LocationsHow traditional craft became a family business with UNDP support
Turning a Hobby into Business: Qanoat's Journey from Namangan
November 18, 2025
Inspiration from Childhood
Qanoat Nuritdinova is from the Turakurgan district of Namangan region. From an early age, she was surrounded by traditions of handicraft: gold embroidery, needlework, and weaving. She inherited these skills from her mother, and for a long time, the craft was simply part of family life and a way to preserve national culture.
However, like many women in the regions, Qanoat faced a question: how to turn a beloved hobby into a source of income and a sustainable business? She found the answer through participation in a program organized within the framework of the Joint Project of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP "Aid for Trade in Central Asia – Phase V", funded by the Government of Finland.
From Training Participant to Entrepreneur
As part of the project, UNDP organized a series of trainings aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills among women and youth. For Qanoat, this became a turning point.
"These sessions changed my perception. I realized that my craft is not just a hobby, but an opportunity to develop a business, create jobs, and inspire other women," Qanoat recalls.
She saw that her products could be in demand not only at local fairs, but also beyond the region, especially if traditional techniques were combined with modern approaches to quality and safety.
Innovation Through Tradition
A key feature of Qanoat's business was the production of educational toys and textile products for children. It was fundamentally important for her that the products were safe, eco-friendly, and met the requirements of the modern market.
Participation in exhibitions played a crucial role in business development. During one of them, Qanoat discussed with experts the possibilities of using eco-friendly and safe materials in the production of children's toys. These recommendations helped her take a fresh look at the manufacturing process and improve product quality, which increased buyer interest and strengthened trust in her brand.
Handmade toys, pillows, decorative dolls, and other products became not only household items, but also carriers of cultural memory. Each product preserves elements of traditional embroidery that are gradually disappearing from everyday life today.
Family Business as a Source of Strength
The success of the enterprise is impossible without family support. Today, Qanoat's business is a true family affair, where everyone contributes. Qanoat's mother, with her extensive pedagogical experience, helps determine children's needs, which is especially important when creating educational toys. Her father participates in visualization and preparation of sketches for new products, supporting the creative design process. Her son, who speaks foreign languages, helps master new equipment and keep up with modern trends.
Thus, the craft became a family enterprise uniting generations and opening new prospects for the future. For Qanoat, this is not just a business—it's a way to show other girls in the region that national traditions can become the foundation of modern success.
Challenges and Future Plans
Like many small enterprises, Qanoat's business faces a number of challenges. One handmade product can take up to five days of work, which limits the scale of production.
However, participation in the Mentorship Program, implemented within the project framework, became an important step forward. Qanoat became a winner of the grant competition and received modern equipment—sewing and embroidery machines, as well as additional tools for optimizing the production process.
This support will significantly reduce the time for manufacturing products, increase productivity, and at the same time preserve the uniqueness and quality of handwork.
As the next step, Qanoat envisions expanding sales markets and promoting her products through online platforms, so that products from Namangan are available not only in Uzbekistan, but also in the international market.
UNDP's Role
The Joint Project of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNDP "Aid for Trade in Central Asia – Phase V", funded by the Government of Finland, had a significant impact on the development of Qanoat's business, helping her go from a hobby to a sustainable family enterprise. Participation in trainings allowed her to develop entrepreneurial skills and business thinking, as well as establish connections with experts, designers, and potential investors.
Receiving a grant within the Mentorship Program was of particular importance: modern equipment—sewing and embroidery machines—became a key resource for increasing production capacity and optimizing manual labor time. New professional connections and expert support gave Qanoat confidence in the business's future, helped improve product quality, and made it more compliant with modern standards.
The story of Qanoat Nuritdinova is a story of transformation, inspiration, and strength. It shows that traditional crafts can be not only part of cultural heritage, but also a driver of innovation and economic growth.
Combining love for traditions, attention to quality, and a desire for development, Qanoat turned her hobby into a sustainable and socially significant business. UNDP's support helped her along this path and inspired new goals—preserving national traditions, developing women's entrepreneurship, and contributing to the sustainable development of the regions.
