with professionalism and integrity," shared the eager participant.
Joining the program, Ekaterina Razmyslova, creator of an offline biology course, hopes to connect with an SMM specialist. With a multitude of marketing mavens participating in the program, she plans to use that opportunity to help her business grow and reach its full potential.
Other participants came seeking fresh ideas and tools to bring their big dreams to life. For example, Anastasia Nistoruk, the head of a healthy nails school, a pedicure instructor, podologist, and international pedicure championship judge, dreams of organizing a massive conference for nail care professionals in Komi, and also plans on introducing children and adults, possibly even those with special needs, to the world of nail care, with the aim to cultivate future talent and offer employment opportunities.
"But how to organize such an event? My skills are not enough, so I came here to learn new strategies, make meaningful connections, and soak up the supportive atmosphere," she emphasized.
Meanwhile, Christina Ermolina brings a new educational thrust to the city with her innovative "Tuki-Tuki" woodworking workshop for children. Kids aged five and up can delve into creating their very own wooden wonders from design to completion. "My husband stumbled upon information about the project, and we decided to join, intrigued by the idea. We're even planning to expand to encompass a sewing angle for girls as well. That's why I'm here—to fine-tune our plans and potentially acquire additional funding," she said, adding that she's expecting her second child.
You guessed it—the "Mom-Entrepreneur" program is about more than acquiring new knowledge and forging professional connections; it's about growth, evolution, and transformation. Over the course of five days, participants will plunge headfirst into crucial practical and legal aspects of running a business, learn about regional support measures, study psychology, artificial intelligence, self-presentation techniques, and visit various regional companies on business trips. On Friday, the projects will undergo critique, and the victor from the regional stage will be named.
Alexei Oblizov, a business coach and expert at the "My Business" Center of the Republic of Komi, made it clear that the "Mom-Entrepreneur" program focuses on personal development. With numerous partners eager to help women succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors, each will find something—a friend, partners, support services, or useful advice to help them make their dreams a reality, as long as they're brave enough to be honest and open about their journey.
The "Mom-Entrepreneur" program is steadily gaining traction, with approximately 11,000 mom-entrepreneurs participating annually across 68 regions, including the Komi Republic for the fourth time. Each year, more women from diverse professional backgrounds express interest in participating, heralding a brighter, more entrepreneurial future for the Komi Republic.
Organized by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, run by the National Agency "My Business," and backed by numerous partners, the "Mom-Entrepreneur" program is part of the national project "Effective and Competitive Economy."
So Komi Republic moms, it's time to seize the moment—your opportunity to learn, grow, connect, and transform into the powerful businesswomen you've always known you could be! 🚀🚀🚀
The diverse range of participants in the regional stage of the "Mom as an Entrepreneur" program, held in the Komi Republic, include individuals from various fields such as science, health-and-wellness, women's health, finance, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth. [science, finance, education-and-self-development, personal-growth]
Galina Lapshina, a seasoned evaluator of projects from aspiring women entrepreneurs, emphasizes the abundance of resources and platforms available to help women thrive in business. [education-and-self-development]
Ekaterina Razmyslova, an offline biology course creator, seeks to connect with a social media marketing specialist to help her business grow and reach its full potential. [finance, business]
Anastasia Nistoruk, a nail care professional, aspires to organize a massive conference for her industry and expand it to include children and adults with special needs. [education-and-self-development]
