Beekeeping has been a family tradition for Hayk Soghomonyan for more than four generations. Originally from Martuni’s Bertashen village in Nagorno-Karabakh, Hayk learned the craft from his grandmother at a young age and eventually became the family’s main beekeeper. Alongside his practical experience, he earned degrees in Accounting and Agro-Management, combining agricultural expertise with business knowledge.
Following the 2020 war, Hayk and his family relocated to Armenia, eventually settling in the Armavir region. Determined to restore and grow his family business, he purchased 32 beehives and later expanded by acquiring 50 additional hives through a government support program.
Despite increasing production, outdated equipment limited efficiency and quality. Through Jinishian Memorial Foundation’s Youth Business Armenia (YBA) program, Hayk received financial support to modernize his operations with a honey extractor, canning machine, and other processing tools, significantly improving productivity and hygiene standards.
Beyond equipment, the program provided valuable business insight. Hayk shifted from bulk wholesale sales to branded retail packaging and direct customer sales, increasing his profit margins and strengthening his market presence.
Today, Hayk continues to scale production, develop branded packaging, and prepare for entry into supermarket chains in Armavir, with plans to expand to Yerevan. His journey reflects resilience, innovation, and the power of combining tradition with entrepreneurial vision.
