Hana grew up in Baghdad, where food, groceries, and bakeries were always a family affair for her. Both her grandmother and mother owned stores there, and she and her brothers have fond memories of helping and playing in those stores when they were small children in Iraq. Today Hana is fulfilling her dream of having her own store. She recently Read More »
Meet Laylo from Somalia
Laylo was born in Somalia but grew up in Kenya. She came to Idaho in 2009 and loves it here. “Boise feels like a second home,” she says. “People are so helpful and welcoming, and we’ve made lots of friends.” Laylo experienced many ups and downs before coming to the United States, having spent 18 years in refugee camps. But Read More »
Meet Scholastique from Democratic Republic of Congo
Scholastique enrolled in EO’s Childcare Business Development Project because she loves kids and wanted to help support her family. She now runs a successful, licensed, in-home child care. She is proud to be a U.S. citizen and a business owner. “I am busy all the time taking care of two babies and four other young children,” she says. “I never Read More »
Meet Jaafar Jaafar from Iraq
Jaafar’s store, Al Ahmed Market, is a family business. Not only are important business matters discussed with the entire family, his store is the continuation of a dream started by his father. His dad had a similar business in Iraq, and Jaafar is continuing this tradition in the United States. His store is located at 4324 W. Overland Road in Read More »
Meet Christine
Meet Christine from Democratic Republic of Congo For hardworking Christine, family has always been her first priority. She loves running an in-home child care business out of her home because it enables her to meet her family’s needs. She says her family has health problems and other personal challenges, but they always make time to help each other. “I hope Read More »
Abdi Haji – Umoja Na Uhuru World Farm
If you’ve been to Boise’s Capital City Public Market, you’ve probably seen Abdi Haji of Umoja Na Uhuru World Farm. A refugee from Somalia, Abdi has been growing organic vegetables in the Treasure Valley since 2006, first with the Somali Bantu Community Farm in Eagle, then through Global Gardens, a program of the Idaho Office for Refugees. When Abdi decided Read More »
Valentine (Yao) Sessou-Djokotu – Valentino’s Hair Cut Up
Valentine Sessou-Djokutu came to the US from Togo after spending seven years in a refugee camp in Benin. He arrived with his wife and three children in March of 2007 already possessing 24 years experience as a barber. After attending Boise Barber College, he received a license and a certificate. EO helped him sublease a space from another EO client, Read More »
Sundus Tawfeeq – Babylon Market
Family is important to Sundus Tawfeeq. Her love for her family, which includes four children, is evident in the cheerful environment of her store, Babylon Market. A visit to Babylon Market reveals a clean, colorful and welcoming atmosphere filled with bright colors and exotic foods and products from the Middle East. But for Sundus, Babylon Market is more than just Read More »
Tino Silva – Intermountain Construction and Abatement
Tino Silva, owner of Intermountain Construction and Abatement, is living proof of the “American Dream. With EO’s help, a relationship with Zions Bank was built that ultimately helped him secure an SBA 7(a) loan and purchase the business at which he had worked for the past eight years. The previous owner of the company was ready to retire and thought Read More »
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