FARAHNAZ MOHAMMADI , entrepreneur and gift shop owner
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The pandemic has offered me the opportunity to reflect on how I can improve my business ."
After earning a college degree in economics and business , I opened a gift shop — the only one of its kind in Kabul . Being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated society is not easy . Luckily , I found an investor who became my business partner . We named our shop Armaghaan , the Farsi word for happiness .
We sell an assortment of unique cakes , flowers , artisan jewelry , and books . From the beginning , I viewed Armaghaan as an opportunity for employment for girls and women . Considering the cultural barriers , we hired a male to make the deliveries ; the rest of our staff is female .
During lockdown , we started offering our products online . Our customers rarely visit the store these days ; they submit their orders online . We deliver almost anywhere in Kabul . The health crisis has provided an opportunity to take a break , reflect and reconsider , and to change our habits and routines .
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