Syeda’s Journey
Syeda—the mother of Mai Soli founder Aria Mustary—is the inspiration for our organization.
Her story begins the same way as millions of other girls in Bangladesh. Pulled out of school at
age 15, Syeda was forced into marriage with a man twice her age. She was then moved to the
United States, where she had two children and suffered through 16 years of a difficult marriage. With a largely absent husband, and no specific skills, she did all she could to support her husband’s failed attempts at business.
Along the way though, she learned the hard lessons of business failure, and the skills necessary
to succeed. She soon broke away from her forced marriage, successfully rebuilt her ex-
husband’s failed business from the ground up, supported her daughters, and became an icon and role model in her community. For Syeda, entrepreneurship was a form of survival. The Mai Soli Foundation aims to help young girls harness the power of entrepreneurship as a path out of
child marriage–and towards an enriching and empowering life.
A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER
"I am inspired every day by my mother's sacrifices as well as our bright Mai Soli Girls and Mentors. When we continue to dive into potential of these brilliant girls, it creates an everlasting, chain reaction in their communities, and in the world. All they need are the resources. I am grateful to all who are continuing to support us. Let's join together to show true impact and change the lives of millions"