New Paths, Big Dreams: Meet Winners of the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant
New Paths, Big Dreams: Meet Winners of the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant
For many Afghan newcomers, starting over in the United States has meant learning a new language, navigating new systems, and rebuilding careers from scratch. Yet amid these challenges, Afghan entrepreneurs in St. Louis are proving that dreams can not only survive but thrive – even far from home. Two such inspiring figures are Mohammad Kaihan Noorzad and Negina Shinwari, recent winners of the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant.
At just 22 years old, Mohammad Kaihan Noorzad has already charted a bold course for his future. Originally from Afghanistan, he arrived in the U.S. in 2021 after the fall of Kabul and settled in St. Louis, determined to build a better life. Over the past three years, Mohammad has worked in an auto body shop, honing the skills he first learned back in Afghanistan. But he didn’t stop there.
“I brought the skills I had learned in Afghanistan and improved them here in the United States,” Mohammad explains. Fueled by ambition, he took the leap to register his own business as an LLC and now works for himself.
This June, his hard work was recognized when he received the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant. He credits his success to having both a solid business plan and hands-on experience. “I believe I was awarded the grant for two main reasons. First, my business idea and plan were strong and clear. Second, I had real hands-on experience in auto repair,” he shares.
Mohammad’s dream is to expand into a larger auto body shop—one that includes a mechanical shop, tire services, and bodywork. He hopes to grow his business into a company that employs 40 to 45 people, creating jobs and offering training for others in his community.
Negina Shinwari’s journey is equally inspiring but follows a different path. Back in Afghanistan, she was a medical student passionate about helping others. After arriving in St. Louis as a refugee, she found herself starting over completely.
Determined not to give up her dreams, Negina launched a small business offering affordable, high-quality South Asian clothing. “Many Afghan families want to stay connected to their culture, and clothing is an important part of that,” she explains. She also hopes to empower Afghan women by training and hiring housewives for stitching and tailoring work, building a business “by women, for women.”
Winning the 7th round of the Afghan Entrepreneurship Grant validated her vision. Her proposal highlighted both cultural preservation and women’s empowerment—a powerful combination.
Looking ahead, Negina hopes to open a physical store, expand her clothing line, and eventually complete her medical degree, all while continuing to uplift her community.
These young entrepreneurs remind us that while starting over is never easy, resilience, vision, and hard work can turn even the biggest challenges into new beginnings.
Read this and other articles in our journal: Afghan Journals
Feeling inspired? Apply now