Teenage Kabul entrepreneur crafts a business from art

KABUL (Pajhwok): With small hands but big dreams, Haida Shafaq, a 14-year-old girl from Kabul, has transformed her artistic passion into a thriving small business.

After schools were closed to girls beyond sixth grade, Haida took a different path—one that has not only empowered her but also inspired others to pursue self-reliance.

A resident of the Sar-i-Kotal area in Kabul’s Khairkhana district, Haida was a top student at the private “Wahdat” school, where she studied up to the sixth grade. She is also the eldest child in her family.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Haida recalled the moment her educational journey was abruptly halted: “When schools closed to girls above grade six, I couldn’t continue my studies. But I didn’t want to sit idly at home—I wanted to do something meaningful.”

Her inspiration struck when she came across a video on her mother’s phone showing how to make bracelets from colorful beads. With excitement, she told her mother, “We can make these too!” Encouraged by her family, she began her business with just 1,000 Afghanis (around $13).

Her first products—handmade bracelets—earned a few sales in the local market, but shopkeepers’ lack of interest and limited sales initially discouraged her. Still, Haida didn’t give up.

She spoke with vendors, studied market trends, and soon realized there was growing demand for decorative handbags and children’s tiaras.

Now, nearly a year and a half later, Haida handcrafts a variety of items using beads and crystals, including handbags, bracelets, keychains, pen holders, and tiaras for children.

She customizes each piece to suit customer preferences and collaborates closely with her mother on the designs.

“In the beginning, finding quality beads was difficult,” she said. “But over time, I learned to identify better materials. Now I use the best crystals for my products.”

One of Haida’s standout creations is her collection of children’s tiaras—primarily in gold tones—designed for birthday parties. These unique, elegant alternatives to traditional paper tiaras have quickly gained popularity.

“These tiaras are more beautiful and stylish than the paper ones,” Haida said proudly.

She also creates original designs for pen holders and other accessories, with some products tailored to women using feminine themes, and others featuring more masculine designs for men.

Haida dreams of expanding her business further and hopes to one day create employment opportunities for other girls facing similar challenges.

Her parents, especially her mother Ayesha Shafaq, have been unwavering in their support. “Her father and I have always encouraged her,” said Ayesha. “We want her to achieve her dreams. She is hardworking and dedicated—not just to her craft but to her religious studies as well.”

Haida sells most of her products to shopkeepers and promotes her work through social media, steadily growing her customer base.

Samira Asghari, a women’s products vendor in Kabul, said: “On our online page, Haida’s products are among the top sellers. Her handbags and keychains are not only beautiful and affordable but also of great quality.”

Customer Sadaf Ahmadi echoed this praise: “I always use Haida Jan’s handbags. They’re high-quality and I’m very satisfied.”

Economic expert Zahir Behzad emphasized the broader importance of businesses like Haida’s.

“Small enterprises play a vital role in job creation, economic circulation, and tax contribution,” he said. “When women engage in handicrafts, they not only earn an income but also help create safe and inclusive work environments—this can become a key driver for national economic growth.”

He stressed that supporting women entrepreneurs is essential to ensuring the growth and success of small businesses across Afghanistan.

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