Lana Kochinyan Attains Exceptional Accomplishments Through AUA

3 min read

GLENDALE, California — In 2022, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Sarkis Cabayan Small & Emerging Business Development Program in Armenian Provinces With Scholarships for Women was launched to empower Armenian women entrepreneurs. 

The first round of the Cabayan Program welcomed women from Shirak, Lori, and Tavush, with the second round open to women from all regions of Armenia and Artsakh. The Program’s competitive selection requires submitting an application; taking an English language test; and interviewing before a three-person panel that will assess the applicant’s entrepreneurial inclinations and level of past involvement in business activities.

Lana Kochinyan, originally from Stepanakert, now residing in Vanadzor, took English level 2 classes as a potential participant in the Cabayan Program. Despite the devastating loss of her husband during the 2020 Artsakh War, Lana refused to let the tragedy define her life. She seized the opportunity provided by AUA locally to shape her new career path as an entrepreneur.

Lana had met her late husband, Davit Kochinyan, in Stepanakert, where he was serving as a major in the Artsakh army. They got married in 2016 and had two daughters. 

In 2018, they moved to Jabrayil, where Davit served as commander of the military unit there. In 2020, he was assigned to the peacekeeping division of the armed forces but later ended up on the frontlines of the war on October 12. Days later, on October 21, he tragically fell defending Hadrut in Artsakh. 

After the Azeris took control of Hadrut, Lana faced difficulties in locating Davit’s body for a proper burial. It wasn’t until later in December that he was laid to rest in his hometown of Vanadzor. Thus, Lana, together with her mother and daughters, moved to Vanadzor to be closer to her late husband.

As the sole provider for her family, Lana was responsible for raising her daughters on her own. With a background in psychology, finding work in her field proved rather challenging, if not impossible.

Consequently, she enrolled in sewing and modeling classes offered through a support program for families of fallen soldiers, and, in 2021, she took the bold step of starting her own business, Taguhis, meaning “my queen” in Armenian — that is how Davit used to refer to their daughters. 

Initially focused on custom children’s clothing, Lana expanded her business to meet the growing demand for adult dresses. Currently, she has several employees working in her atelier and is in process of further growing her business. Lana has successfully branched out to sportswear for children and adults and is filling orders from local retailers. “In order to reach income stability and be able to further expand, I will need more equipment,” she explains as a participant in the Sarkis Cabayan Small & Emerging Business Development Program in Armenian Provinces With Scholarships for Women.

Lana’s success personifies her perseverance and determination to succeed. Her story is inspiring and demonstrates that even in the darkest times, one can find hope through hard work and dedication. 

The program is committed to supporting such innovative, creative, risk taking, and business minded women across Armenia and Artsakh. 

For more information about the program, visit here.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.