Yerevan, Armenia, June 16 – For the past three years, Susanna Barseghyan has been crafting natural dried fruits and unique dried-fruit candies in Qaghcrashen village, Ararat region, under her brand, Suebar. The company name, Suebar, is a blend of the first syllables of her name and surname. These special sweets, designed for health-conscious consumers, primarily use dried fruit raw materials processed from Susanna’s own garden. Apricot, apple, fig, plum, and peach dried fruits are sweetened with natural honey.
Community Support and Sustainable Sourcing
Susanna also contributes to her community by purchasing additional fruits needed for her natural dried products from her native Qaghcrashen village, fostering local economic growth and supporting fellow villagers.
Akba Federation and Impact Hub Fellowship
Suebar is a participant in the Akba Federation and Impact Hub fellowship program. This program provided Susanna with a year of business development training and consultations from mentors across various fields.
“The idea for the candies came about when my children decided to give up sugar. The only sweets we had at home were our dried fruits; we tried to make candies from them, and it worked! This is how our business idea was born,” said Susanna Barseghyan, founder of Suebar. “In our business, there came a time when we realized we lacked knowledge. We learned about the joint program of Akba Federation and Impact Hub, which we participated in, and over the course of a year, thanks to various mentors, we gained knowledge that we now apply in our business. I should also mention that we are fellowship winners and have received a grant, which we will use for our business development.”
Future Plans and Product Offerings
Susanna Barseghyan’s immediate goal is to expand Suebar and establish her own brand store. This store will feature a wide range of fresh natural dried fruits and constantly updated varieties of dried-fruit candies. Suebar sweets can be ordered by calling +37455330727.
Akba Federation’s Role in Regional Development
The Akba Federation is the sole significant participant in Akba Bank, holding over 75% of the bank’s shares. Through its participation in Akba Bank, the Akba Federation contributes to the development of agriculture, small and medium-sized businesses in rural areas, community development, and the revitalization and growth of the business environment in rural areas and communities throughout Armenia. It also aims to increase the well-being of individuals engaged in entrepreneurial activities in these sectors.
