Business helped me get out of the post-war crisis ․ Narine Grigoryan

Narine Grigoryan lives and works in her favorite city, Stepanakert. He is the head of the laboratory of the Artsakh Scientific Center, teaches at “Grigor Narekatsi” University.

In June 2020, Narine, a chemist by profession, founded her business – Grigoryan’s natural cosmetics, which presents delicacies, lotions and more. In a conversation with WomenNet.am, Narine Grigoryan told how the hobby became a business, how the business helped her overcome the insurmountable, stress and crisis after the war.

It all started with my skin problems

I was 22 years old when I had facial skin problems, darkening and wrinkles. I tried different creams, even for children, but to no avail. I sought medical help, but they could not help me. I started looking for solutions myself, trying to make creams.

True, it failed once or twice, but then I succeeded. Not only did I succeed, but I felt the positive effect on my own skin.

It was 2016, I was teaching at school. I told my students that I make delicacies, which I use myself, my acquaintances also use, but it is amateur. One of them, Anastasia, said, “Ms. Grigoryan, I imagine you will have Grigoryan’s production or Grigoryan’s natural cosmetics brand, and wherever I go, I will see Grigoryan’s.” She said with a smile and wide-open eyes, as if she really saw.

There was so much positive energy in her words. I do not literally remember what I said, but I remember my emotions and inspiration, why not, I can try.

I have a separate corner in the house where I make the assortment. It is true that I still provide all the necessary conditions, but I want to have a small laboratory. I make it myself, first it requires delicacy, and then it is my discovery․ I do not even share small work secrets with family members. They support me in packing and shipping.

Before I got married, my parents helped me. They did not save time and money. I tried a lot before I got the result, but they always believed in me. Even now they believe that I will have greater success.

We carry out research in different directions at the Artsakh Scientific Center, which helps me a lot in business. Recently, together with the Institute of Molecular Biology, we studied the herbs growing in the territory of Armenia and Artsakh. We have singled out those that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, as well as prepare a synergistic extract, a group of several herbs that have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. I also use this extract in the composition of my creams and lotions.

My first clients were my colleagues at the Artsakh Science Center, and then the circle expanded.

From a young age, I dreamed of helping people solve some problems, making someone happy, giving them a smile. This is what inspired me, gave me the strength to share what I have created with others, so that more people have healthy skin and are well-groomed.

I connect my success with giving people a positive. Girls often do not want to look closely at their faces or look for special effects on the phone, just take pictures to look beautiful, but after using my delicacies, they do not face such a problem anymore. The product is made of natural raw materials, I do not use preservatives. My students, who are already my clients, joke asking if there are creams to eat? I say there is.

After the war we moved to Yerevan. The war had a profound effect on me. I have not gotten out of stress so far. My business has helped me to be able to get out of that crisis more or less.

Now there are very difficult times in Artsakh. The serenity that exists, inspires me more fear than confidence ․ It is an uncertain calm. I am waiting for something bad every moment. I do not want to wait, it turns out regardless of me.

Sometimes the situation makes us think about leaving, but we must be strong enough to endure so that we can at least preserve what we have, the land we protected at the cost of our sons’ blood. This should be our only problem.

As for Grigoryan’s upcoming plans, we will soon have complex oils for hair care, such as natural shampoos, scalp and facial soaps.

The product will soon be presented in pharmacies and cosmetics stores, as it gives the skin “health and beauty”.

Our main goal is to stay in nature ․ No steps towards chemicals.

Full text in Armenian