EBRD and We‑Fi help Kunduz turn a simple idea into a thriving business

Have you ever thought about … socks? They are small, familiar items that accompany us through everyday life – simple and often unnoticed. Yet for Kunduz Asanalieva, socks were the starting point for an unexpected entrepreneurial journey. They were the spark that allowed her to dream bigger, build her Lucky Socks company and prove that high‑quality textile manufacturing has a future in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The story began in 2019, when Kunduz and her husband opened a modest studio with only a few machines and an even smaller team. Their goal was ambitious: to create socks that were not only well made but rooted in the local culture. Their very first products featured ethno‑inspired designs – patterns drawn from Kyrgyz traditions that made their socks instantly recognisable and unique.

In addition to building the business, Kunduz was also raising four children – then aged 10, 6, 4 and just 4 months. Her mornings started with preparations for school, and her nights often ended in the studio reviewing designs or checking production. With the support of her husband and a nanny who became part of the family, she learned to balance parenting with running the business.

Using consultancy and finance to support growth

When demand for her products increased, Kunduz recognised that she needed to change the way she managed her business. So, she decided to apply for consultancy support through the EBRD.

With the help of the EBRD and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), Kunduz hired a consultant and used the Kaizen method to improve the organisation of production, reduce waste and make her processes more efficient.

These improvements gave her new confidence. Soon after completing that advisory project, Kunduz decided to apply for a loan from the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB). With financing from KICB – a longstanding EBRD partner – Lucky Socks was able to expand its production facilities and continue growing.

Today, Lucky Socks employs around 100 people, operating more than 100 machines (including seamless knitting machines) and producing around 1,000 pairs of socks per day. The company’s product catalogue now boasts 1,500 unique designs, developed by a creative team that is constantly experimenting with colours and ideas. In addition to selling its products on the domestic market, Lucky Socks also exports to Kazakhstan.

The company now plans to build on its success by expanding its premium sock collections and launching a new line of high‑quality underwear. To support this next stage of its growth, Kunduz is preparing to apply for another loan from KICB.
Kunduz’s journey has always been driven by a strong commitment to empowering others. She has actively shared her experience as a member of the board of the Kurak women’s entrepreneurship organisation, a mentor under the EBRD’s Women in Business programme and a participant in the UN Women’s Entrepreneurship Expo.

Her message to other women entrepreneurs is simple:

“Believe in the impossible and don’t wait for the perfect moment – it doesn’t exist. Start now. Seek mentorship because it accelerates your growth. And never fear rejection. Women bring at least 20 per cent more value to the economy because of our resilience, creativity and leadership.”