Empowering Entrepreneurs – Three Georgian Women Share Their Stories

Not far from Kutaisi, in the old mineral spa town of Tskaltubo, pensioner Nunu Toradze describes how she managed to both increase her income and expand her social circle by doing what she loves most – hosting guests. 

Once a bustling spa town with over 20 mineral water sanatoria – of which only 3 are active today – Tskaltubo may have lost many of its foreign visitors, but not its resort charm.

Nunu fondly recalls “the old days” when she was able to host guests from all over the Soviet Union. By the late 1990s, however, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, her house had fallen into such a dilapidated condition that she was no longer able to welcome people. 

That all changed thanks to a micro-grant from Elkana. With the funds, Nunu was able to renovate three bedrooms and a bathroom in her two-story guesthouse. She then secured another small grant from Enterprise Georgia and managed to buy new furniture. And, with help from her grand-daughter, Nunu advertised her guesthouse on a well-known global travel website. She now receives tourists from Georgia, Azerbaijan, and even countries in Western Europe.

Unlike many pensioners in Georgia, Nunu does not depend financially on her family. On the contrary, thanks to income from her guesthouse, she can help them financially when needed.

Just as important for Nunu, however, is the opportunity to meet and socialize with guests from near and far. Even though breakfast is not included in the room price, she is pleased to prepare tea and sweet treats for her guests every morning.

“The Elkana project has helped me earn my own income and, fortunately, there is always someone in my house, so I am never alone,” she says with a smile.

Nunu is confident about the future of her business. Both her daughter and grand-daughter are involved in running the guesthouse. Shrugging away a question about barriers to women running businesses in Georgia, Nunu stresses the importance of the financing from Elkana. All other challenges she can manage on her own. “I am a business woman,” Nunu says proudly.