Pediatric dentistry has been one of the most underdeveloped directions of medicine in Tajikistan with no clinics specializing solely on children. But that changed when Dr. Sufieva opened "Umka" - the first pediatric dental clinic in Tajikistan. Prior to AP programming, like many other aspiring women-entrepreneurs in Tajikistan, Dr. Sufieva lacked professional training and know-how to start and sustain her new business in an area that is among one of the most difficult for aspiring entrepreneurs.
AP's incubation and acceleration programs have been an excellent opportunity for Dr. Sufieva to start her own business in Tajikistan, where conservative attitudes towards women in business continue to prevail. Accelerate Prosperity (AP) provided technical assistance and access to "patient capital" which enabled Shirin to develop a viable financial model that has been successful. In the last ten months alone "Umka" has received close to 500 patients. "By learning to develop my own business plan, I now understand how to manage my own finances, who my competitors are, how to create a marketing strategy, and how to pitch for investment capital."
With "Umka" receiving recognition from parents in Dushanbe, Shirin is now looking into expanding her clinic and purchasing additional chairs to receive more patients.