From Hobbies to Business: How Belagroprombank’s I Grow Project Helps Belarusian Women Start Businesses

A hobby that feeds. A dream for many. But how do you turn a passion into a business? And who will help you take the first step? The answer is in the stories of Belarusian women. Belagroprombank has been supporting business women for several years. The project “I grow” helps to go from the idea to the first client. Training, mentors, support. And the result: more than 200 participants, new IP and production.

Sometimes, to find yourself, you just need to start doing something with your hands. Especially when you’re a mother on maternity leave, working remotely and you know you need something to fill you up again. Margaret is a mother of three. It's been on decree for years. Remote work. I felt a little more and she would just disappear into this cycle. Salvation came through hands. First, cast. Figures, fills, first samples. But soon an unexpected attack is an allergy. I had to find myself again.

Margarita Mikhnovets, founder of the epoxy resin workshop: I was thinking about what else to do similar, but that was also interesting. And then I came across some, I don't remember, commercial or video with tar. And I was interested. I tried to do something big – watches, paintings. I came to the tables probably a year ago. As they say, when a mother does something, everyone does it – support, help. People sometimes go to fairs and even with me.”.

It all started with gifts for friends and family. The first work is for the soul to please and surprise relatives. Popularity overtook suddenly - in social networks. And it went on and on: orders, questions, proposals. Marguerite understood that she had to grow. But it was scary. "What if it doesn't work?" What if something goes wrong? These "suddenly" stopped for a short time.

Fate brought Margarita with the project “I grow” from Belagroprombank – a community of women who learn together, support each other, share ideas. Meetings once a week, online classes with Republican speakers, homework. Mentors are experienced, patient. They helped each participant, noticed nuances that are not visible from the height of their own experience. Learned to do business, to read formulas, to draw up documents. I got there unexpectedly and got hooked from the first meeting.

During the three seasons of I Grow, 225 women passed through the accelerator. Someone opened an IP, someone changed the form of ownership, someone just started their own business. But everyone got the main thing: confidence. Belagroprombank relies on women and helps business women grow. And the result speaks for itself.