“From Handmade to Brand: A Woman’s Sweet Journey”– Nailya Rustamova
With pride, we present Nailya Rustamova — an extraordinary businesswoman who has overcome personal trials and found her path in the world of entrepreneurship by creating a unique chocolate brand. Nailya has walked a long and inspiring journey of self-discovery. Determined and devoted to her work, she overcame all hardships and stepped confidently onto the road to success.She is the founder of a company that produces high-quality and unique chocolate products. The brand she has created embodies the harmony of taste, quality, and craftsmanship.Nailya is a living example of courage and the pursuit of dreams. Her work in chocolate production not only delights connoisseurs of taste but also inspires others to follow their passions and interests. She is a shining example of how listening to the voice of one’s soul can lead to the creation of miracles.
– Ms. Nailya, people around you know you as a strong and determined woman. Where does this strength come from?
– Yes, if people see me as strong and determined, it is not by chance. I approach every goal with resolve and never give in to the obstacles I encounter. Much of this strength stems from the difficulties I’ve faced and the experiences I’ve gone through. Every failure was a lesson, and every challenge an opportunity for me. And of course, the love and faith of my family and loved ones have always been the foundation that strengthens the power within me.
– Could you tell our readers more about yourself? How did your life path and career choices shape who you are today?
– My life path has always been directed toward creativity and bringing joy to others. Two years ago, my interest in chocolate led me into this field. The desire to create unique flavors and beautiful visuals with my own hands gave me not just a profession, but an art form. I researched, learned, experimented — and finally turned this passion into a brand: “N&N Sweet.”
For me, this journey is more than just a career; it’s a way of expressing my inner creative energy and forming deep connections with people.
– Have you tried yourself in different areas of life? In which ones did you succeed, and which initiatives didn’t go as planned?
– Yes, I have tried myself in different areas. Each field gave me life lessons and opportunities for growth. But my greatest success came in handmade chocolate making — because it came from within me. Some initiatives didn’t turn out as I had planned. But those failures helped me understand what I didn’t want and guided me toward a clearer direction. Every time I fell, I learned — and with each lesson, I moved forward.
– In your opinion, what were the reasons behind your failures in some fields? What did these experiences teach you?
– The main reasons behind the failures I faced in some areas were either a lack of preparation or poor planning. At times, acting on emotion rather than strategy also led to mistakes. However, these experiences taught me to be more rational and goal-oriented. Now I analyze every step and act in a more planned and purposeful way. This approach has helped me not only in my professional life but also to be more balanced in my personal life.
– What specifically led you to the chocolate business and to creating handmade products? Could you share the story behind entering this field?
– The main reason that brought me into this field was the desire to give shape to my creative thinking. I had long carried the dream of offering people delicious and aesthetically pleasing products made by my own hands. The first time I made chocolate at home for myself, I realized that it brought not only great taste but also deep emotional satisfaction. That feeling was so strong that it pushed me to turn this into a profession. The positive feedback from those around me became a powerful motivation — and that’s how “N&N Sweet” was born.
– What stages did you go through in building your own business? What challenges did you face, and how did you (and do you) overcome them?
– I started with the idea: What can I do differently? Then I moved on to the stages of product development, packaging design, presentation, and marketing through social media. The biggest challenge was the lack of resources and being unknown in the market. But instead of giving up in the face of difficulties, I looked for new ways forward. I believed in myself and in my product, and turned small wins into stepping stones toward greater goals. This journey continues today, and I keep learning with every step.
– As we understand, you started completely from scratch. What were your first steps? Where did the base, materials, and ideas come from?
– Yes, I started from zero. I had no professional equipment or specialized knowledge — just curiosity and determination. My first step was making chocolates in a simple home kitchen. I watched YouTube videos, searched for recipes, experimented, and improved over time. I bought ingredients in small quantities from local shops at first. The idea was simple but meaningful: to create unforgettable taste and aesthetic presentation for every person.
– Many women have potential but don’t know where to start. What advice would you give to women who are just beginning their journey?
– My most important advice: don’t wait. No one starts with perfection. Even the smallest step can lay the foundation for big change. Discover what interests you, understand what brings you joy, then research, practice, and keep working. Don’t listen to your fears, because the biggest failure is never starting at all. We women are capable of anything we set our minds to — all we need is belief and courage.
– Did you have a specific growth strategy for this business? What stages did you go through to reach your goals?
– I first focused on quality — I wanted to create perfect chocolates in both taste and appearance. Then I found the right visual language for social media and paid close attention to customer feedback. My strategy was phased:
- Product development
- Building a customer base
- Promoting through social media
- Adapting to customer feedback
- Expanding to broader markets in the future
To reach any goal, patience and a planned approach are essential — and I stayed true to that principle.
– What kept you going during the most difficult times? What gave you the inspiration to continue?
– In the hardest moments, an inner voice told me: “If you started this, you can do it.” The value people placed on my products, a simple “thank you,” a kind review — all of these gave me strength. Sometimes a child would smile while eating my chocolate — and that erased all the exhaustion. My love for what I do and my commitment to my purpose have been my greatest sources of motivation.
– What challenges did you face when trying to expand your business, and how did you overcome them?
– The desire to expand was always inside me, but one of the main obstacles was the limited financial and technical resources. I needed better equipment, more packaging materials, and marketing tools to produce at a larger scale. Another challenge was the lack of knowledge and access to the necessary platforms to reach a wider audience at the beginning.
But I didn’t see these obstacles as reasons to stop — I saw them as fuel for growth. I tried to get the most out of what I had. I made customer satisfaction my top priority, which led to more repeat orders. I became more active on social media and improved my presentation style. Most importantly — I never hesitated to learn and to ask questions.
– Could you share the most memorable moments of your journey to success? How did your success story begin and evolve into what it is today?
– The most unforgettable moment on my path to success was the day I received my first order. Something shifted in my heart that day — I was no longer someone who simply made chocolate for myself, but someone who brought joy and flavor into someone else’s day.
After that came the first customer review, the first post on social media, the first thank-you message — I remember them all. Each was like a step on a staircase, and with every step, I believed more in myself and loved the journey even more.
For me, success is not about millions in profit — it’s about thousands of grateful smiles.
– “Fortuna” means success. When did success first come your way, and how did it affect your life?
– Fortuna knocked on my door for the first time when I took a risk and shared my chocolates on social media. At first, I was hesitant — would people like them? Would I get any orders? Would this even work? And then — I received an order from someone I didn’t know.
That small success became a mirror for me — I saw myself in it and felt my potential. It showed me the way and encouraged me to take more confident steps. From that moment on, not only did my direction in life shift, but so did my motivation.
– What has been the turning point in your life, and how did that moment change you?
– The turning point in my life was the moment I put my fears aside and shared my creations for the first time. I remember thinking, “What if no one likes it?” But instead, the love and support I received significantly boosted my confidence.
That experience taught me that no success comes without taking a risk. From that day forward, I became more open, more creative, and more self-assured. My mindset changed — instead of fearing failure, I chose to try; instead of resisting criticism, I chose to learn.
– Lastly, with the experience and perspective you have today, what would you wish for yourself?
– With the experience and more mature perspective I have today, I would wish only one thing for myself: to never lose the passion I had on the very first day. Because loving what you do is the strongest foundation for success.
I hope that “N&N Sweet” reaches even wider audiences and leaves a delicious mark on more people’s memories. I hope I always remain hardworking, patient, honest, and creative. And I hope I never forget who I am and where I started — because those roots are the true source of my strength.
Interview conducted by:
Saida Musayeva,
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of “Fortuna” magazine.
