By: Ksenia Vorontsova

There are constant debates in the world about the purpose of a woman. Many advocate for the “either family or career” option. There are still those who cling to the stereotype that a woman’s place is in the kitchen. However, credit must be given to those who believe that a woman can always find a balance between home and work, whether it’s employment or running her own business. A shining example of harmoniously combining love, family, work, and hobbies is the successful businesswoman from Kazakhstan, the founder and head of the American Educational Development Center for Children, “Allem”, Gaukhar Urazgaliyeva. She has managed to find the best solution to the challenging puzzle of “family or career” and has realized herself not only as an individual, wife, and mother but also as a businesswoman.

Gaukhar has been a creative child since her early years. Studying at the specialized school for gifted children, “Nurgisa Tlendiyev Small Academy of Arts” in Kazakhstan, with a focus on “Folk Singing”, she stood out from her peers with an extraordinary thirst for knowledge and high social activity. She dedicated a lot of time to playing the piano and dombra – a Kazakh traditional instrument. She showcased her abilities by participating in literary Olympiads, all school and city events, and music festivals. Another strong passion of hers, which significantly influenced her future professional activities and accompanies her to this day, is reading books.

Despite her creative nature, Gaukhar earned her bachelor’s degree in “Economics” from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. At that time, she faced the question of how to reconcile her love for art, music, and reading with an economic education while still earning a living. She had no doubt that it would involve starting her own business, especially considering the vivid example of her two sisters: the older one founded and leads her own brand, Azel Design Studio, and the middle one, after achieving professional success in the financial sector, is also successfully developing her own business.

Business ideas in the education sector were developed for several years. The decision came after the birth of the second child, sparking active efforts to implement the project. In 2018, Gaukhar opened the “Allem” American Educational Development Center for children aged 2.5 to 7 in the heart of Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana. The center also offers after-school activities for schoolchildren. “Allem” is a unique place with a psychologically comfortable environment, where knowledgeable and caring educators nurture the positive qualities, intelligence, and creative abilities of their charges, providing opportunities for their self-realization in society. In addition to a carefully crafted educational program based on the American system, the center offers classes in music, dance, art, and sports.

Thanks to a unique teaching methodology continually developed and perfected by Gaukhar, children easily gain admission to the most prestigious schools in Kazakhstan and international middle schools. For five years, “Allem” has been one of the best and high-quality educational centers in preschool education in Astana. Today, the institution has proven its demand in the educational services market, patented its brand, opened a second branch in the capital of Kazakhstan, and launched a franchise throughout the CIS.

A prominent aspect of Gaukhar’s biography is her passion for reading literature of various genres. She loves reading books on business, psychology, fiction, and autobiographies of great individuals. She dedicates much time to reading children’s books, fostering their interest and love for reading, which serves as an effective tool for developing their creative and logical skills. As part of her mission as an entrepreneur, she opened her English Children’s Library and the first English Children’s Reading Club in Kazakhstan with the goal of increasing the nation’s readership.

Not long ago, Gaukhar embarked on the realization of her latest idea – writing her own autofiction book titled “DNA of a Successful Business Lady”. To accomplish this, she attended the “Get Published” writing school in Russia. The book will be crafted as a step-by-step guide to opening and running a business for women. In it, the author will share her life experiences, illustrating how women can successfully fulfill themselves while harmoniously balancing career and family life.

Currently, Gaukhar is undergoing training at the Cartier Academy entrepreneur, a platform for entrepreneurs from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. This platform provides participants with the opportunity to prepare for complex procedures in applying for global initiatives, to view their businesses from a different perspective, and to become part of a community of entrepreneurs who are changing the world.

Our protagonist has plenty to surprise the world with and to make it a better place. Her current plans include conducting research in the field of American preschool education for the future establishment of children’s educational centers in the United States and the implementation of her unique methodology in the country’s educational institutions. This will impact various aspects of Americans’ daily lives and, importantly, enhance America’s position as the world’s most literate nation. As Aliko Dangote, the wealthiest person in Africa, once said, “Being an entrepreneur is a journey, and it’s worth it”.